Declan Schuster's Hong Kong selections and analysis for Wednesday, April 3, 2019
(Wednesday, April 3, 2019)
Race 1: #7 Lucky Win Win, #2 Open House, #3 Lotus Breeze, #10 Mi Blanco
Race 2: #9 Rochford, #6 Corre Rapido, #10 Hidden Spirit, #2 Massive Move
Race 3: #3 Team Fortune, #1 Encore Boy, #7 Coby Oppa, #6 Just Not Listening
Race 4: #11 Very Sweet Orange, #4 Takingufurther, #6 Kirov, #3 Hearts Keeper
Race 5: #1 Travel First, #2 Remarkable, #10 Deal Maker, #3 Enfolding
Race 6: #3 Star Luck, #2 Dr Proactive, #6 Nice Fandango, #11 Grand Harbour
Race 7: #7 Winner Supreme, #3 Blitzing, #4 Joyful Moments, #8 Endearing
Race 8: #13 Ping Hai Treasure, #11 Right Honourable, #14 Good Fit, #6 Volpino
Race 1: Yan On Handicap
#7 Lucky Win Win has only raced once this season, where he finished a distant last at Sha Tin (Sunday, 12 January) on turf. His only win came on the dirt at the tail end of last season and since then he’s looked impressive in two recent trials. He’ll turn his form around back on the dirt. #2 Open House receives a welcome drop in class. He’s led on the dirt previously and if he does it again, he’ll give them something to run down. #3 Lotus Breeze is the veteran of the field having raced 61 times for three wins. The in-form Joao Moreira takes the reins following a treble last Sunday at Sha Tin. #10 Mi Blanco has mixed his form across 22 starts, but the one win of his career did come on the dirt over 1650m. He’s worth consideration.
Race 2: Sun Tin Wai Handicap
#9 Rochford has placed in his last two runs on the dirt. He was in a race for the speed early last start which caused him to fade to finish third. He’ll use the draw (1) to lead and make his own luck. #6 Corre Rapido powered away to score by two-and-three-quarter lengths last start on the dirt. He’ll put himself on the speed and get every chance. #10 Hidden Spirit made up ground to finish runner up behind Corre Rapido. His racing pattern is proving costly, but he’s capable of recording a top three finish. #2 Massive Move is a two-time winner on the dirt. He can finish around the mark.
Race 3: Hin Yiu Handicap
Tricky race with a stack of early speed on paper from the likes of #5 Winning Supreme, #6 Just Not Listening, and #7 Coby Oppa; all of whom are likely to push forward and lead. This may set up for a back-marker and of those; #3 Team Fortune is the most likely. He took advantage of a fast-run race last start to finish second and he’s capable of going one better on Wednesday. He’s reached a winning mark and the draw (3) will ensure that he is tough to beat. #1 Encore Boy returns to Class 3 following a last-start fourth in Class 2. He’ll relish the drop in class and if they run along at a decent pace, there should be no excuses. #7 Coby Oppa led and won well two starts ago in Class 4 before stepping up to Class 3 in his most recent at Happy Valley, where he finished a narrow fourth. Trainer Frankie Lor’s 37% strike rate over 1200m on the dirt commands respect. #6 Just Not Listening is another who will push forward. He’s a two-time winner already this season who is capable of getting into the finish.
Race 4: Mei Tin Handicap
#11 Very Sweet Orange led last start but was run down by Gift Of Lifeline to finish second. Me Tsui is striking at 20% on the dirt over 1200m this season and he’s employed the services of Alfred Chan; whose 10lb claim will see him carry only 108lb. He’ll lead and take running down. #4 Takingufurther was simply awful on debut up the straight (1000m) at Sha Tin. He’s since led and won a trial on dirt with blinkers which he gets race day. He could be value. #6 Kirov won impressively first up this season. He’s since struggled, but he’s returned to a mark which should see him be competitive. #3 Hearts Keeper is the veteran of the field having raced 74 times for eight wins. Seven of his eight wins have come on the dirt at Sha Tin (1200m). He deserves respect.
Race 5: Sha Kok Handicap
#1 Travel First warrants forgiveness for his last start run. He set an unsustainable tempo which saw him fade to near last. All three of his wins have come on dirt and in a race devoid of early speed; he’s capable of racing away from this bunch. #2 Remarkable has placed in two of his last three starts. Moreira jumps on which suits and with the right run he shapes as the main challenger. #10 Deal Maker gets in well with only 116lb on his back. He’s a three-time placegetter on the dirt this season. #3 Enfolding has been poor across his eight-start career, but he should improve dropping back in distance to 1650m.
Race 6: Mei Tin Handicap
Another race with plenty of speed from the likes of #5 Lunar Zephyr, #6 Nice Fandango, #7 Sky Treasure and #11 Grand Harbour. #3 Star Luck pushed forward from the wide draw (12) last start, resulting in a distant tenth place on debut. Suspect he is better ridden with a sit and his two trial efforts prior to his debut run were impressive. He’s capable of turning his form around. #2 Dr Proactive finished a distant runner up to Winner Supreme last start. He was the best of the rest that day in a strong race and with Zac Purton aboard, he rates as the main danger. #6 Nice Fandango should use the draw (1) to lead. He won’t be alone up on the speed, but he’ll find the rail which he’ll use to his advantage. #11 Grand Harbour gets in with only 112lb on his back. He can’t be overlooked.
Race 7: Hin Yiu Handicap
The Me Tsui-trained #7 Winner Supreme was dominant last start when scoring a gate-to-post success by five lengths last start. He’ll need to overcome an 11-point ratings rise, but appears capable of doing so. #3 Blitzing is a talent from the Tony Cruz yard. He’s a three time winner already this season, but he faces a tough task coming up against Winner Supreme, who won’t simply just hand him the lead. #4 Joyful Moments closed well to finish fifth last start. His best racing is done on the dirt and he should be running on. #8 Endearing’s had four runs since joining the John Moore yard. His first win for Moore isn’t too far away.
Race 8: Mei Lam Handicap
#13 Ping Hai Treasure comes into this following a last-start third at Happy Valley. He’ll push forward to lead under Joao Moreira and himself every chance to record a breakthrough win. #11 Right Honourable has notched up a win and two placings from six runs already this season. Chan’s claim (-10lb) will see him carry only 113lb on his back. #14 Good Fit is a 51-start veteran. He’s notched up three wins this season on the dirt and Trainer Frankie Lor is striking at 33% on the surface over 1800m. He’ll be finishing fast from the wide draw (12). #6 Volpino made up ground to finish a competitive fourth last start. He’s open to further improvement.