Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, March 5, 2023

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, March 05, 2023)

Race 1: #6 Chiron, #1 Colourful Baron, #7 El Valiente, #14 Speed Force
Race 2: #1 Classic Moon, #6 Galvanic, #9 Golden Luck, #5 Star Ascension
Race 3: #4 Rewarding Together, #2 Duke Wai, #1 Courier Wonder, #8 Lucky With You
Race 4: #2 Inspiring City, #9 Viva A La, #11 Little Player, #13 Zacian
Race 5: #4 Shining Fortune, #7 Gem Of South China, #9 The Multiplier, #11 Lucky Ruby
Race 6: #2 Perfetto, #5 Darci Joy, #8 Perfect To Great, #7 Indigenous Realm
Race 7: #7 True Legend, #2 Berlin Tango, #9 Super Win Dragon, #6 Apache Pass
Race 8: #11 Perfect Team, #1 Running Glory, #9 Viva Chaleur, #3 The Irishman
Race 9: #5 Lightning Bolt, #7 Flying Dragon, #11 Adefill, #3 Fiery Diamond
Race 10: #13 Happy Day, #2 Beauty Inspire, #1 Alacrity, #7 Invincible Missile

Race 1: Cornwall Handicap

#6 Chiron has posted several sound efforts on dirt previously. Expect he can take advantage of gate one and make a big impact from there under Derek Leung. #1 Colourful Baron is closing in on a first win. He has the hefty impost to defy but his most recent outing when fourth showed that he is beginning to figure it all out now. #7 El Valiente narrowly missed last start when third. He’s in super form and is open to taking another step forward here. #14 Speed Force can rattle home under no weight.

Race 2: Cumberland Handicap

#1 Classic Moon had surgery to correct a roaring condition and since then has looked well in his trials and workouts. His first-up win was impressive and any return to that level holds him in good stead. #6 Galvanic soared into second position last time out. He’s on an upward trajectory and does appear to have plenty of rating points still in hand. #9 Golden Luck steps out on debut. He looks to have his fair share of ability. #5 Star Ascension is consistent and does have race-experience on his side.

Race 3: Devon Handicap

#4 Rewarding Together is consistent and with even luck he is the one to beat. He’s really hit his straps of late and this contest looks like his to lose. #2 Duke Wai has been racing well up in grade. He can improve here and gate one can afford him the run of the race. #1 Courier Wonder has the class-edge and pairs favourably with Hugh Bowman. He’ll be fighting out the finish. #8 Lucky With You slots in light and is open to further improvement. His latest trial alongside California Spangle was sound.

Race 4: Essex Handicap

#2 Inspiring City draws ideally and has shown a stack improvement across his last two runs. Expect he can continue to improve and gate one should give him every chance to showcase this. #9 Viva A La is on an upward trajectory now. He’ll be grinding home late. #11 Little Player is doing similar. He has the wide draw to overcome this time. #13 Zacian is still without a win. He’s usually competitive without winning and this contest – under no weight – should be no exception for him.

Race 5: The Kowloon Tong Club Trophy Handicap

#4 Shining Fortune has really stepped it up on dirt. He was unlucky last start at the tail of the field. He can sit closer in the run and expect a big effort from him here with Karis Teetan hopping up. #7 Gem Of South China is worth an each way ticket at odds. He’s done a stack of work ahead of this weekend and chances are he rolls forward to pinch this at massive odds. #9 The Multiplier does his best racing over this course and distance. #11 Lucky Ruby gets a light weight and has claims here. Next best.

Race 6: Kent Handicap

#2 Perfetto was enormous when winning last start. Expecting similar again from him here as he remains in the grade and has a good enough barrier to follow suit. #5 Darci Joy can save ground and mount a strong case. He’s racing with plenty of merit at the moment – enough so to indicate that he’s very close another win. #8 Perfect To Great mixes his form but was nothing short of impressive two runs ago. Keep safe. #7 Indigenous Realm will get his opportunity and is close to returning to winning ways.

Race 7: Norfolk Handicap

#7 True Legend just keeps taking it to another level and while this is a challenge, his racing pattern will once again afford him every opportunity. Expect he finds the front in order to offset the draw and put a gap on this group turning for home. #2 Berlin Tango has a bit of class on the dirt. He can clock a slick time over this course and distance. #9 Super Win Dragon bagged a hat-trick of wins earlier this season. The step up in trip is a query but his level of ability is not. #6 Apache Pass has claims.

Race 8: Rutland Handicap

#11 Perfect Team was without luck last start. He can atone for that effort here with a bit of clean air in the straight. The dip in weight here is a huge plus. #1 Running Glory looks to have more improvement left to come. He’ll run on late and get his chance. #9 Viva Chaleur has a powerful closing speed and he continues to catch the eye late on in each of his races. #3 The Irishman has the class and suspect we still haven’t seen the best of him yet. He’s chasing back-to-back wins and will be favoured here.

Race 9: Somerset Handicap

#5 Lightning Bolt was untested last start over this course and distance. He was caught behind runners without luck, while running under a full head of steam. Expect he can mount a challenge here with the right room. #7 Flying Dragon is chasing back-to-back wins. He remains in Class 3 which suits. #11 Adefill rises in grade. He won by over six lengths start and does look to have plenty still up his sleeve. He gets a light weight but he will find this class-rise a much bigger challenge. #3 Fiery Diamond is next best.

Race 10: Suffolk Handicap

#13 Happy Day is racing well and better than what the form guide says. He has a bit of talent and does know how to run really good time over this course and distance. The well-weighted one to beat. #2 Beauty Inspire looks capable of bouncing back after a lacklustre effort last start. #1 Alacrity finished a competitive fourth on debut in Hong Kong. He brings over some high-class South American form which can continue to hold him in good stead. #7 Invincible Missile has a strong closing speed. Keep safe.