Andrew Hawkins' Hong Kong Selections and analysis for Wednesday, October 19, 2016

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, October 19, 2016)

RACE 1: #3 St Yazin, #1 Safari Magic, #2 Showing Character, #8 Major Connection
RACE 2: #3 France Valour, #6 Flying Machine, #10 Win Chance, #2 Island Flyer
RACE 3: #4 High Volatility, #10 Yo-Yo Da, #9 Shining Champion, #2 Wild Boy
RACE 4: #6 Love Chunghwa, #9 Haymaker, #3 Electronic Empire, #7 Nashashuk
RACE 5: #10 Team Sweet, #7 A Beautiful, #2 Inventor, #3 Dinozzo
RACE 6: #1 Go Go Win, #4 Super Sprinter, #8 Rewarding Flyer, #2 Unleashed Dragon
RACE 7: #10 Victory Marvel, #1 Verbinsky, #4 Choice Treasure, #12 Enreaching
RACE 8: #12 Sweet Home, #3 Presidentparamount, #2 Happy Bao Bei, #9 Golden Chopsticks

RACE 1: TAI LAM CHUNG HANDICAP

Veteran #3 St Yazin drops into Class 5 for the first time at his 58th Hong Kong start. He gets back in his races but the 1000m has always been his best trip and Douglas Whyte jumps on from gate 1. Another old-timer #1 Safari Magic is a consistent type over further, but his only win since his debut season came over this trip in November last year. #2 Showing Character can bounce back from a failure last week now that he has the blinkers off, while #8 Major Connection could be a sneaky improver back to Happy Valley with Zac Purton jumping on.

RACE 2: PLOVER COVE HANDICAP

Once upon a time, #3 France Valour was matching motors with the likes of globetrotting stayer Flintshire and last year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up Max Dynamite. While they’ve gone to greater heights, he has found his way into Class 5 at Happy Valley, albeit rather quickly. His last effort was an improvement, although he was still very dour. Still, from a better gate, he can finally break through in Hong Kong. #6 Flying Machine has been well-backed at both starts this preparation but is yet to flatter. He draws better here than last start and is now at a point in the ratings where he should be winning. #10 Win Chance and #2 Island Flyer are stalwarts of the Class 5 staying ranks and both are among the chances again.

RACE 3: KAM SHAN HANDICAP

#4 High Volatility arrived in Hong Kong with form around Rapper Dragon, who runs in the Sha Tin Trophy on Sunday, but he has gone backwards and now finds himself in the middle of Class 4. He finally gets a senior jockey aboard in Zac Purton, and while he has drawn the outside, he can turn his fortunes around here. #10 Yo-Yo Da ran well again last time out and draws another good gate. He’s always thereabouts. #9 Shining Champion was impressive last start and can offset the rise in class with 13 pounds less to carry. Next best, #2 Wild Boy with Joao Moreira aboard.

RACE 4: KAM SHAN HANDICAP

#6 Love Chunghwa ran some good races last season but he really came to life last start at his first run for Benno Yung. He is awkwardly drawn here but he only needs to run to that level to be a chance here. #9 Haymaker is inconsistent but Nash Rawiller looks a good booking for him and he did make up solid ground late along the rail at his last run. #3 Electronic Empire is an interesting runner here – he has drawn poorly at two starts today, and while his debut was a disaster, he actually ran a decent 10th last time out. Zac Purton goes on from the inside, so expect a better effort. #7 Nashashuk still looks quite raw and unsure of what he is doing, but he is the mount of Joao Moreira and is liable to improvement at any time.

RACE 5: THE FAKEI CUP

A very competitive Class 3 here. #10 Team Sweet has looked on the verge of winning again for some time now, but was slightly disappointing at his first run up in class last start. The Happy Valley 1650m should suit him and in-form Sam Clipperton is a good booking from an ideal gate. #7 A Beautiful has gone off at short odds both starts this preparation, and while he was better last time out, he still found two better. He now goes up in class but drops 19 pounds, and he gets Joao Moreira aboard. He will likely be short again. #2 Inventor has come into his own over the Happy Valley 1650m, winning three in a row at the course and distance. He had all favours first-up but his streak may not be over yet. #3 Dinozzo makes his Hong Kong debut here after a number of trials. A forward showing wouldn’t surprise.

RACE 6: HIGH ISLAND HANDICAP

#1 Go Go Win is a consistent type in Class 4, and he comes into this in good form. The draw is a negative, but the return to Happy Valley is a positive and if he can get across easy enough, he’s right in the mix. #4 Super Sprinter is likely to be sent off favourite here with a better draw. He’s been getting back in his races and charging home but the gate might allow him to settle further forward here, and if so, he’s a leading contender. #8 Rewarding Flyer is racing well and should get into the perfect spot, while #2 Unleashed Dragon looks the type who should be suited to Happy Valley.

RACE 7: THE AMERICAN CLUB CHALLENGE CUP

It might pay to stick with #10 Victory Marvel here, with the four-year-old striking an easier race this time around than last time out. The race will probably set up similarly, with Chad Schofield likely to have him in the box seat from the inside gate, so he will need breaks to go his way at the top of the straight. #1 Verbinsky was impressive enough last time out and remains in Class 3 for this. He has a good draw again and can make his presence felt. #4 Choice Treasure can be expected to improve with a slightly better draw and with the booking of Sam Clipperton, while #12 Enreaching has improved with every start and looks to get a nice run here.

RACE 8: TAI TAM HANDICAP

#12 Sweet Home has shown glimpses of form to date. He looks well in the mornings, he gets down to the bottom of Class 3 and he gets Joao Moreira aboard, so he can be chanced with some confidence. #3 Presidentparamount flew home for second last start in a good effort. He is better suited over 1400m but he might get the race shape again to suit him. #2 Happy Bao Bei is racing well and will likely be in the perfect spot from the inside gate, while consistent grey #9 Golden Chopsticks got home well last time out and is always worth including in exotics.