Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, April 12, 2023

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, April 12, 2023)

Race 1: #8 Round The Earth, #1 Escape Route, #3 Above, #4 Natural Storm
Race 2: #3 Over The Moon, #6 Jolly Honour, #10 Faithful Trinity, #5 Charizard
Race 3: #5 Wood On Fire, #1 Prime Mortar, #4 See U Again, #6 Above All
Race 4: #8 All Riches, #1 Zone D, #2 Red Majesty, #9 Rattan Kingdom
Race 5: #11 Diamond Soars, #10 Nicetobemet, #12 Ace Talent, #4 G One Excellent
Race 6: #8 Happy Angel, #6 Sturdy Ruby, #2 Holy Power, #4 Splendid Living
Race 7: #3 Harmony N Home, #5 E Universe, #1 Savvy Chic, #4 A Americ Te Specso
Race 8: #8 Gorytus, #5 Packing Award, #10 Nimble Nimbus, #2 Savaquin
Race 9: #4 Xponential, #2 Gold Gold Baby, #8 Magniac, #6 Jumbo Legend

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Race 1: Cochrane Handicap

#8 Round The Earth continues to improve and has done enough to suggest that a first win is nearing. The rise to 11 furlongs appears suitable under a light weight for him to breakthrough in Hong Kong. #1 Escape Route knows what it’s all about. He’s racing well and is a two-time winner this term for leading trainer John Size. #3 Above can mix his form but this distance always tends to suit him. He should get his chance throughout from gate four under Alexis Badel. #4 Natural Storm has the class over this trip. Keep safe.

Race 2: D’Aguilar Handicap

#3 Over The Moon is due a first win. He’s gone close several times and has shown the ability to not only suggest he can win but do so back in Class 4 – should he make the return to the grade. #6 Jolly Honour is racing off a dangerous mark and pairs favourably with Zac Purton. He’ll know how to offset the wide gate. #10 Faithful Trinity has claims. He’s found form of late, enough so to suggest he can be competitive here from gate four. #5 Charizard is holding his condition and should be able to save ground from barrier one. Next in line.

Race 3: Glenealy Handicap (1st Section)

#5 Wood On Fire is chasing back-to-back wins. He draws ideally and remains in the grade as he seeks consecutive wins. He’s honest, consistent and rates as the one they all have to catch. #1 Prime Mortar has hit his straps. He’s after a third consecutive win and looks well placed to be getting up into Class 3 soon enough. #4 See U Again mixes his form but on his day he has the class. He can bounce back here. #6 Above All has been struggling of late but his best is much, much better than that. It wouldn’t surprise to see him improve.

Race 4: The Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup Handicap

#8 All Riches can find the front and give them plenty to run down. He slots in light and has been competitive this season without winning. Tricky little contest but an early lead might be just what it takes to get a break on these. #1 Zone D is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s on the quick back-up and Zac Purton’s services enhance his claims. #2 Red Majesty does the same. He rarely runs a bad race and it wouldn’t surprise to see him go close with the right run. #9 Rattan Kingdom has continued to improve all season. He gets his chance.

Race 5: Graham Handicap

#11 Diamond Soars is a two-time winner this season. He’s racing well and can easily be competitive back in Class 4, just as he was last start. This is a tricky contest but the light weight and inside draw hold him in good stead. #10 Nicetobemet clearly has more ability than what his past performances suggest. Strong booking of Zac Purton demands respect. #12 Ace Talent gets in light and is showing signs of improvement now. Keep safe. #4 G One Excellent is chasing a fourth consecutive win. He’s in-form and deserves respect again.

Race 6: On Lan Handicap

#8 Happy Angel is deserving of a first win. He’s been racing in superb form all season and he shapes as the one to beat with a bit of luck and the right run. He’ll be rewarded soon enough. #6 Sturdy Ruby did well to grab third on debut. He can take another step forward here with an in-form Hugh Bowman sticking aboard. #2 Holy Power has hit the ground running since arrival in Hong Kong. Zac Purton’s services will afford him his chance in a hotly contested race. #4 Splendid Living was an impressive winner two runs back. Next best.

Race 7: Glenealy Handicap (2nd Section)

#3 Harmony N Home draws the rail and he can save ground from there. He should get the run of the race and take a stack of beating. #5 E Universe clearly has ability and looks well placed to begin climbing the handicap. Hugh Bowman’s services can ensure he gets every chance from barrier two. #1 Savvy Chic makes a favourable return to Class 4. Zac Purton takes the mount and he has the class-edge over rivals here. #4 A Americ Te Specso is doing well and has claims. Next in line.

Race 8: Wyndham Handicap

#8 Gorytus is in career-best form. He held his condition to finish a brilliant second last time out and another strong performance is expected here. He has a blistering turn of foot and looks capable of further climbing the handicap. #5 Packing Award is better than his form suggests. He’s always had soundness issues but on his day he’s capable of defeating this group. #10 Nimble Nimbus is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He continues to raise the bar and can do so again. #2 Savaquin draws ideally and can make good account of himself.

Race 9: Shelley Handicap

#4 Xponential is nothing short of consistent. He can be rewarded here from an inside gate under Lyle Hewitson – who knows the horse very, very well. #2 Gold Gold Baby is a winning machine and his best is very good. He’ll give them a head start but look for him closing off from the tail of the field. #8 Magniac has the ability and is lightly raced. He’s showing all of the right signs for an in-form Jamie Richards. #6 Jumbo Legend can mix his form but does have the class when he manages to piece it all together. He’s a factor.