Andrew Hawkins' Hong Kong selections and analysis for Saturday, February 2, 2019

SHA TIN SELECTIONS

(Saturday, February 2, 2019)

:: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, and analysis

RACE 1: #10 Ruminare, #7 Happy Sound, #3 District Express, #5 Massive Move

RACE 2: #3 Lucky Shiny Day, #11 Corre Rapido, #8 Court Ruler, #13 Little Fantasy

RACE 3: #7 Shining Ace, #2 Meridian Genius, #6 Lucky Thought, #4 Brilliant

RACE 4: #9 Wonder Express, #4 Speedy Dragon, #2 Glenealy Generals, #8 Loriz

RACE 5: #10 Hurricane Hunter, #9 Fun Times, #1 Chairman Lo, #6 Family Leader

RACE 6: #11 Alcazar, #8 Radiant Bunny, #3 Good Fit, #9 Art Of Raw

RACE 7: #3 Tornado Twist, #7 Mighty Maverick, #8 Diamond Rhyme, #10 Sonic Fighter

RACE 8: #4 Top Laurels, #3 Super Man, #10 Unicron Jewellery, #6 Tang Fleming

RACE 9: #2 Marzouq, #11 Happy Sebring, #3 Rule Thee, #1 Classic Beauty

RACE 10: #11 Enrichment, #7 Circuit Number Two, #6 Good Standing, #8 Epic

RACE 1: JOCKEY CLUB ROAD HANDICAP

#10 Ruminare has been a disappointment throughout his Hong Kong career. That said, he now gets right down in the weights and, if he can muster the speed to get somewhere near the pace-setters, he could finally break through for a first win. #7 Happy Sound won over this course and distance earlier this season, but he was pretty flat when trying it again in December. His last two efforts were just fair, but back to this trip, he’s not without claims. #3 District Express drops sharply in trip. It might just be the making of him and he’s capable of progressing off a last-start third. #5 Massive Move has performed well over this trip in the past and looks well-placed here.

RACE 2: NG TUNG RIVER HANDICAP

#3 Lucky Shiny Day ran well on dirt a couple of times up in Class 4, including once behind potential Dubai World Cup aspirant Elusive State in July. He now gets onto the surface for the first time in Class 5 with Joao Moreira engaged and it does appear as though this is his best chance yet to score a first win. #11 Corre Rapido is a frustrating horse to follow – after 19 winless starts, it’s hard to believe he was sent out a 2/1 favourite on debut ahead of a horse that’s now become a Class 2 mainstay, Bravo Watchman. Still, if ever a win is going to come, it’s likely to be on dirt over a mile or 1800m. This might be his time to shine. #8 Court Ruler – not to be confused with the 2009 Queensland Derby winner – showed a first sign of life last time out. The dirt looks a good move and he’s not without a hope. #13 Little Fantasy is racing well enough to win with no weight.

RACE 3: YIN KONG HANDICAP

#7 Shining Ace, trained by John Size, steps out for the first time. A Size first-starter should always be respected and he’s trialled well enough to suggest he can show up at start number one. #2 Meridian Genius had a torrid passage on debut, but his last outing suggests that the natural ability exists for him to be able to break through quickly. He’s not without claims. #6 Lucky Thought should excel over further, but he looks to have been well-prepared for his initial outing and he’s in contention here. #4 Brilliant may be overlooked by the market but his quiet trial in preparation for this suggested he was one to watch first time out.

RACE 4: TSUNG PAK LONG HANDICAP

#9 Wonder Express has trialled nicely ahead of his debut. The eye-catching Pierro gelding looks a ready-made racehorse and he can win on debut. #4 Speedy Dragon has put two wins together at his last two starts. It remains to be seen how much higher he can go but he has struck another suitable race and he can’t be completely dismissed. #2 Glenealy Generals won narrowly on debut when drawn well over the straight 1000m. He has the same gate here but it becomes a nasty draw over the 1200m. Still, he appears capable of backing it up at start two. #8 Loriz isn’t without claims at start one.

RACE 5: LONG VALLEY HANDICAP

#10 Hurricane Hunter won nicely in December before having absolutely no luck under Zac Purton last time out. If he has just an ounce of luck in this spot, he’s the one to beat. #9 Fun Times has improved with every start. His last effort behind Picken was good and, even though it would be better seeing him up to 1600m, he’s a contender in this spot. #1 Chairman Lo has finished second at his last two starts. He’s gone up five points, so essentially a win, for those placings. Still, he’s likely to be somewhere around the mark again. #6 Family Leader can finish in the placings.

RACE 6: KWU TUNG HANDICAP

#11 Alcazar returns to the dirt here but steps up to the 1650m for the first time, which looks a smart move. If there is a solid speed up front, he should be able to enjoy a nice trail and, if he can settle – a big if – he can finish off over the top. #8 Radiant Bunny is amazingly still a Hong Kong maiden after 23 starts. He feels like he’s been around forever, but there’s enough in his recent form to suggest he could get into the finish here. #3 Good Fit is racing well and always deserves respect in these sorts of races. #9 Art Of Raw is finding form again and could run another nice race here without surprising.

RACE 7: THE PEARCE MEMORIAL CHALLENGE CUP

#3 Tornado Twist has been very impressive at his last two starts, scoring two big wins. There’s no reason he can’t make it three on the trot, given he looks to still have points in hand. #7 Mighty Maverick ran poorly last time out when unable to adopt a forward position. If he can end up near the speed here, he’s the main threat to the favourite. #8 Diamond Rhyme drops back to 1200m here, but he also gets blinkers for the first time and he is interesting here. #10 Sonic Fighter pulled up with an irregular heart rhythm last time out. He’s competitive if he can return to his best.

RACE 8: KAM TSIN HANDICAP

#4 Top Laurels stepped out on the dirt for the first time last time out. He couldn’t find a clear passage through but he fought back strongly late. He has been racing well this season and he can score a second Hong Kong win here with even luck. #3 Super Man is honest and can’t be overlooked, even stepping up to the extended trip that has found him out in the past. #10 Unicron Jewellery failed to hit the board in two course and distance attempts, both off a similar mark. He is racing well now though and he’s a chance in this spot. #6 Tang Fleming is an outside hope.

RACE 9: HO SHEUNG HEUNG HANDICAP

#2 Marzouq disappointed fresh over 1400m, however he didn’t have the clearest of runs and he ended up in an awkward position before making steady late ground. Stepping up to this trip should suit and he can figure despite the wide gate. #11 Happy Sebring ran well at his first course and distance start last time out. He deserves respect in this spot. #3 Rule Thee is racing honestly and can’t be ruled out. #1 Classic Beauty drops to Class 3 for the first time. The former London Icon gets blinkers for the first time and he creates interest.

RACE 10: BEAS RIVER HANDICAP

#11 Enrichment has run well in two Hong Kong starts to date, both well-spaced. The John Size-trained galloper, who was G2-placed in Australia when named Belfast, finally gets stable rider Joao Moreira aboard and looks set to put his best foot forward here as he aims towards next month’s BMW Hong Kong Derby. #7 Circuit Number Two has been off the scene since October, having had some minor issues after a last-start course and distance third. He is another who looks a Derby horse in the making, having been a stablemate of Enrichment’s when both were in Australia (trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young). He’s worth including here. One horse who is not on a Derby path is #6 Good Standing, having missed his opportunity at the classic last year. He’s had a chequered Hong Kong career, but he will get into the finish one of these days. #8 Epic, formerly known as Merlin Magic, can run a bold race at his Hong Kong debut.