Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, January 24, 2023

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Tuesday, January 24, 2023)

Race 1: #1 Mr Valiant, #3 Baby Crystal, #4 Brilliant Life, #5 Call Me Dandy
Race 2: #4 Maximize Heart, #3 Fortune President, #7 Team Goodluck, #6 Medic Elite
Race 3: #8 Lady’s Choice, #10 Thunderboltaurus, #3 Turin Warrior, #2 Spicy Grill
Race 4: #6 A Americ Te Specso, #10 Smart Leader, #11 Fighting Star, #5 Nicetobemet
Race 5: #14 Smart Cousin, #4 Owner’s Star, #3 Go Go Sixteen, #1 Superb Daddy
Race 6: #13 Reach Goal, #1 Nicholson Returns, #9 Winning Steps, #14 Red Elysees
Race 7: #6 Blissful Star, #11 Nordic Combined, #2 Wind N Grass, #5 Yellowfin
Race 8: #10 Mr Ascendency, #2 Blaze Warrior, #1 Healthy Happy, #3 Fantastic Treasure
Race 9: #9 Decisive Twelve, #1 Brilliant Way, #4 Goko Win, #2 Beauty Charge
Race 10: #14 Texas Moon, #4 Marado, #1 Atullibigeal, #10 Global Harmony
Race 11: #2 Maximus, #3 Sight Spirit, #6 Super Sunny Sing, #1 Sinba

Race 1: Kung Hei Handicap (2nd Section)

#1 Mr Valiant makes a crucial dip to Class 4. He did well to close off for sixth last time out at Happy Valley and he looks like he will appreciate racing in this grade. The booking of Karis Teetan is a plus. #3 Baby Crystal is racing well and looks very close to a first win in town. Across four starts he has placed second three times. #4 Brilliant Life was aided by the good draw but did close nicely for second last time out. He’s shown he’s capable of winning soon enough. #5 Call Me Dandy makes his debut. Keep safe.

Race 2: Red Packet Handicap

#4 Maximize Heart steps out for his first run in Class 5. He’s won on this day before and he should be well suited in this grade, especially with Derek Leung hopping up now. #3 Fortune President caught the eye last start and he can also improve racing in this grade. The inside draw should see him save ground throughout. #7 Team Goodluck has the ability and his pairing with Zac Purton is a plus. This grade is suitable and the inside gate is also. #6 Medic Elite is fit and holding his condition. He can be competitive again.

Race 3: Kut Cheong Handicap (2nd Section)

This doesn’t appear to be an overly strong contest. Suspect #8 Lady’s Choice can figure strongly second-up at a price after a sound debut when closing for sixth. Like the booking of Vincent Ho and he appears ready to take a big step forward here. #10 Thunderboltaurus did well on debut for fourth and Hugh Bowman sticks aboard here. He was well supported that day and this contest is suitable. #3 Turin Warrior is doing everything except win. Keep safe. #2 Spicy Grill is next best. Wide draw isn’t ideal.

Race 4: Kung Hei Handicap (1st Section)

#6 A Americ Te Specso closed off nicely for third last start. He can take another step forward here and his chances look very good, especially with Zac Purton sticking aboard. #10 Smart Leader has been competitive in this grade since his win four starts ago. He’s holding his condition and should be around the mark once more. #11 Fighting Star made all impressively last time out. Expect he tries the same again, however, they may not let him skip too far in front this time. #5 Nicetobemet can improve following a sound debut.

Race 5: Yue Yee Handicap

#14 Smart Cousin is in a rich vein of form and he’s so, so close to a first win this term. Expect he gets back in the run, so he may need luck, but with the light weight he gets every chance to make up that ground. #4 Owner’s Star is competitive and has the class. He’s been sound of late and with a bit of luck he should be in the finish. #3 Go Go Sixteen draws ideally and should get a sweet run from there. The step up in distance is suitable, as is the booking of Karis Teetan. #1 Superb Daddy will be in the finish.

Race 6: Prosperity Handicap

#13 Reach Goal slots in light and should improve following his latest effort. He travelled three-wide without cover that day but still managed to stick on for fifth. He’s the one to beat under a light weight from an ideal gate. #1 Nicholson Returns is chasing back-to-back wins. He remains in Class 4 which is suitable. #9 Winning Steps can improve with a return to Sha Tin. The step back in trip looks a plus. #14 Red Elysees knows what it’s all about and he should be in the finish. The light weight is an advantage.

Race 7: Kut Cheong Handicap (1st Section)

#6 Blissful Star is still without a win but he looks to find a suitable contest here. The booking of Karis Teetan is ideal and he has shown in the past that he is more than capable of securing a win in this grade. #11 Nordic Combined is tracking towards a first win. The booking of Silvestre de Sousa signals intent and with the light weight he should get his opportunity. #2 Wind N Grass can improve after finishing midfield last time out. #5 Yellowfin is consistent and should be thereabouts again.

Race 8: Chinese New Year Cup Handicap

#10 Mr Ascendency slots in light and looks to have several rating points still to climb. This is a huge test but he’s in the right vein of form to make big improvement, especially after finishing alongside the impressive Tuchel. #2 Blaze Warrior can bounce back. He’s suited over this course and distance. #1 Healthy Happy knows what it’s all about. He’ll find the front and try to pinch this. The hefty impost will be difficult to overcome. #3 Fantastic Treasure is better than his latest performance. He can reverse his form.

Race 9: Fat Choi Handicap

#9 Decisive Twelve has done everything right this season except win. Suspect his consistency can be rewarded here, especially from an ideal draw under Karis Teetan. #1 Brilliant Way was narrowly denied last time out. Expect he can mount another challenge here, especially with Zac Purton sticking aboard. #4 Goko Win gets Alexis Badel aboard and a pair of blinkers. He looks ready to contend and it wouldn't surprise if he fired through for the lead. Take an each way ticket. #2 Beauty Charge is next best.

Race 10: Good Fortune Handicap

#14 Texas Moon was without luck late last time out. He looks ready for the step up in trip here and with even luck he shapes as a leading chance, especially under the light weight. #4 Marado is chasing a fourth consecutive win. He remains in Class 3 and gate one should see him do now work throughout. #1 Atullibigeal won well last start and should in the finish again. He’ll be finishing fast under Hugh Bowman. #10 Global Harmony has the ability it’s just a matter of putting it all together. Keep safe.

Race 11: Great Profits Handicap

#2 Maximus is better than his form suggests. He hasn’t won in Hong Kong yet, however, he has shown that the turf mile at Sha Tin is by far his best suited trip. He’s had issues but his recent work in the mornings has been solid. Take a chance here. #3 Sight Spirit will improve sharply back to this course and distance. He’s consistent and pairs favourably with Karis Teetan. #6 Super Sunny Sing is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He’ll be competitive once again. #1 Sinba is classy and worth consideration. Keep safe.