Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, June 18, 2023

SHA TIN SELECTIONS

(Sunday, June 18, 2023)

Race 1: #9 Sonic Boom, #7 Ka Ying Victory, #1 Chancheng Glory, #2 Kaholo Angel

Race 2: #3 Super Joy, #8 Golden Mission, #4 Turbo Power, #5 Aca Power

Race 3: #6 Go Hero, #10 Noble One, #4 Sunlight Power, #1 Super Highway

Race 4: #7 Star Club, #4 Golden Samurai, #6 Packing Bole, #2 Happy Fat Cat

Race 5: #10 Asian One, #2 Flying Mojito, #6 Gold Tack, #7 Lucky Eternity

Race 6: #5 Universal Horizon, #2 Perfect Team, #14 Round The Earth, #3 Above

Race 7: #7 Yellowfin, #3 Chilli Baba, #2 Simple Hedge, #1 Blue Marlin

Race 8: #7 Flaming Rabbit, #1 The Golden Scenery, #9 Amazing Victory, #5 Galaxy Witness

Race 9: #2 Gummy Gummy, #3 Mark The Moment, #7 Man Star, #4 Lightning Bolt

Race 10: #5 Ace One, #11 Eighty Light Years, #8 Allgreektome, #2 Flying Ace

Race 11: #6 Shining Gem, #4 Good Buddy, #2 Beauty Inspire, #10 Massive Action

Race 1: Wo Che Plate
#9 Sonic Boom caught the eye on debut. He looks open to further improvement following that effort and with even luck he shapes as the one to beat. #7 Ka Ying Victory was withdrawn on debut but will make his first start here under Zac Purton. He’s since trialled after being withdrawn at the gates, impressing with a first-past-the-post effort under Purton. #1 Chancheng Glory is already a winner. Expecting a return to five furlongs to be a positive. #2 Kaholo Angel has mixed his form. Keep safe.

Race 2: Sha Kok Handicap
#3 Super Joy receives a welcome step down in grade to Class 5. He can thrive here, especially with Derek Leung hopping up against a weaker group. Expecting him to handle racing on the dirt for the second time. #8 Golden Mission is consistent and has performed well on the dirt previously. #4 Turbo Power can make his presence felt in this grade and on the dirt. He’s American-bred and gets Zac Purton aboard. #5 Aca Power has an ideal draw and appears to be in the right vein of form. Next in line.

Race 3: Shui Chuen O Handicap (1st Section)
#6 Go Hero makes his debut following several solid trials at Sha Tin. He looks to have his fair share of ability and should be up on the pace early doors under Karis Teetan from the positive draw. #10 Noble One has shown consistency across his career without winning. He’s worth consideration from the draw. #4 Sunlight Power is lightly raced but has stated a fairly strong case so far. He clearly has ability and pairs favourably with Zac Purton this weekend. #1 Super Highway is chasing a hat-trick of wins. Any rain suits.

Race 4: Shui Chuen O Handicap (2nd Section)
#7 Star Club is taking all of the necessary steps forward. He showed his true ability last start and improvement out of that run can see him win here. #4 Golden Samurai is better than what his latest effort suggests. Expecting he can bounce back, especially from barrier two in Class 4. #6 Packing Bole should attract plenty of support on debut with Zac Purton up. His trials and trackwork have looked very good. #2 Happy Fat Cat should lead and could take getting past. Don’t discount.

Race 5: Sun Tin Wai Handicap
#10 Asian One returns to a suitable course and distance. He’s done his best racing on the turf at Sha Tin and, with even luck, shapes as the one to beat. #2 Flying Mojito is consistent and rarely runs a bad race. He draws ideally and is in the right vein of form to return to winning ways soon enough. #6 Gold Tack should return to his best over a mile. He should attempt to cross the field early to offset the wide gate. #7 Lucky Eternity is improving with each and every start. Next in line.

Race 6: Shek Mun Handicap
#5 Universal Horizon has a stack of class and he can continue to improve here. He’s in the right vein of form and if there is rain around he’s already proven that it is not a hindrance. #2 Perfect Team is tracking towards a first win. He draws ideally and his continued improvement holds him in good stead. #14 Round The Earth slots in light and gets a handy weight relief at the bottom of the handicap. #3 Above is consistent and just needs to offset the wide draw to be a factor.

Race 7: Sun Chui Handicap
#7 Yellowfin is consistent. He’s in the right vein of form and the inside gate is suitable. Surprising he is still not a winner but once again he should prove competitive in this grade, especially from the draw. #3 Chilli Baba is classy and can continue his development. He’s progressing with each start and just needs to offset the wide draw. #2 Simple Hedge draws well and was impressive in victory two runs back. #1 Blue Marlin is lightly raced but has a stack of ability.

Race 8: Lek Yuen Handicap
#7 Flaming Rabbit is racing well and should press for the lead, just as he has done previously. He finds an ideal draw here and should prove tough to reel in for Lyle Hewitson, especially after his last-start second to Tuchel. #1 The Golden Scenery has the class edge and is racing with plenty of merit. He can bounce out of the ground at any time. #9 Amazing Victory is consistent and always runs well. The inside draw favours him. #5 Galaxy Witness has a powerful finish. This appears suitable.

Race 9: Mei Lam Handicap
#2 Gummy Gummy was nothing short of impressive last time out. He can continue his upward trajectory here from an inside draw. Trainer Benno Yung’s form with runners on the dirt this season suggests this guy will be hard to catch. #3 Mark The Moment is consistent and gets a handy 10lb taken off his back with the apprentice engaged. #7 Man Star knows how to win on the dirt. He gets his opportunity. #4 Lightning Bolt can make his presence felt. Like the booking of Karis Teetan.

Race 10: Lung Hang Handicap
#5 Ace One can improve sharply with any forecast rain around. Even still, he’s racing with plenty of merit and getting to Sha Tin is a plus. One to beat. #11 Eighty Light Years slots in light and looks to be taking the right steps forward each start. He can make his presence felt. #8 Allgreektome is consistent and pairs favourably with Karis Teetan. The inside gate should see him expend next to no energy throughout. #2 Flying Ace is class but must overcome the wide draw. Zac Purton’s booking will give him every shot.

Race 11: Mei Tin Handicap
#6 Shining Gem was interfered with badly last start and he clearly had much, much more to offer. He can improve out of that run and does get another 10lb taken off with the apprentice retaining the ride. One to beat. #4 Good Buddy finds a suitable contest. Strong booking of Luke Ferraris and the inside gate is a big positive. #2 Beauty Inspire is in the right vein of form and pairs favourably with Zac Purton. #10 Massive Action should lead and may take catching from an ideal draw. Next in line.