Declan Schuster's Hong Kong selections and analysis for Sunday, March 31, 2019

SHA TIN SELECTIONS

(Sunday, March 31, 2019)

:: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, and analysis

Race 1: #10 Loriz, #11 Jimson The Dragon, #8 Red Brick Fighter, #12 Majestic Endeavour

Race 2: #12 Little Fantasy, #5 Royal Prerogative, #7 Amazing Gold #3 Young Glory

Race 3: #4 Everyone’s Joy, #6 New Dynamic, #7 Royal Mojito, #2 Bingo

Race 4: #5 Golden Sixty, #2 Fabulous Eight, #3 Brave Baby, #1 sonic Fighter

Race 5: #9 High Rev, #8 Full Of Chances, #6 Hay Run, #2 Flash Famous

Race 6: #5 Happy Alumni, #2 Perfect Pair, #4 E Star, #13 My Winner

Race 7: #1 Champion’s Way, #11 Solar Wai Wai, #2 Fat Turtle, #3 Breeders’ Sky

Race 8: #3 Xiang Yin, #13 Chairman Lo, #6 Jenerator, #2 California Turbo

Race 9: #6 Lean Perfection, #1 Encouraging, #10 Tornado Twist, #11 King Opie

Race 10: #5 Earth Trilogy, #2 Not Usual Talent, #3 Unicron Jewellery, #11 Witness Hunter

Race 1: Castle Peak Bay Handicap

#10 Loriz is the likely leader under Matthew Poon the gate (6) and he’ll prove tough to beat if so. This isn’t a strong Class 4 and he is more than capable of running away with this. #11 Jimson The Dragon has race experience on his side. He’s another who will relish the drop in distance. #8 Red Brick Fighter is one of three debutantes in the race. He stuck on well in a recent trial to finish third and if he translates that form to raceday, then he is in with a chance. #12 Majestic Endeavour has only finished inside the top three once from 20 attempts which came when he won at Sha Tin (1400m) just five starts ago. His form’s been ordinary since his maiden win, but he’s a factor with only 113lb on his back.

Race 2: Kat O Hoi Handicap

#12 Little Fantasy’s lone win came at Sha Tin (1600m). He dead-heated for third at Happy Valley (1800m) in his most recent and since then, the winner (Dragon Warrior) out of that race has come out and won again. This is winnable. #5 Royal Prerogative is now with his third trainer across two seasons. He’s probably found his level if he’s ever going to win. 1600m suits also. #7 Amazing Gold has only recorded finishes inside the money from 27 runs. He’s been poor since his only win, but this is a weak Class 5 and he’s far from out of the picture. #3 Young Glory will be running on from the back. He’ll need a hot pace, but if he gets it then he is capable making his presence felt.

Race 3: Castle Peak Bay Handicap

#4 Everyone’s Joy was hard ridden to win his most recent trial on the dirt at Sha Tin (1200m). He gets the blinkers for his debut assignment which will sharpen him up and the booking of Zac Purton is a strong push in itself. #6 New Dynamic is the other of the two debutantes in the race. He finished 7th in a recent trial but his performance was more impressive than it reads on paper, he sat three wide for the majority of the trial and from there he was entitled to drop off. He’s another who gets the blinkers first time and he’s expected to cross and lead from the gate (11). #7 Royal Mojito is winless from 22 starts. He’ll settle on the speed and get his chance. #2 Bingo the best of the rest.

Race 4: Castle Peak Bay Handicap

#5 Golden Sixty steps out for the first time here. Vincent Ho rides for Francis Lui and this season the pair have made a formidable partnership winning 15 races together. This horse quickened smartly when asked in a recent trial and if he brings that attitude to Sha Tin on Sunday, then he is a leading contender. #2 Fabulous Eight was well beaten last start in a race won by the undefeated Full Of Beauty. He engaged in a speed battle early and from there received no luck in the straight. He’s capable of bouncing back to form. #3 Brave Baby won three starts ago at Sha Tin (1200m), before going onto finish unplaced on the dirt. He’ll bounce back to form on the turf. #1 Sonic Fighter gets a welcome class drop. He’s one for the exotics.

