Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, April 24, 2024

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, April 24, 2024)

Race 1: #1 Beauty Waves, #2 Heroic Master, #4 Harmony Fire, #3 Happy United
Race 2: #8 Precision Goal, #6 Circuit Elite, #7 Loyal Ambition, #11 Brother Pearl
Race 3: #3 Beau Gosse, #4 Mr Good Vibes, #1 Noble One, #2 Tactical Command
Race 4: #8 Great Achiever, #1 Ma Comet, #9 Lean Master, #11 Gorgeous Vitality
Race 5: #2 Duke Wai, #9 Humble Star, #7 Harmony N Blessed, #1 Whizz Kid
Race 6: #9 Young Victory, #2 Snowalot, #10 Can’t Go Wong, #4 Pegasus General
Race 7: #7 Glory Cloud, #6 Sight Supreme, #4 Diamond Flare, #2 Our Lucky Glory
Race 8: #4 High Percentage, #3 Togepi, #1 Golden Long, #12 Happy Feeling
Race 9: #9 Flamingo Trillion, #3 Noble Pursuit, #1 Gallant Waking, #7 Intrepid Winner

Race 1: Jeju Handicap

#1 Beauty Waves broke through in style last start. He’s a nice horse and further progression is expected here, especially with Zac Purton retaining the ride. He’ll take a bit of beating this week. #2 Heroic Master has been racing well of late. Hugh Bowman hops up and he gets his chance from an ideal gate. #4 Harmony Fire can find the front and give this group something to reel in. He gets a handy 10 pounds taken off his back with the apprentice up. #3 Happy United is next in line.

Race 2: Hallasan Handicap

#8 Precision Goal can find the front from gate one. He’ll give this group something to reel in from there, especially for an in-form David Hayes. #6 Circuit Elite turned his form around last start and can continue to perform at that level with the apprentice up. #7 Loyal Ambition steps out for a red-hot Caspar Fownes stable. He loves the Valley and can easily make his presence felt here under under Vincent Ho. #11 Brother Pearl slots in light and while hard to figure out, he definitely have a bit of ability.

Race 3: Yeongcheon Handicap

#3 Beau Gosse has improved significantly in Class 5 and he can continue to race well here, especially with Hugh Bowman engaged. He draws ideally and rates as the one they all must beat. #4 Mr Good Vibes is lightly raced and continues to make steady headway. He draws well and should roll forward in a bid to get his chance. #1 Noble One is suited in Class 5 and can contend against this group, even with top-weight assigned. #2 Tactical Command has some ability and warrants consideration.

Race 4: Daegu Handicap

#8 Great Achiever is better than his record suggests. He can surprise soon enough and this contest appears more than suitable. Take a chance on him this week with Jerry Chau retaining the ride. #1 Ma Comet is lightly raced and can improve with the step down in grade. #9 Lean Master was a tidy winner two starts back. He goes about his racing the right way and just needs to overcome the wide draw. #11 Gorgeous Vitality slots in light and has the runs on the board. He’ll find form again.

Race 5: The Korea Racing Authority Trophy Handicap

#2 Duke Wai ran well at Happy Valley earlier this season. If he manages to reproduce that effort then he’ll take a bit of beating here. His class will carry him a long way. #9 Humble Star returns from a setback after scoring back-to-back wins. He carries the featherweight and has a suitable draw for Karis Teetan. #7 Harmony N Blessed is after consecutive wins. Expecting he rolls forward from barrier three to get his opportunity. #1 Whizz Kid is next in line.

Race 6: Incheon Handicap

#9 Young Victory has returned to a seriously competitive mark. He’s racing well at present and Jerry Chau retains the ride this week. #2 Snowalot is in serious form as he seeks back-to-back wins. He carries a bit more weight, although does pair favourably with Zac Purton once again. #10 Can’t Go Wong has found his feet and can continue to take the right steps forward. He goes about his racing well and the inside draw is a plus. #4 Pegasus General has been consistent this season. Next best.

Race 7: Busan Handicap (2nd Section)

#7 Glory Cloud has done well across four starts in Hong Kong. He’s showing the right signs of improvement and Hugh Bowman’s retention is a big advantage. One to beat. #6 Sight Supreme makes his debut after a solid recent trial. He draws ideally and makes his debut under Zac Purton. #4 Diamond Flare has the inside gate on his side and chances are he rolls forward to press for the lead. #2 Our Lucky Glory is after back-to-back wins. He’s found a return to form and can make his presence felt this week.

Race 8: Busan Handicap (1st Section)

#4 High Percentage broke through for his first win last start. He was rewarded following a string of near misses with that win. Zac Purton stays up and he shapes as the one they all must beat. #3 Togepi has a powerful finish on his day and he gets his chance this week. #1 Golden Long has an inside gate and is racing well. Expecting he’ll take up a forward position here and get every opportunity. #12 Happy Feeling is after a first win and continues to make the right progress. Next best.

Race 9: Seoul Handicap

#9 Flamingo Trillion is suited with the forecasted rain throughout this week. He grows an extra leg on the surface and can easily thrive here, if he gets it. Take a chance on him if the rain continues. #3 Noble Pursuit is a nice horse and knows how to win. He’s won three races this season and is clearly much better suited to racing at Happy Valley. #1 Gallant Waking has a powerful finish and gets his chance here. #7 Intrepid Winner can mix his form but loves the course and distance. Next in line.