Andrew Hawkins' Hong Kong selections and analysis for Wednesday, October 3, 2018

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS

(Wednesday, October 3, 2018)

RACE 1: #8 Jolly Amber, #6 Kwaichung Brothers, #7 Triumphal Win, #10 Little Fantasy

RACE 2: #1 Giant Turtle, #4 Sky Melody, #6 Faithful Trinity, #2 Cheerful Star

RACE 3: #2 Impeccable Fellow, #4 Bundle Of Energy, #8 Captain Boss, #1 Electric Lightning

RACE 4: #5 Thou Shall Sing, #2 Powermax, #10 Fox Cheunger, #1 Mickey Rich

RACE 5: #11 Travel Successor, #2 Mr Picasso, #1 All You Need, #9 Dr Race

RACE 6: #1 E-Super, #11 General Iron, #12 Star Of Joy, #5 Zero Hedge

RACE 7: #5 Insayshable, #4 Stimulation, #10 Glorious Artist, #1 Packing Dragon

RACE 8: #3 Jumbo Happiness, #6 California Archer, #4 Eighty Eighty, #2 Harrier Jet

RACE 1: KWOON CHUNG HZMB SERVICES HANDICAP

#8 Jolly Amber won at his most recent start in May before he was scratched before an intended start in June. He still looks to have points in hand and he’s worth watching first-up. #6 Kwaichung Brothers ran OK on opening day. The 10-pound claim of Victor Wong looks crucial and he must be considered. #7 Triumphal Win is slowly improving and he should enjoy a good run in transit. Don’t be surprised if he can get into the placings. #10 Little Fantasy has never done much at Happy Valley but he is a place chance with no weight.

RACE 2: KWOON CHUNG MACAU EXPRESS HANDICAP

#1 Giant Turtle proved a model of consistency last season. He is still quite high in the ratings but he should enjoy every chance under Callan Murray and he looks a live hope yet again. #4 Sky Melody won like an even-money favourite should first-up, sprinting very sharply. He looks to still have more to come and he’s worth watching here. #6 Faithful Trinity should be suited up to 1800m and is another who looks like he’ll get higher than his current mark. #2 Cheerful Star is not quite ready yet but he could improve dramatically again at start four in Hong Kong.

RACE 3: KWOON CHUNG GUANGZHOU EXPRESS HANDICAP

#2 Impeccable Fellow has been racing well without winning. He heads to Happy Valley for the first time, with the 1650m looking sure to suit. He will be tough to beat. #4 Bundle Of Energy looks to be heading the right way. He should get a more genuine pace here than he did last week and, if so, he will be right in the mix. #8 Captain Boss steps up to 1650m for the first time. He has no weight on his back and he’s capable in this spot. #1 Electric Lightning is next best from a good draw.

RACE 4: KWOON CHUNG ZHUHAI EXPRESS HANDICAP

#5 Thou Shall Sing has drawn well and has performed well in his five starts to date. He should be stronger now as a four-year-old and he gets his chance to break through here. #2 Powermax performed incredibly well at his first 12 starts, not missing the top four on any occasion. In seven starts since, though, he’s finished out of the placings. He returns to his favourite course and distance with Zac Purton jumping aboard from a good draw. He will be hard to beat. #10 Fox Cheunger improved significantly fresh and he’s not without claims if he can progress from that. #1 Mickey Rich sprinted nicely to win fresh. He’s not without a hope again from a better gate.

RACE 5: KWOON CHUNG HENGQIN EXPRESS HANDICAP

#11 Travel Successor was trapped deep but still fought on gamely first-up behind Mickey Rich. He gets into a better draw now and it won’t take much for him to break through for his first Hong Kong win. #2 Mr Picasso is a far better horse than his rating or record suggests, but his temperament causes him issues. Still, he’s at a mark where he is capable at any time. #1 All You Need has an awkward draw but at least he might get clear running this time, something that eluded him last time out. He’s not without claims. #9 Dr Race can get into the finish.

RACE 6: KWOON CHUNG ZHONGSHAN EXPRESS HANDICAP

#1 E-Super returns to a course and distance where he has been successful twice before, both times in this grade. He’s still at a high rating, but the claim for Victor Wong gets him down in the weights and he gets his chance to score again. #11 General Iron has not raced at 1200m in almost a year, surprising given his last two wins came at the course and distance. He’s been racing well at 1000m but the return to 1200m at this rating could prove the catalyst for another win. #12 Star Of Joy is racing consistently and will be around the mark again. #5 Zero Hedge looks to finally be putting all the pieces together and he’s worth consideration.

RACE 7: THE KWOON CHUNG BUS CUP

#5 Insayshable had an injury-interrupted first season but he showed promising signs returning towards the end of last season. If he can progress from that, he’ll head higher in no time at all. #4 Stimulation is another who should take benefit from his first campaign. He has to contend with an awkward draw but he’s a horse who looks capable of making it up to Group company in Hong Kong. #10 Glorious Artist won impressively twice on dirt, including a track record at this distance in April. It’s not easy to win at the top of Class 3, which he did last start, and even though he returns to the turf, he’s not hopeless in this spot. #1 Packing Dragon is weighted up to his best but he has trialled well since an OK first-up effort behind Romantic Touch.

RACE 8: KWOON CHUNG JIANGMEN EXPRESS HANDICAP

#3 Jumbo Happiness still looks a horse who will appreciate a mile, but he is still performing well at 1200m. He should enjoy a cosy trip here from the inside gate with Zac Purton aboard yet again and he will be hard to beat. #6 California Archer has trialled well but he is yet to break through on race day in Hong Kong. The switch to Happy Valley creates interest and he’s in a good spot with even luck. #4 Eighty Eighty is looking stronger now and in a good position to continue his rise through the grades. Class 2 will find him out, but he’s capable of getting up there. #2 Harrier Jet is always worth including in exotics.