Andrew Hawkins' Hong Kong selections and analysis for Wednesday, January 17, 2018

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS

(Wednesday, January 17, 2018)

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

RACE 1: #10 Gouten Of Garo, #6 Majestic Dragon, #11 Lunar Zephyr, #3 Zero Hedge

RACE 2: #2 Goal For Gold, #3 The Legend, #1 Amazing Always, #4 Winning Controller

RACE 3: #2 All Best Friends, #1 Peace On Earth, #7 Magic Success, #12 Bingo

RACE 4: #8 Planet Star, #10 Charity Wings, #1 The Judge, #6 Don't Miss

RACE 5: #5 Sangria, #3 Happy Contender, #4 High Volatility, #10 Amazing Gold

RACE 6: #8 Powermax, #11 Royal Mojito, #12 Phantom Falcon, #7 Champion Pride

RACE 7: #3 Calculation, #2 Chater Legend, #5 Heroic Guru, #6 Play Wise

RACE 8: #7 Cheerfuljet, #9 Star Of Joy, 8 Smart Boy, #4 Blaze Stamina

RACE 1: MURRAY HANDICAP

#10 Gouten Of Garo showed plenty in the trials but has been slightly disappointing in two starts to date. He did show more last time out, though, and the switch to Happy Valley may prove a positive, so he’s worth chancing here. Debutant #6 Majestic Dragon has trialled well and galloped nicely in blinkers. He’s one to watch first time out. #11 Lunar Zephyr is a chance from the inside gate as he should get a nice run. Likewise, #3 Zero Hedge should be around the mark from barrier two.

RACE 2: LAMBETH HANDICAP

#2 Goal For Gold makes his first appearance in Class 5, having arrived from Ireland rated 84. He has run a number of nice races in the higher grades and his last run was enough to suggest he could break through at his 34th Hong Kong start in the cellar grade. #3 The Legend hasn’t shown a great deal in six starts but his last start was an improvement and from a nice gate, he looks capable of figuring down in class. #1 Amazing Always has won five of his nine starts in this grade. He must be included. #4 Winning Controller should be in the mix.

RACE 3: ICE HOUSE HANDICAP

#2 All Best Friends has taken time to acclimatise to Hong Kong. The former Australian galloper has run some nice races, though, and with blinkers applied, he can figure at his first run in Class 4. #1 Peace On Earth has also drawn nicely and has performed well at his last two starts. He’s a major contender again. #7 Magic Success improved for his first run, making ground into third last time out. He should be in the mix at his Happy Valley debut. #12 Bingo can hang around for some minor money.

RACE 4: EDINBURGH HANDICAP

#8 Planet Star steps up to 1650m for the first time. He is racing like he would appreciate further, so perhaps he’s worth a chance here. #10 Charity Wings was progressing well until a poor last-start effort when drawn wide and trapped deep throughout. He has a kinder draw in gate three and should be able to figure. #1 The Judge gets Zac Purton aboard and can be somewhere around the mark. #6 Don't Miss is capable of further improvement after breaking through last start.

RACE 5: CONNAUGHT HANDICAP

#5 Sangria is proving a frustrating horse to follow but there is no doubt that the Spanish galloper is nearing a win. The step up to 1800m should prove suitable and makes another wide gate, 10, less of a negative than at 1650m. #3 Happy Contender placed at his only start in the grade two back. He might find this a tad short but he can be around the mark. #4 High Volatility was only caught late last time out over this course and distance and should have every chance again. #10 Amazing Gold is a place chance.

RACE 6: THE HONG KONG CLUB CHALLENGE CUP

#8 Powermax didn’t fire over the Sha Tin 1400m at his last start in November, missing the top four for the first time in his 14-start career. A return to the Happy Valley 1200m looks a plus, as do the blinkers going on again, and he should be hard to topple here. #11 Royal Mojito is heading the right way and with even luck, he should be right in the finish. #12 Phantom Falcon should be around the mark if Dylan Mo can get him into a nice position from gate 10. #7 Champion Pride looks to have ability on his British form and he’s a place chance on debut in Hong Kong.

RACE 7: CHATER HANDICAP

#3 Calculation keeps running good races but hasn’t been able to break through since a win at the end of last season at Sha Tin. He failed at his only Happy Valley attempt in October but if he can settle closer this time around, he is surely a leading player. #2 Chater Legend has performed well in a couple of races recently from poor gates. He now has the inside and if he can settle closer, he’s a chance. #5 Heroic Guru is wayward but his last run suggests he’s nearing another win. #6 Play Wise ran well on debut before failing to find last time when pulling up with mucus in his trachea. It may prove worthwhile to forget that run.

RACE 8: CLUB STREET HANDICAP

#7 Cheerfuljet has put it together at his last two starts to win easily. He steps up to Class 3 now and strikes a race with more pressure, but the manner of his recent wins suggests he is capable of winning again on his current mark. #9 Star Of Joy is yet to find the winners’ circle but has rarely run a poor race. One day, it’s all going to fall into place for him, and that could transpire here. 8 Smart Boy is racing well and, while the gate is awkward, he should have every chance gain. #4 Blaze Stamina looks to be finding form again and deserves inclusion.