Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, July 16, 2023

SHA TIN SELECTIONS

(Sunday, July 16, 2023)

Race 1: #5 Vamos, #6 Miracles, #10 Nordic Combined, #2 Brilliant Pioneer
Race 2: #6 Joyful Champion, #2 Vantastic Choice, #1 Master Of Luck, #8 Double Show
Race 3: #4 Fun N Glory, #7 Talents Supremo, #1 Baby Crystal, #3 Cobhfield
Race 4: #2 Packing Succeeder, #10 Prosecco, #12 High Cloud, #1 Super Hong Kong
Race 5: #11 Diamond Diamond, #5 Wood On Fire, #8 Publicist, #9 June Planet
Race 6: #14 My Intelligent, #9 Karma, #5 Ariel, #13 Speedstar
Race 7: #8 Global Harmony, #14 Packing Bole, #1 Dragon’s Luck, #9 Self Improvement
Race 8: #4 Circuit Stellar, #6 The Irishman, #2 Tuchel, #10 Beauty Live
Race 9: #9 Ivy League, #1 Amazing Victory, #8 Universal Horizon, #4 Charity Bingo
Race 10: #3 Charity Grace, #4 Simple Hedge, #6 Happy Daily, #9 Big Red
Race 11: #4 Packing Treadmill, #1 Adios, #8 Flying Ace, #2 Golden Express

Race 1: Mr Award Handicap

#5 Vamos has found his mark and is ready to win. He’s in the right vein of form and Hugh Bowman’s booking ensure he gets every chance this weekend. One to beat from gate one. #6 Miracles is in fine form and has been at times throughout this season. He’s suited in this grade and can make his presence felt. #10 Nordic Combined needs to offset the awkward draw. He’s got a few rating points up his sleeve. #2 Brilliant Pioneer was sound last time out and should be thereabouts once again.

Race 2: Miraculous Handicap

#6 Joyful Champion had more up his sleeve than was on display last start. Expecting he can put his front foot forward here and contend at a decent price for trainer Michael Chang. #2 Vantastic Choice steps down to Class 5 and gets the services of Zac Purton. He should be able to fire in this grade under the six-time champion jockey. #1 Master Of Luck is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s ready to ascend the handicap further. #8 Double Show is in the right vein of form. He’s next in line.

Race 3: Victory Marvel Handicap

#4 Fun N Glory caught the eye with a fast-finishing effort last time out. He draws an ideal gate here and appears ready to win again. One to beat. #7 Talents Supremo is better than his record suggests. He’s shown glimpses of ability and there looks to be plenty more still to come with him. #1 Baby Crystal has consistency on his side and some luck will see get him over the line again soon enough. #3 Cobhfield has tumbled down the handicap. He can win in this grade.

Race 4: Solar Hei Hei Handicap

#2 Packing Succeeder was luckless last time out. He’s better than that and is massive threat in this grade, especially as a winner in it earlier this season. He’s the one to beat over this trip from an ideal draw. #10 Prosecco is consistent and has proven himself as a winner in waiting. He gets a few favours here following a career-best effort last time out. #12 High Cloud has claims and just needs to overcome the wide draw. #1 Super Hong Kong is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s drawn ideally.

Race 5: Big Profit Handicap

#11 Diamond Diamond did well on debut, however, since then has been a touch underwhelming. He’s shown he has some ability and perhaps the removal of the tongue-tie will help. He’s worth taking a chance on. #5 Wood On Fire is consistent and this holds him in good stead this weekend. He can mount a challenge. #8 Publicist is racing well and Zac Purton’s booking is ideal. #9 June Planet is closing in on a first win. Vincent Ho remains aboard which is a good push.

Race 6: Medic Kingdom Handicap

It wouldn’t surprise to see #14 My Intelligent roll forward and play catch me if you can. Gate one is a huge help for him and he has the ability to pinch this, assuming he gets a big enough break on this group turning for home. #9 Karma is chasing a first win at his third start. He draws well and gets his opportunity to improve once more. #5 Ariel gets the services of Zac Purton and has been knocking on the door for quite a while now. #13 Speedstar slots in light and is advantaged at the bottom of the handicap.

Race 7: Pingwu Spark Handicap

#8 Global Harmony should get a sweet run from the draw. He has the ability and his recent form has been nothing short of very good. Take a chance on him. #14 Packing Bole has the awkward draw to overcome. He has the ability to do so, but he may still find it difficult, especially up in grade and against this group. He’s worth opposing here. #1 Dragon’s Luck has had to overcome setbacks. He has the right draw and should get every opportunity. #9 Self Improvement is racing well. Keep safe.

Race 8: The Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy Handicap

#4 Circuit Stellar has consistency on his side and deserves to win a race like Sunday’s. He draws ideally, gets Hugh Bowman up, and should be able to make this group work for it. #6 The Irishman is a winner in this grade previously. The Francis Lui stable is flying and this guy is racing well enough to contend strongly. #2 Tuchel scored at Group 3 level last time out. He steps back in distance here, however, that shouldn’t prove a hindrance. #10 Beauty Live caught the eye late last start. Don’t discount.

Race 9: Sight Winner Handicap

#9 Ivy League continues to progress and has hit a nice patch of form ahead of this weekend. He gets his opportunity here following a pair of tidy efforts. He has his fair share of class. #1 Amazing Victory can bounce back after last start. Trainer Peter Ho desperately needs this one and with Zac Purton aboard he should get one of his best possible chances yet. #8 Universal Horizon is a nice horse and his ascent is far from over. #4 Charity Bingo is improving. He’s best kept safe.

Race 10: All You Wish Handicap

#3 Charity Grace gets an opportunity here. He’s returned to a competitive rating and his best form previously holds him in good stead. He caught the eye late last start and that level of racing should see him take beating. #4 Simple Hedge is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s in the form of his life and should be fighting out another finish here. #6 Happy Daily did well from a difficult barrier last start. He’s consistent and gets his shot here. #9 Big Red should lead and give them something to run down. Keep safe.

Race 11: Joy And Fun Handicap

#4 Packing Treadmill is racing well and should be able to make good use of the positive barrier. He can improve following his latest effort which saw him perform well under challenging circumstances. #1 Adios is flying. He’s in superb form at the minute and only needs to overcome the wide draw to be a factor. #8 Flying Ace is super classy and he gets his chance. He should relish the step back to six furlongs this weekend. #2 Golden Express is a three-time winner from his last four starts. Keep safe.