Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, October 24, 2021

Sha Tin Selections

(Sunday, October 24, 2021)

Race 1: #7 Super Fortune, #1 Ka Ying Spirit, #8 Symphony, #13 Carry The Diamond
Race 2: #8 Good Buddy, #9 Shenron, #2 Fire Ball, #5 Street Scream
Race 3: #11 Kwai Chung Elite, #1 So Awesome, #2 Little Player, #5 Zacian
Race 4: #8 Durham Star, #4 Boom Stitch, #12 Laputa, #5 Courageous Knight
Race 5: #14 Easy Fortune, #3 Decisive Action, #1 Soulmate, #2 Casimiro
Race 6: #3 Super Oasis, #6 Maldives, #8 Gallant Crown, #9 Xiang Yin
Race 7: #9 Crossford, #1 Beluga, #2 Spend, #3 Craig’s Star
Race 8: #5 Master Eight, #4 The Golden Scenery, #7 Excellent Chariot, #12 Proud Dragon
Race 9: #11 Lucky With You, #5 Dublin Star, #4 Gluck Racer, #3 Five Elements
Race 10: #9 Mister Snowdon, #3 Master Montaro, #2 Californiadeepshot, #13 Sea Of Life

Race 1: Egret Handicap

#7 Super Fortune trialled up well and he looks well placed to make an impact on debut. This is a difficult starting point but he’s worth taking a chance on. #1 Ka Ying Spirit is proven as a debut winner last campaign. He pairs with the in-form Zac Purton who has eight wins from the last two race meetings. #8 Symphony steps out on debut. He looks to have a bit of talent off the back of a solid barrier trial effort at Conghua. #13 Carry The Diamond is a light weight chance. He’s next best.

Race 2: Flamingo Handicap

#8 Good Buddy did well last term. He went close a few times last season but since then he has trialled up very, very well. He’s the one to beat here from gate five. #9 Shenron has more ability than his record lets on. His latest trial was sound and he appears well placed to fire first-up. #2 Fire Ball won well two starts ago. Suspect he rolls forward and tries to pinch this. #5 Street Scream has race-fitness on his side. He has claims here against bunch.

Race 3: Heron Handicap

#11 Kwai Chung Elite draws well and should enjoy a cosy run close to the speed. He won well in this grade just three starts ago and with luck he shapes as the one to beat. #1 So Awesome steps down in grade. Joao Moreira hops up now which signs significant intent around his winning chances. #2 Little Player can bounce back. He’s better ridden with more of a finish. #5 Zacian has talent and is closing in on a first win. The wide draw makes life hard but he’s not without a hope in this grade.

Race 4: Kestrel Handicap

#8 Durham Star should benefit from the added furlong on offer here. Zac Purton sticks aboard which suits and this looks like his contest to lose. #4 Boom Stitch did well on debut to close off for a tidy sixth. His ability and improvement can take him further. #12 Laputa draws well and should be able to sit closer in the run this time in. Hopefully this doesn’t detract from his powerful finish. #5 Courageous Knight is racing well. He’s next in line.

Race 5: Peacock Handicap

#14 Easy Fortune just missed first-up at 88/1. He struggled last start but deserves forgiveness after travelling three-wide throughout with no cover. He can bounce back off a lightweight with a quiet run. #3 Decisive Action is after back-to-back wins. He remains in Class 4 which suits but the wide gate could make things harder for him. #1 Soulmate steps down in grade and is paired with Joao Moreira for the first time. Keep safe. #2 Casimiro has a powerful finish. Don’t discount.

Race 6: Chinese General Chamber Of Commerce Cup Handicap

#3 Super Oasis has been competitive up in grade over this course and distance. Suspect he can return to optimum form here getting out to a mile with Alexis Badel engaged. #6 Maldives is a one-time course and distance winner. He’s since proven himself in Class 3 and the step up in trip here is beneficial. #8 Gallant Crown made Happy Valley his own last season with four wins over the course and distance. He bears close watching. #9 Xiang Yin won well last start. He’s a factor.

Race 7: Sea Eagle Handicap

#9 Crossford was far from disgraced on debut over an unsuitable distance. He’ll relish getting out to seven furlongs with Joao Moreira aboard. #1 Beluga is after back-to-back wins. Top weight and the wide gate hinder his chances but he’s boosted by the services of Zac Purton. #2 Spend has a touch of class. He draws well and maps to get a nice run throughout. #3 Craig’s Star has experience and race-fitness on his side. He’s also a two-time winner second-up, which bears close watching. He might be value.

Race 8: Spoonbill Handicap (2nd Section)

#5 Master Eight is looking to knock up a hat-trick of wins. He’s a serious talent who is capable of remaining unbeaten here from gate five with Joao Moreira up. Suspect he rolls forward and from there proves tough to catch. #4 The Golden Scenery has ability but is struggling to get his nose in front. Still, he’s capable of testing Master Eight. #7 Excellent Chariot is after back-to-back wins. He returns first-up this term but his trials have appeared sound. #12 Proud Dragon slots in light and shouldn’t be too far off them.

Race 9: Spoonbill Handicap (1st Section)

#11 Lucky With You might be one of Hong Kong’s leading four-year-olds. This isn’t an easy task to resume in but if he brings his best – with the light weight allotted – then he shapes as the one they have to run down. #5 Dublin Star is much better racing around a bend. He can improve here off his first-up effort. #4 Gluck Racer has won three from seven across his career. He’s up against it here but is proven in this grade. #3 Five Elements finished a close-up second on debut. This is tough but he’s hit the ground running.

Race 10: Swan Handicap

#9 Mister Snowdon has class and he should be able to park himself in the right spot here. He’s done well so far this preparation and deserves respect here with a slick personal best recorded over this course and distance. #3 Master Montaro scored with plenty in hand last time out. He’ll need to reproduce that here from the wide gate with more weight assigned. #2 Californiadeepshot can roll forward and play catch me if you can. Respect. #13 Sea Of Life has claims with bottom weight. Don’t discount.