HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS (Wednesday, May 9, 2018)   RACE 1: #2 Kiwi Sunrise, #1 Formula Galore, #7 Paddington, #10 Golden Deer RACE 2: #7 Seventy Seventy, #6 Buoyant Boy, #8 Beaut Beaut, #11 Oriental Elite RACE 3: #1 Go Go Win, #9 Polymer Luck, #6 Ultimate Dream, #7 You Have My Word RACE 4: #2 Kiram, #3 Multigogo, #12 Association Fans, #5 Happy And Healthy RACE 5: #1 Starlight, #5 Harrier Jet, #4 Encore Boy, #8 Mr Picasso RACE 6: #3 Magnetism, #2 Friends Of Ka Ying, #10 Dukedom, #11 Super Sprinter RACE 7: #1 Patriot Hero, #12 Lucky Time, #8 Har Har Heart, #9 The Judge RACE 8: #1 Fast Most Furious, #7 Back In Black, #2 Storm Signal, #3 Amazing   RACE 1: HO CHUNG RIVER HANDICAP #2 Kiwi Sunrise may have finished 11th last time out, but he couldn’t build momentum at any stage in the straight after being checked a number of times. He returns to Happy Valley with Joao Moreira jumping aboard from a good gate and he should be very hard to beat here. #1 Formula Galore drops into Class 5 for the first time in nearly two years. He’s been placed at both runs in this grade and with Zac Purton returning to his back for the first time since September, he’s a legitimate player. #7 Paddington has been something of a disappointment in Hong Kong. Still, there have been flashes of talent at times. He deserves inclusion. #10 Golden Deer was once competitive in Class 2, but he has fallen almost 60 points from his highest rating. He is capable of improving at any time.   RACE 2: KAM TIN RIVER HANDICAP #7 Seventy Seventy would probably be best suited by a step up in trip, but the switch to Happy Valley with the blinkers on could bring him to life. He has trialled well around the circuit before and his back-stretch turf gallop last week with the headgear on caught the eye. #6 Buoyant Boy is racing well currently and should get every chance to finish around the placings here. He’s a danger with even luck. #8 Beaut Beaut has only won one of his 12 starts, but he has been fairly consistent recently. He should be in the mix again from a middle gate. #11 Oriental Elite has a nice turn of foot but needs to be ridden accordingly. He might be able to pick up some minor prizemoney.   RACE 3: NG TUNG RIVER HANDICAP #1 Go Go Win ran well on the dirt last time out, but his best has always come at Happy Valley. His record over 1650m is better, but he has placed both times up to 1800m and if he can control the tempo, he will be hard to run down. #9 Polymer Luck ran fourth at his only course and distance run in March. He was up near the speed that day too and should end up either outside the leader or one pair back here. He’s a player. #6 Ultimate Dream is slowly coming to hand and is not far from turning the corner. #7 You Have My Word is cutting back in trip drastically, but he has looked a different horse this season.   RACE 4: THE HONG KONG RACEHORSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION 40TH ANNIVERSARY TROPHY #2 Kiram is well-placed in this grade, having recorded four top-four finishes from four starts in Class 4. He gets into a better draw now and he should have every chance to return to the winners’ circle. #3 Multigogo missed an intended run last month but he’d been game to win prior to that over this course and distance. He should push forward again and he should be the one they all have to run down. #12 Association Fans has a good draw and can get into the placings, while #5 Happy And Healthy can defy the outside gate to get into the finish.   RACE 5: SHAN PUI RIVER HANDICAP #1 Starlight was one of the stars of the early part of this season, winning three of his first four races. He hit a snag when he got up into Class 2, but back at this rating now with Zac Purton jumping back aboard, he should be right in the mix. #5 Harrier Jet is hard to catch but he’s talented on his day. He should enjoy every chance from the inside gate. #4 Encore Boy finally broke through last time after finally drawing a good barrier. With another kind draw, he’s right in the mix again. #8 Mr Picasso returns from almost seven months on the sidelines. He’s quirky, but he’s got the capacity to win one of these off his current mark.   RACE 6: THE SAUTERNES CUP #3 Magnetism doesn’t win out of turn but he has been racing well in recent starts, boxing on well enough. He is at his best at this track and distance and he should enjoy a nice tracking run from gate one. With luck, he’s right in contention. #2 Friends Of Ka Ying is having his fourth run for trainer Caspar Fownes. His last effort indicated that Fownes was figuring the galloper out and the booking of Zac Purton is a positive. #10 Dukedom has been racing well enough. He’s shown little at Happy Valley in the past but this might be the right style of race for him. #11 Super Sprinter is at a tempting mark.   RACE 7: TAN SHAN RIVER HANDICAP #1 Patriot Hero drops to Class 3 for the first time. He’s been disappointing in three runs since producing a nice third behind Ruthven over the Sha Tin 1800m in early March. Still, if he can run to that level, he’s a major player here against just a fair field. #12 Lucky Time steps up to Class 3 for the first time after placing at his last four runs down in grade. With Matthew Poon aboard, he only carries 112 pounds and, despite an awkward draw, he’s a contender in this spot. #8 Har Har Heart is racing well enough and looms as some chance for Joao Moreira, while Moreira’s championship rival Zac Purton also can’t be dismissed aboard last-start winner #9 The Judge.   RACE 8: SHAN PUI RIVER HANDICAP #1 Fast Most Furious sprinted clear for a nice win last time out. The Irish import looks to have more in hand and he can make it two on the trot under Zac Purton here. #7 Back In Black was a five-time course and distance winner two seasons back, but it is two years this week since his last victory. He showed last time out that he was nearing a competitive mark again and he’s a danger. #2 Storm Signal went within a nose of victory last start. He’s sure to have his admirers and there’s no doubt he is a chance. #3 Amazing has drawn well and, with two runs under his belt since returning from a long break, he can improve. :: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, and analysis