HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS (Wednesday, April 19, 2023) Race 1: #6 Ring Bells, #1 Gallant Hero, #11 Splendid Star, #5 Owners’ Star Race 2: #3 M M Nebula, #4 General Ace, #9 Sunshine Legendary, #1 Birdsville Race 3: #4 Star Contact, #6 Up And Up, #1 Meaningful Star, #8 Viva Hunter Race 4: #9 Glory Bo Bo, #2 Awesome Treasure, #1 High Rise Soldier, #11 Vamos Race 5: #1 Smokey Bear, #4 Sight Hero, #3 Victory Scholars, #10 My Intelligent Race 6: #8 Helene Allibor, #2 World Famous, #4 June Planet, #5 Happy Angel Race 7: #3 Ace One, #10 Red Desert, #7 Magniac, #9 Kokushi Musou Race 8: #6 Perfect To Great, #2 Blissful Star, #4 Helene Wisdom Star, #1 Sixth Generation Race 9: #10 Waka Waka, #6 Brave Star, #7 Allgreektome, #9 Elon :: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, analysis, replays, and live streaming Race 1: Tsim Sha Tsui Handicap #6 Ring Bells makes his first start for trainer Jimmy Ting after switching yards. He’s caught the eye in trials and could prove difficult to catch with an early lead. Expect he attempts to make all. #1 Gallant Hero makes the step down to Class 5. He’s been competitive in the grade above and his pairing with Zac Purton catches the eye. #11 Splendid Star was without luck on the dirt last time out. He’s taking the necessary steps forward. #5 Owners’ Star charged into fourth at his most recent outing. Next best. Race 2: Jordan Handicap #3 M M Nebula has posted a pair of smart first-past-the-post trial efforts. Expect he finds the front here as he did in both of those barrier trials. He’s the one to reel in. #4 General Ace turned in an eye-catching effort for sixth last start. He might give this group a head start but watch for him closing rapidly. #9 Sunshine Legendary makes his first start for trainer Frankie Lor. Derek Leung sticks aboard and the inside gate is suitable. #1 Birdsville has tumbled to the bottom grade. He has the class to figure strongly. Race 3: Yau Ma Tei Handicap #4 Star Contact is in the right vein of form. He has the right draw here to save ground or perhaps lead, which should see him prove difficult to get past under Zac Purton. #6 Up And Up steps out on debut following several eye-catching barrier trials. He looks to have his fair share of ability. #1 Meaningful Star has returned from a lengthy spell in excellent order for trainer Francis Lui. He can continue his ascent here. #8 Viva Hunter slots in at the bottom of the handicap. He’ll get the right run for Matthew Chadwick. Race 4: Mong Kok Handicap (1st Section) #9 Glory Bo Bo has had his fair share of awkward draws this season. He steps away favourably from gate one here with Zac Purton up and does shape as the one they all have to beat, especially following a smart effort two runs back. #2 Awesome Treasure should find the right spot on the speed. He can figure under Hugh Bowman in a suitable contest. #1 High Rise Soldier returns to Class 4. His last run in this grade saw him go on with it. #11 Vamos is improving. Expect a big run from the tail of the field. Race 5: Mong Kok Handicap (2nd Section) #1 Smokey Bear has been competitive in the grade above. Expect he flies forward to try and lead this group, which could see him prove difficult to catch, if he finds it. #4 Sight Hero gets the right draw which will allow him to save ground throughout. He is capable of going back-to-back here for Hugh Bowman. #3 Victory Scholars can park up on the pace and get every opportunity. His consistency will be rewarded soon enough. #10 My Intelligent won well last start. Chances are he rolls forward gets his chance. Race 6: The Hong Kong Rugby Union Cup Handicap (1st Section) Still without a win in town, #8 Helene Allibor appeals at odds. He’s been ticking along of late and while he’s not drawn the best, he should get a pace to suit and his effort three runs ago at the course was easily a personal best this term. #2 World Famous is the likely leader and will try to offset the wide gate. He’ll be tough to get past. #4 June Planet continues to improve. The rise in distance looks suitable and his pairing with Hugh Bowman is too. #5 Happy Angel is consistent and a first win is close. Keep safe. Race 7: Ho Man Tin Handicap (2nd Section) #3 Ace One returned in sound condition first-up to finish seventh. He had a setback which caused him to miss much of this season, however, with added fitness he looks to be heading in the right direction now. His best form stacks up here and he can win. #10 Red Desert has found a competitive mark. He did well at the Valley two runs back. He has no weight and gets his chance. #7 Magniac gets the right draw and should be well-fancied once again. He’ll be fighting out the finish. #9 Kokushi Musou has claims. Race 8: King’s Park Handicap (2nd Section) #6 Perfect To Great gets a handy draw and he does his best racing at the city circuit. Chances are he’s well supported in the market but his run two starts ago suggests that a short quote is more than deserving. #2 Blissful Star nailed a well-deserved win earlier this season. He doesn’t know how to run poorly and the inside draw favours him. #4 Helene Wisdom Star can mix his form but does get the services of Zac Purton. #1 Sixth Generation is in the right vein of form. He’s in the mix, even with an awkward draw. Race 9: Ho Man Tin Handicap (1st Section) #10 Waka Waka has ability and slots in light for his Hong Kong debut. His trackwork and trials have looked very good, enough so to suggest that he could win first-up with a few favours from an ideal draw. He’s worth taking a chance on at odds. #6 Brave Star continues to raise the bar. His ascent looks far from over and his latest win was nothing short of impressive. One to beat. #7 Allgreektome should lead and take catching. Don’t discount. #9 Elon is racing well and can make his presence felt.