Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, December 18, 2022

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, December 18, 2022)

Race 1: #13 Alloy Star, #3 Jiangxi Stamina, #2 Joyful Genius, #1 Angels Hunter
Race 2: #4 Hero Icon, #2 Brave Dreams, #9 E Rainbow, #12 Master Of Luck
Race 3: #7 Excellent Fighter, #2 Baby Crystal, #4 Atomic Energy, #6 Cool Blue
Race 4: #10 Kasi Farasi, #5 Victory Scholars, #9 Tycoon Jewellery, #6 Flying Sword
Race 5: #8 Over The Moon, #2 Cheery, #4 Turquoise Alpha, #10 Pakistan Friend
Race 6: #9 Pulsar Strider, #3 Cape Breton, #11 Dream Pursuer, #4 Bundle Of Charm
Race 7: #10 Happy Fat Cat, #2 Flying Bonus, #1 Call Me Teddy, #5 Stand Up
Race 8: #3 Handsome Bo Bo, #5 Keep You Warm, #2 Whizz Kid, #8 Ping Hai Galaxy
Race 9: #3 Fiery Diamond, #7 Red Desert, #12 Youthful Deal, #2 Man Star
Race 10: #13 Happy Day, #12 Accelerando, #8 Massive Action, #7 Stunning Impact

Race 1: Lukfook Jewellery Hexicon Handicap
Tricky opening contest, however, #13 Alloy Star appeals at what could be a decent price. He returns first-up but does look wound-up to perform fresh for Benno Yung. #3 Jiangxi Stamina makes a welcome step down to Class 5. Vincent Ho hops aboard now which is a very good push with regards to his chances. #2 Joyful Genius makes the same dip. This looks like a plus and he’s favoured under Zac Purton. #1 Angels Hunter is better than his record suggests and he can show that in this grade.

Race 2: Lukfook Jewellery Wedding Collection Handicap
#4 Hero Icon is impressing ahead of his debut. He’s done well in each of his trials and does appear forward enough to win first-up in Hong Kong. The only hindrance is the wide gate, which may cause issues. #2 Brave Dreams is consistent and shapes as a leading player. You know what you’re going to get with him. #9 E Rainbow has shown glimpses of ability and does get the right draw. #12 Master Of Luck is better than his record suggests. He’s finding more with each run.

Race 3: Lukfook Jewellery Diapure Handicap
#7 Excellent Fighter is doing plenty right ahead of his debut. He looks to have a stack under the hood and this contest – first-up and down the straight – is incredibly ideal. #2 Baby Crystal can reverse his form. He’s better than what he showed when beaten second-up over the course and distance. Expect improvement. #4 Atomic Energy has impressed in his trials. Angus Chung’s 10lb claim is a big help here, especially as he should find an early lead. #6 Cool Blue has gate speed and is worth consideration.

Race 4: Lukfook Jewellery Love Is Beauty Collection Handicap
#10 Kasi Farasi is very, very dangerous off this mark. Silvestre de Sousa hops back aboard which is a plus and a return to his favourite trip is a big advantage. He can return to winning ways, especially with the use of a good gate. #5 Victory Scholars is racing well and should take another step forward here following a tidy first-up run. #9 Tycoon Jewellery mixes his form but with a clean run late looks capable of figuring. #6 Flying Sword does his best work when first-up from a break. Keep safe.

Race 5: Lukfook Jewellery Goldstyle Handicap
#8 Over The Moon has the ability, now he just needs luck. He’s doing everything right and his fitness should be nearing or at its peak with three runs under his belt this term. #2 Cheery is in sound condition and form. He’s third-up and is a course and distance winner here in the past. #4 Turquoise Alpha can do little wrong. His consistency holds him in good stead. #10 Pakistan Friend uses the 10lb apprentice claim. Suspect he rolls forward and from there takes plenty of catching.

Race 6: Lukfook Jewellery Dear Q Handicap
#9 Pulsar Strider is in the right vein of form. He’s racing very, very well and this contest looks more than suitable for him. He only needs to maintain his form to be a winning chance. #3 Cape Breton soared into third first-up. Expect he’s not the same odds here, however, with that run under his belt he appears more than capable of figuring. #11 Dream Pursuer has had issues but has since trialled well and appears ready. Strong booking of Zac Purton commands respect. #4 Bundle Of Charm has claims.

Race 7: Lukfook Jewellery Heirloom Fortune Collection Handicap
#10 Happy Fat Cat is a very straightforward customer. Expect he rolls forward for the lead and from there runs a race to suit himself. He can return to winning ways. #2 Flying Bonus should also find a positive position. He’ll improve further after fading to fourth last time. #1 Call Me Teddy mixes his form but improvement should spark in Class 4. The inside draw ensures his opportunity. #5 Stand Up has narrowly missed across both of his latest efforts on dirt. Still, he’s holding his condition and is racing well.

Race 8: The Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap
#3 Handsome Bo Bo is racing well without winning. He narrowly missed first-up over the course and distance and with even luck he shapes as a leading player here. The return to straight racing should give him his chance to score. #5 Keep You Warm is better than his record suggests. Vincent Ho hops up now and it wouldn’t surprise to see him bounce to his best. #2 Whizz Kid is in superb form. Angus Chung’s 10lb claim is very, very handy. #8 Ping Hai Galaxy does some of his best work over this course. Next best.

Race 9: Lukfook Jewellery Pt Graceful Collection Handicap
#3 Fiery Diamond is chasing a fourth consecutive win on dirt. He’s turned a corner on the surface and this contest looks well within his grasp. #7 Red Desert is nothing short of consistent. He’s after an overdue win which could well come here with the right run. He’ll need favours but he is capable. #12 Youthful Deal slots in light following an impressive last-start victory. He steps away from a favourable draw. #2 Man Star just needs to offset the wide draw. Keep safe.

Race 10: Lukfook Jewellery Beloved Collection Handicap
#13 Happy Day is a very, very nice horse and he looks well placed getting out over a mile now. He draws a nice barrier for once which should let him sit a bit closer in the run this time around. #12 Accelerando is on fire with two wins from his last three outings. He’s proven and only needs to handle the rise in class to be a factor. #8 Massive Action is the likely leader. He’ll be hanging around the finish for a long way. #7 Stunning Impact is in career-best form. He can make his presence felt with the right run.