Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, October 16, 2022

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, October 16, 2022)

Race 1: #5 Inspiring City, #1 Lean Hero, #2 Island Golden, #6 Young Sparkle
Race 2: #9 Mister Monte, #1 Murray’s Partners, #2 Star Of Glory, #8 Loyal Ambition
Race 3: #1 Lucky With You, #2 Ima Single Man, #3 Fantastic Way, #6 Rock Ya Heart
Race 4: #8 Generous Friend, #1 Big Me, #5 Amazing Rocky, #3 Dashing Triumph
Race 5: #9 Baebae Tsoi, #5 Star Contact, #4 Sweet Diamond, #7 Stunning Impact
Race 6: #11 Hit The Shot, #6 Entrusted, #10 Looking Cool, #7 Intrepid Winner
Race 7: #12 Speed Fay Fay, #2 Universal Horizon, #1 Sweet Encounter, #7 Blissful Star
Race 8: #14 Turin Redsun, #3 California Spangle, #7 Panfield, #4 Tourbillon Diamond
Race 9: #6 Cobhfield, #3 Tuchel, #1 Captain Win, #8 A Pal
Race 10: #2 Packing Treadmill, #1 Super Fortune, #8 Good Buddy, #5 Bundle Of Charm

Race 1: Corum Excellent Handicap

#5 Inspiring City put together several strong efforts last season. Expect he can return in excellent order and this race shapes as his to lose. #1 Lean Hero caught the eye with a strong third at his final appearance last term. These two shape as the standout chances for David Hayes in the race. #2 Island Golden looks well and has claims as he readies for his debut. #6 Young Sparkle did well to finish third twice last season – at both career outings – and he should get his chance again this weekend.

Race 2: Piaget Excellent Handicap

Expect #9 Mister Monte to roll forward and take up the running for Dylan Mo and Michael Chang. The rise in trip looks a plus and he should be able to find a soft lead early on from the draw. #1 Murray’s Partners gets down to Class 5. He’s been consistent of late, enough so to warrant safe keeping. #2 Star Of Glory narrowly missed first-up. He’s well weighted under Angus Chung and should once again get every chance. #8 Loyal Ambition is improving each and every outing. Keep safe.

Race 3: Franck Muller Excellent Handicap

#1 Lucky With You is still emerging but he is not without his own fair share of class. He did well first-up to score down the straight and he should be even better going around a bend this weekend. He’s the clear top selection. #2 Ima Single Man gets a handy 10lb taken off his back. He’s a solid operator. #3 Fantastic Way finished third first-up. Expect he’s still got a number of rating points in hand. #6 Rock Ya Heart is better than his form suggests, especially as he boasts a win over California Spangle. Keep safe.

Race 4: Parmigiani Fleurier Excellent Handicap

#8 Generous Friend appears to be doing everything right ahead of his debut. He’s very, very well bred and he caught the eye in a recent trial down the straight, pinging from the gates impressively to cross the line under his own steam. #1 Big Me is chasing back-to-back wins. He did well first-up but will have to shoulder more weight this time. #5 Amazing Rocky should fly out and press for the lead with Zac Purton up. #3 Dashing Triumph has done a stack of work. He looks ready to roll first-up for trainer Peter Ho.

Race 5: Grand Seiko Excellent Handicap

#9 Baebae Tsoi won well first-up and he shapes as an excellent chance to do the exact same again. Expect he finds the front and takes plenty of catching under Matthew Poon, especially from the ideal draw. #5 Star Contact is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s racing well and any improvement out of that win holds him in good stead. #4 Sweet Diamond mixes his form but has claims. #7 Stunning Impact is consistent and shapes to give this race a shake.

Race 6: H. Moser & Cie. Excellent Handicap

#11 Hit The Shot appears to have acclimatised now. He did well first-up and looks capable of taking another step forward here. He arrived in Hong Kong as a high-class import and it wouldn’t surprise to see him return to near those levels soon. #6 Entrusted narrowly missed upon resumption at odds of 41/1. He’ll relish getting up in trip following that effort. #10 Looking Cool draws well and does appear to still have a number of rating points in hand. #7 Intrepid Winner has a powerful finish on his day. Next best.

Race 7: Girard-Perregaux Excellent Handicap

#12 Speed Fay Fay makes the stable switch. He’s always performed consistently and he’s dangerous stepping away off a mark of 49. Strong booking of Silvestre de Sousa commands respect. #2 Universal Horizon should improve with that first-up run under his belt. #1 Sweet Encounter is chasing back-to-back wins after his impressive debut success. Gate 14 makes life hard, however, expect he’s thereabouts this weekend. #7 Blissful Star is unlucky not to already be a winner. He gets his chance once more.

Race 8: G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap

This will be a challenge but #14 Turin Redsun appeals under what appears to be favourable conditions. He gets in light and he’s currently making very, very rapid progress. His run two starts ago at Group 3 level was exceptional, he can step up here. #3 California Spangle is the likely favourite and he may just prove too strong. Expect he leads this one. He’s super talented. #7 Panfield has trialled well and looks wound up. #4 Tourbillon Diamond is nothing short of consistent. He’ll be thereabouts.

Race 9: IWC Shaffhausen Excellent Handicap

#6 Cobhfield returns first-up this season following surgery for colic. He moved well in his latest trial and does appear ready for a return to racing. Take a chance on him doing enough to win upon resumption. #3 Tuchel is tracking towards the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. He draws well and gets his chance once more over a suitable trip. #1 Captain Win is reliable. He rarely runs poorly and gets his opportunity. #8 A Pal caught the eye at the tail of the field last start. He can improve again.

Race 10: La Suisse Watch Excellent Handicap

#2 Packing Treadmill is a serious talent in his spot with three wins from five starts in Hong Kong. Zac Purton’s done a stack of trackwork with this guy ahead of his return. He’s trialled well and looks wound up to take this out. #1 Super Fortune has the class on his day. Keep him safe. #8 Good Buddy is chasing back-to-back wins. Expect he’s holding his condition. #5 Bundle Of Charm is talent on the rise and his first-up effort deserves forgiveness. He can bounce back.