Declan Schuster's Hong Kong selections and analysis for Wednesday, May 1, 2019

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, May 1, 2019)

Race 1: #8 Gunnar, #7 Travel Datuk, #4 Mr Right, #5 General Iron
Race 2: #3 Sports Master, #12 Happy Happy, #6 Peace On Earth, #10 Ambitious Speedy
Race 3: #7 Lucky Thought, #9 Precious Sweetie, #1 Jolly Convergence, #10 Natural Flare
Race 4: #4 Happy Warrior, #8 Glory Star, #10 Ishvara, #1 Acclaimed Light
Race 5: #10 E Master, #11 Very Rich Man, #4 Endearing, #1 Dragon Pioneer
Race 6: #4 Har Har Heart, #6 Last Kingdom, #3 Racing Luck, #9 Magnetism
Race 7: #3 Blitzing, #5 Beauty Spark, #10 Confucius Day, #7 Alcari,
Race 8: #3 Arcada, #9 Perfect Pair, #2 Vincy, #1 Marzouq

Race 1: Kwun Tong Handicap

#8 Gunnar finished fifth on debut following an impressive trial success at Happy Valley. He’ll have taken plenty of experience from that run and he’s capable of going on with it here. #7 Travel Datuk has placed in all but two of his seven runs this season. He’s still yet to win from 31 starts but his consistency should see him finish thereabouts. #4 Mr Right is a seven-time Happy Valley winner. Vincent Ho is expected to use the draw (5) to push forward and he’ll look the winner for a long way. #5 General Iron won well at his most recent. He’s a chance to make it back-to-back successes.

Race 2: Tseung Kwan O Handicap

#3 Sports Master has placed second in his last three starts. He was withdrawn from his latest on vet’s advice but since then he’s trialled where he finished midfield under his own steam. He’s worth taking a chance on if he’s returned to form. #12 Happy Happy is another who has placed second on numerous occasions. He’s struggled across his 21 starts for the most part but he appears to have found his feet and he’s worth including. #6 Peace On Earth is a winner over this course and distance already this season and he’s capable of scoring another here. #10 Ambitious Speedy mixes his form but he gets a handy claim from Victor Wong (-5lb) which sees him carry just 116lb.

Race 3: San Po Kong Handicap

#7 Lucky Thought turned his form around last start to place third. He’ll need to overcome the draw (12) but he’ll relish the step up to 1200m and with Zac Purton aboard, shapes as the one to beat. #9 Precious Sweetie scored impressively over this course and distance last start. He’ll find himself in the right spot and he’s capable of getting into the finish. #1 Jolly Convergence is a two-time Happy Valley winner. He’ll need to shoulder 132lb but in his favour is the class edge. #10 Natural Flare got off the mark two starts back at Sha Tin. He’s racing well and can’t be overlooked.

Race 4: To Kwa Wan Handicap

#4 Happy Warrior is in career-best form. He was an excellent winner three starts ago before notching up two consecutive runner-up finishes. He shapes as the horse to beat, especially with Zac Purton on his back. #8 Glory Star scored in his first two runs this season. The wide draw (11) will make it difficult here, although there’s every chance that he crosses to lead and proves hard to pass. #10 Ishvara has been consistent of late. He’ll push forward to give himself every chance. #1 Acclaimed Light is next best.

Race 5: Cheung Sha Wan Handicap

#10 E Master flashed home for third last start and if he can produce that effort again he’ll be hard to beat. He’s a two-time Happy Valley winner already this season and a third would not surprise. #11 Very Rich Man was rewarded with his first win this season two starts ago. He was beaten for speed from the wide draw last start but this is an easier contest and he should get his chance. #4 Endearing was an eye-catching winner last start. He remains in Class 3 and he’s capable of going back-to-back. #1 Dragon Pioneer hasn’t been far away of late. He gets the handy claim from Victor Wong (-5lb) and he should be thereabouts.

Race 6: Hung Hom Handicap

#4 Har Har Heart won well second up this season before recording four consecutive second place finishes over this course and distance. He’s drawn (1) to get the gun run and he looks well-placed to run another big race here. #6 Last Kingdom is still winless from 15 attempts in Hong Kong. He has however been consistent of late and it’s only a matter of time before he breaks through. #3 Racing Luck is a two-time winner over this course and distance. He was half a length off back-to-back wins last start and if he’s held his form since then, he should get into the finish. #9 Magnetism has struggled of late but if he finds his best he should be thereabouts.

Race 7: Cheung Sha Wan Handicap

#3 Blitzing should push forward to lead from the inside gate (2). He’ll make his own luck out in front and he’ll prove difficult to run down. #5 Beauty Spark has impressed on the trial track. He’s drawn a touch awkward but he should cross and give himself every chance on the speed. #10 Confucius Day turned his form around last start to finish third. He’ll need a race run to suit but he remains a big watch at Happy Valley. #7 Alcari is winless this season. He’ll get back and be flashing home late.

Race 8: Hung Hom Handicap

#3 Arcada loves the course and distance. Newly licensed jockey Aldo Domeyer will ride and he’s a live chance of taking home a winner on his first day of race-riding in Hong Kong. He’ll find himself in the right spot from the draw (4). #9 Perfect Pair is chasing the hat-trick. He steps up to Class 3 for the first time which is always difficult but he’s shown plenty of natural talent. #2 Vincy gets the draw (1) on his side and he should improve back on the turf from the dirt. #1 Marzouq struggled on the speed last start but his best is up to this.