Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, December 29, 2021

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, December 29, 2021)

Race 1: #7 Run Run Good, #2 Shanghai Power, #8 Viva Mama, #10 The Elites
Race 2: #5 Silver Express, #1 Kings Shield, #3 Californiadeepshot, #6 The Rock
Race 3: #11 Legion Of Merit, #2 Super Fast, #7 Toycoon, #5 Amazing Teens
Race 4: #4 Turf Brilliant, #3 London Luckystar, #2 Crown Avenue, #1 All You Know
Race 5: #8 Dragon Baby, #2 Super Win Dragon, #11 Run The Table, #1 Solar Power
Race 6: #8 Splendid Star, #5 Fiery Diamond, #9 Valiant Elegance, #3 Everyone’s Victory
Race 7: #5 Turin Redstar, #3 Ultra Express, #7 Ready Player One, #1 Chancheng Prince
Race 8: #8 Sunset Watch, #4 Man Star, #6 When You Believe, #1 Czarson

Race 1: Tai Wai Handicap

#7 Run Run Good is looking for a first win. He’s shown a liking to the dirt and with even luck he rates as the one to beat. He pairs favourably with Joao Moreira. #2 Shanghai Power is expected to roll forward. He’ll look the winner at some stage. #8 Viva Mama draws awkwardly but he appears in good condition. Don’t discount here. #10 The Elites won two starts ago. Expect him to bounce back here. The light weight looks ideal for him here, especially in this grade.

Race 2: Fo Tan Handicap

#5 Silver Express won a hot Class 1 last start. He steps onto the dirt for the first time here but his most recent trial on the surface was solid. Expect a forward showing from him here, especially from gate three. #1 Kings Shield is the dirt kingpin of Hong Kong. He can bounce back to his best here following a poor run on the grass. Top weight won’t make his life easy, however. #3 Californiadeepshot is racing well. He’s the value. #6 The Rock has claims, especially with Joao Moreira hopping up.

Race 3: Siu Lek Yuen Handicap

#11 Legion Of Merit slots in light and looks like he’s ready to win. He steps up to a suitable trip and his latest hit-out on the dirt suggests that he’s suited to the surface. #2 Super Fast is solid on the dirt. Expect he rolls forward with the claim in use and tries to make all. #7 Toycoon is consistent. He doesn’t win out of turn but the retention of Joao Moreira is a good push, especially after their slashing run together last start. #5 Amazing Teens is after back-to-back wins. He’s next best.

Race 4: Tin Sam Handicap

#4 Turf Brilliant loves the course and distance. Once again he rates strongly, just as long as he doesn’t get too far back in the run here. #3 London Luckystar is another course and distance maestro. He’s yet to win but he has shown a liking to these conditions. His pairing with Joao Moreira commands respect. #2 Crown Avenue is competitive in his spot. Gate four looks ideal. #1 All You Know trialled well on the dirt recently. He gets his chance here. Slight concern with the hefty impost, however.

Race 5: Shing Mun River Channel Handicap

#8 Dragon Baby is open to improvement off the back of his solid fourth-placed effort last time out. He’s since trialled well on the dirt and his latest workout alongside Silver Express was sound. #2 Super Win Dragon has form on the dirt. The wide gate makes things tricky but he has claims. #11 Run The Table is chasing back-to-back wins. He should get a nice run close to the speed from gate six. #1 Solar Power is the likely leader, especially with the seven-pound claim in use. Gate three suits.

Race 6: Sha Tin Wai Handicap

#8 Splendid Star looks like he has a bit of ability. The inside gate gives him his chance here and his latest hit-out on the dirt was sound, while the only concern is the lack of race-experience. He looks worth taking a chance on. #5 Fiery Diamond narrowly missed last time out. He’s coming to hand very quickly. #9 Valiant Elegance stole the show last start with a tidy runaway victory. Expect he tries the same again. #3 Everyone’s Victory won well two starts ago. His climb through the grades doesn’t look done.

Race 7: Sha Tin Hoi Handicap

#5 Turin Redstar caught the eye last start. He’s racing well and does appear to be coming to hand at the right time now for a win. #3 Ultra Express is in superb form at the minute. He’s a four-time winner now from 12 starts in Hong Kong who is proving a formidable force on both surfaces. Expect he’s the favourite to win. #7 Ready Player One was caught wide last time out. He kept on well considering and this contest is suitable. #1 Chancheng Prince has class. Don’t discount. He can bounce back.

Race 8: Pai Tau Handicap

#8 Sunset Watch loves the course and distance. He should be a nice price here, especially as a one-time winner on the surface last season. His run two starts ago is the form to go off, last start was a total forgive run from the wide gate. #4 Man Star has a stack of ability on the dirt. Expect a big performance, especially with Karis Teetan up from gate three. #6 When You Believe logged a career-best run last start. He’s nearing a win but this race is deeper than it first looks. #1 Czarson’s best and worst are few and far between. Still, he’s a talent on the dirt.