Race 5: Mirs Bay Handicap

#9 High Rev finished off nicely for fourth at Sha Tin (1600m). He’ll relish the drop in distance to 1800m and with Matthew Poon’s claim, he gets an excellent chance to score a breakthrough win. #8 Full Of Chances was a set a task from the rear of the field at his most recent outing. He’s fit and is another who should appreciate stepping back to 1800m from 2000m. #6 Hay Run was a winner last-start after notching up six unplaced efforts prior. He’ll need a fast-run-race, but if he gets it then he is a threat to run on. #2 Flash Famous is not without a chance. Strong booking of Purton signals intent.

Race 6: The CUHK Alumni Cup (Handicap)

#5 Happy Alumni was a tragedy beaten last start. Vincent Ho did his best to weave a passage but he was cramped for room and blocked for a run on numerous occasions. The extra distance suits and he’s capable of getting the money. #2 Perfect Pair fought gamely to win last start. He’s capable of progressing through the grades and from the draw (1) he maps to get a soft run behind the leaders. #4 E Star was the winner of the same race which featured Happy Alumni (5th). No knock on his ability, however the draw makes things difficult, especially in a race devoid of early speed. #13 My Winner is consistent and should be thereabouts.

Race 7: Port Shelter Handicap

#1 Champion’s Way is 3/3 across his career. He travelled three-wide throughout last start but he couldn’t have been more impressive, as he powered away to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths. The same again is expected. #11 Solar Wai Wai finished second to Champion’s Way last start. Strong booking of Purton, but it’s hard to see how he is going to turn the tables on him here. #2 Fat Turtle was a debut winner at Happy Valley. He’ll need to overcome the widest draw (14), but he has plenty of upside. #3 Breeders’ Sky placed in his most recent trial effort. He was competitive in Australia and he remains a big watch on debut for Richard Gibson.

Race 8: Sha Tin Hoi Handicap

#3 Xiang Yin rocketed home to finish third at Sha Tin behind Super Star and Invincible Missile. He has the scope to improve again and breakthrough for a maiden win. #13 Chairman Lo has been a costly conveyance across his career, finishing runner up on four occasions from six appearances. He’s an honest type who can’t be overlooked. #6 Jenerator stuck on well for fourth on debut behind Dan Control. This is a strong form race and his trainer, Caspar Fownes heads to Sha Tin in red hot form having notched up a double at Happy Valley. The wide draw (14) hurts but he can’t be discounted. #2 California Turbo placed finished second behind Dan Control. He’s also drawn (13) wide, but deserves respect.

Race 9: Tolo Harbour Handicap

#6 Lean Perfection is ready for 1400m and assuming he handles it, prove very tough to beat. He’ll sit just in behind the leader and give himself every chance. Zac Purton has ridden him to three of his four wins and he’s improved with racing this season. #1 Encouraging leads. He ran his rivals into the ground at Sha Tin last start, winning by two and a half lengths with Derek Leung in the saddle. He’ll attempt the same again. #10 Tornado Twist was luckless last start behind Encouraging. He did himself no favours however, being tardy out of the gates which clearly cost him any chance of winning. There’s potential he opens a short favourite again and if so, could be worth risking. #11 King Opie has four wins next to his name this season. He’s reached his mark, but he’s capable of another competitive run.

Race 10: Yan Chau Tong Handicap

Competitive nightcap with the top four leading chances all coming out of the same race. #5 Earth Trilogy was blocked for a run at crucial stages last start. The wide draw should see him get a clean run in the straight and if so, prove tough to beat. #2 Not Usual Talent grinded away to finish a narrow second last start ahead of Earth Trilogy. Against him however is that Earth Trilogy was finishing off better, suggesting the tables will turn on Sunday. #3 Unicron Jewellery was the winner of the same race. He’s hard to fault, but his last-start win might have been his mark. #11 Witness Hunter finished fourth in the same race. He’ll be thereabouts.