Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, December 28, 2022

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, December 28, 2022)

Race 1: #8 Fortune Triple, #2 Medic Elite, #4 Beauty Nova, #3 Asian One
Race 2: #3 Rise Brethren, #2 Running Glory, #6 Enjoying, #7 Looking Great
Race 3: #5 Prosecco, #2 Flaming Passion, #1 Fun N Glory, #8 Island Surprise
Race 4: #12 Raging Blaze, #1 G One Excellent, #2 Colourful Prince, #9 Tronic Mighty
Race 5: #11 Winwin Thirtythree, #5 Sunny Delight, #3 Star Contact, #10 Perfect To Great
Race 6: #8 United Endeavors, #3 Spicy Grill, #5 Lean Hero, #12 Theta Hedge
Race 7: #6 Oversubscribed, #3 Rattan Kingdom, #8 Vantastic Choice, #2 Harmony N Home
Race 8: #11 Humble Star, #3 California Cible, #2 Seizing The Moment, #1 Adios
Race 9: #4 Amazing One Plus, #2 Comet Splendido, #8 Exceptional Nice, #12 Storm Legend

Race 1: Wong Yi Chau Handicap

#8 Fortune Triple is racing well. He didn’t have the best run last start and can improve following that effort. He’s in good condition and rates as the one to beat here. #2 Medic Elite broke through for an impressive first win last start. He gets Zac Purton up and the inside draw should give him every opportunity once more. #4 Beauty Nova should get the run of the race from gate one. He’s mixed his form but gets his chance here following an eye-catching run for third last start. #3 Asian One is next best.

Race 2: Chek Keng Handicap

#3 Rise Brethren is in superb form and he can get another win here. The distance is of no concern as a winner over this trip last term. He’s the one to beat. #2 Running Glory can turn his form around. He’s much, much better than that and this contest appears more than suitable. Strong booking of Zac Purton. #6 Enjoying could find the front and lead this group. Expect he does that and from there he should take a bit of running down. #7 Looking Great has the light weight and gets his chance from gate two under Karis Teetan.

Race 3: Pak Tam Chung Handicap (1st Section)

#5 Prosecco is racing well and is closing in on a first win. He finished off with plenty of merit last start and he has been knocking on the door for a while now. #2 Flaming Passion gets his chance. He’s sound in this grade and should be race fit. #1 Fun N Glory has a stack of ability and it wouldn’t surprise to see him turn his form around. Strong booking of Hugh Bowman warrants consideration. #8 Island Surprise was a tidy winner two runs back and he’s since held his condition. He should get every chance to win again here.

Race 4: Wong Shek Handicap

#12 Raging Blaze is yet to win. Still, he’s been racing well lately and a first win is coming quick. Strong booking of Silvestre de Sousa suggests that he’s wound-up and ready to perform, especially with only 117lb assigned. #1 G One Excellent is doing everything right except win. He’s looking to snap a hat-trick of runner-up efforts and gets another strong chance to do so here. #2 Colourful Prince gets a handy 10lb taken off due to the apprentice hopping up. He draws well and could well lead. #9 Tronic Mighty is next best.

Race 5: Tai Long Tsui Handicap (2nd Section)

#11 Winwin Thirtythree narrowly missed last start and he can atone for that effort here. He gets a favourable light weight and with even luck he can easily go home best. #5 Sunny Delight won well two runs back. He’s in good shape and even his last run when eighth saw him far from disgraced. #3 Star Contact pairs favourably with Zac Purton. He was a strong first-up winner and since then he has been performing in sound condition. #10 Perfect To Great is yet to win but has done his best racing at Happy Valley. Keep safe.

Race 6: Tai Long Tsui Handicap (1st Section)

#8 United Endeavors is in form and closing in on another win. He did well last start to finish one length off the winner and he’s favoured here, especially from the inside draw as he continues to improve with each run. #3 Spicy Grill has done everything right this season except win. Expect another sound effort. #5 Lean Hero did well at the tail of the field last start. He can improve again here getting out over further. #12 Theta Hedge slots in light and rises in grade after his latest effort which he won. Keep safe.

Race 7: Pak Tam Chung Handicap (2nd Section)

#6 Oversubscribed caught the eye two runs back and has since performed well. He has a powerful turn of foot on his day and with the right run he is capable of storming over the top of this group. #3 Rattan Kingdom won well last start and is in sound form. He draws favourably and Zac Purton’s booking is a plus. #8 Vantastic Choice caught the eye at the tail of the field last start. He’s worth an each way ticket at odds. #2 Harmony N Home doesn’t know how to run a poor race. Keep safe.

Race 8: Long Ke Handicap

#11 Humble Star makes his Hong Kong debut. He’s trialled quite well in the lead-up to his first appearance and the inside draw should ensure his chance. He looks to have above average ability and has settled into the city well. #3 California Cible was well supported last start and closed off nicely for fourth. He can build on that effort here. #2 Seizing The Moment can mix his form at times but does have the ability. Zac Purton’s booking warrants respect. #1 Adios is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s a talent and is worth keeping safe.

Race 9: Luk Wu Handicap

#4 Amazing One Plus draws favourably and is racing in superb form. He can take this one out with the run of the race, which should ensure he saves ground throughout. #2 Comet Splendido is a talent and deserves to be more than just a one-time winner. He’s nothing short of consistent and Zac Purton’s booking is a good push. #8 Exceptional Nice is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He’s in career-best form and is finally getting the rewards for his consistency. #12 Storm Legend slots in light and should finish off strongly, as always.