Andrew Hawkins' Hong Kong selections and analysis for Wednesday, September 20, 2017

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS

(Wednesday, September 20, 2017)

RACE 1: #12 Great Toplight, #8 Sight Seeing, #5 Triumphal Trumpet, #4 Goal For Gold

RACE 2: #2 Kyrus Bowser, #8 Go Go Win, #9 Ho Ho Feel, #4 Sharp Sailor

RACE 3: #3 Sweet Bean, #6 High Speed Metro, #5 Best Jade Triumph, #4 Fun Manager

RACE 4: #7 Smart Union, #10 Curling Luxury, #3 Balay Balay, #5 Meisterstueck

RACE 5: #1 Smart Boy, #2 Phantom Falcon, #5 Otouto, #4 Formula Galore

RACE 6: #1 Enormous Honour, #2 Trendy Win, #9 Torney, #10 Megatron

RACE 7: #7 Moment Of Power, #10 Travel Datuk, #11 Charity Glory, #1 Fantastic Feeling

RACE 8: #8 Key Witness, #2 Convincible, #7 Super Lifeline, #6 Mr Genuine

RACE 1: NGAU TAU KOK HANDICAP

#12 Great Toplight went well at his first run in Class 5 and now steps back up in grade. He would be better suited with a step up to 1650m, but in a race that lacks depth, he can score here. #8 Sight Seeing was edged out last week behind Good Companion and now lines up for his third run this season. That fitness edge could prove crucial. #5 Triumphal Trumpet trialled strongly and could be one for exotics. #4 Goal For Gold has not won in Hong Kong, but he is at a mark where he should win shortly.

RACE 2: LAM TIN HANDICAP

#2 Kyrus Bowser ran a good race over 1650m fresh. The step up to 1800m is a positive and he looks to be coming to hand now. #8 Go Go Win is as honest as the day is long. He will push forward with no weight and he should be around the mark. #9 Ho Ho Feel has had no luck recently. He might be looking for a drop in class but he should be able to win one of these if things fall his way. #4 Sharp Sailor is hard to catch but he must be included in exotics.

RACE 3: YAU TONG HANDICAP

#3 Sweet Bean made up good ground to finish fourth at Sha Tin on the opening day of the season. He is well-suited to this course and distance and should be hard to beat. #6 High Speed Metro is always capable of getting into the placings over this course and distance. His fresh run was strong and he can figure. #5 Best Jade Triumph is getting down to a mark where he should be able to win again. He must be included. #4 Fun Manager struck plenty of trouble last week and can be forgiven for that run.

RACE 4: TIU KENG LENG HANDICAP

#7 Smart Union missed much of last season, but he ran a couple of good races regardless. Fresh, he looks a prime candidate to give trainer Michael Freedman his first winner in Hong Kong. #10 Curling Luxury dead-heated to win in Class 5 last week. He looks capable of winning at the bottom of Class 4 and deserves consideration. #3 Balay Balay showed glimpses of form at the end of last season. He can press forward and stick around for some minor money. #5 Meisterstueck has mixed his form but it wouldn’t surprise to see him sneak into the finish.

RACE 5: NGAU TAU KOK HANDICAP

#1 Smart Boy ran well for second behind Starlight last week. A repeat of that effort should see him winning here. #2 Phantom Falcon is yet to run a bad race in Hong Kong. He has an awkward draw here but is sure to have plenty of admirers regardless. #5 Otouto came to hand towards the end of last season after a long layoff, although his last run was poor. Still, if he finds his best, he can hit the board. #4 Formula Galore has drawn the outside and looks in need of some ratings relief but he can place.

RACE 6: TIU KENG LENG HANDICAP

#1 Enormous Honour ran an honest race at his first ever Class 4 attempt last week. With that run under him, he is a leading contender. #2 Trendy Win is not getting any younger but he stuck on OK in that same race last week and he should be in with a chance this time around. #9 Torney begins his second preparation here and gets Joao Moreira aboard for the first time. He will be well-fancied and he’s definitely a chance. #10 Megatron trialled well last week and can figure.

RACE 7: KWUN TONG HANDICAP

#7 Moment Of Power’s form tapered off last season but he was drawing wide and having to do too much work early. From a kinder draw, he can bounce out towards the lead and perhaps see out his race better. #10 Travel Datuk is a tantalising horse in that he has promised plenty since arriving from Ireland, but he is yet to break through. He can’t be ignored, though. #11 Charity Glory is clearly nearing a win but has to defy a bad gate here. #1 Fantastic Feeling has to lug plenty of weight but he can figure with luck.

RACE 8: CHA KWO LING HANDICAP

#8 Key Witness has not won in two seasons after his rating got up into triple figures. He is now approaching a mark where he should be able to win again. #2 Convincible is looking to make it four wins on end. He is going to find this his toughest test yet but he must be included. #7 Super Lifeline is in a similar boat to Key Witness, except his drought extends back to March 2014. He will win this season, it is just a matter of when. #6 Mr Genuine can defy his bad gate and hit the board.