Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, May 19, 2021
HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, May 19, 2021)
Race 1: #5 Wonder Express, #3 Baby Storm, #4 Red Majesty, #7 Diamond Star
Race 2: #7 Galaxy Racer, #2 President Star, #5 Nitro Express, #4 Big Bang Bong
Race 3: #9 Oversubscribed, #1 Victory In Hand, #11 Happily Friends, #3 Panzerschreck
Race 4: #3 Good Shot, #2 Dragon Baby, #7 Inno Legend, #5 Flaming Passion
Race 5: #10 Chikorita, #7 Rhapsody, #3 Ares, #1 Falcon Turbo
Race 6: #4 Ming Warrior, #3 Royal Racer, #6 Chater Pins, #5 Seaweed Fortune
Race 7: #7 Spontaneous, #2 Be Ready, #1 Joyful Union, #11 Here Comes Ted
Race 8: #5 Transcendent, #3 Special M, #1 Stock Legend, #7 Stoicism
Race 9: #1 Cinquante Cinq, #10 Superbella, #2 Golden Spectrum, #7 Entrusted
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Race 1: Tan Shan River Handicap (2nd Section)
#5 Wonder Express is competitive in his spot. He draws well for Vincent Ho and with even luck he gets his chance to go one better here. #3 Baby Storm is a winner in this grade already this season. It wouldn’t surprise to see him knock up another one here. #4 Red Majesty is looking for back-to-back wins. He only needs to offset the rise in weight to be competitive. #7 Diamond Star draws well and is paired with Joao Moreira. He bears close watching.
Race 2: Tan Shan River Handicap (1st Section)
#7 Galaxy Racer has narrowly missed on a number of occasions this term. He’s nearing a win and in this grade, with the right run, he is capable of getting on the board. #2 President Star is a two-time winner from his last three starts. He’s racing well and with the in-form Karis Teetan engaged, he should get every chance. #5 Nitro Express is competitive in his spot. He’s slipped down the ratings with age but he is a Class 3 winner, albeit back in 2017 which still commands a bit of respect. #4 Big Bang Bong gets a soft gate which is crucial to his chances. Don’t discount.
Race 3: Nam Chung River Handicap
#9 Oversubscribed draws well and is a two-time course and distance winner. He’s up in grade but he has been competitive in Class 4 and a win looks close. #1 Victory In Hand rarely runs a bad race. Karis Teetan has a solid record aboard this galloper and he’s expected to be competitive at the top of the handicap. #11 Happily Friends slots in light and gets his chance again. #3 Panzerschreck steps out on debut for trainer John Size and Joao Moreira. He bears close watching.
Race 4: Shan Pui River Handicap (2nd Section)
#3 Good Shot is racing well but does need overcome the sticky gate. Still, with a clean run and a bit of luck he is capable of finishing over the top of this lot, especially with Zac Purton booked. #2 Dragon Baby won well on debut before finishing an unlucky sixth last start. He has a stack of ability and it wouldn't surprise to see him bounce back. #7 Inno Legend mixes his form. Still, he’s shown that on his day he’s more than capable in this grade. Suspect with the right run he can test these. #5 Flaming Passion is lightly raced and on the up. He’s open to further improvement.
Race 5: Shan Pui River Handicap (1st Section)
#10 Chikorita has knocked up a number of good runs recently. He’s in solid form and with a clean run he is capable of getting the best of this contest. #7 Rhapsody is competitive in his spot. He narrowly missed last start and is expected to perform again, assuming he handles the city circuit at his first try. #3 Ares’ mixes his form but his best is very, very good. The draw favours him, as has the recent drop to down to Class 4. #1 Falcon Turbo is getting down to his mark. Don’t discount him back in grade.
Race 6: Tai Shing Stream Handicap
#4 Ming Warrior is without a win from seven tries although he is showing steady improvement. He draws gate one which should give him every chance advance further. #3 Royal Racer gets a handy seven-pound claim from apprentice Alfred Chan. He’s a two-time winner this term who has race-experience on his side. #6 Chater Pins has shown steady improvement across nine starts in Hong Kong. He’s starting to find his feet in Class 4 and the engagement of Zac Purton commands respect. #5 Seaweed Fortune is next best.
Race 7: Kam Tin River Handicap (2nd Section)
#7 Spontaneous is a three-time winner from four starts this campaign. He’s gone from strength-to-strength since returning from injury and although he steps up in grade, he does appear capable of stringing another one together here. #2 Be Ready draws well and gets his chance. He owns a slick personal best over the trip which holds him in good stead. #1 Joyful Union mixes his form but is more than capable on his day. Ruan Maia gets an excellent chance to get back on the board here with a horse that he narrowly missed board two starts ago. #11 Here Comes Ted slots in light. He has a powerful finish and the engagement of Joao Moreira commands respect.
Race 8: Kam Tin River Handicap (1st Section)
#5 Transcendent soared into third two starts ago running up backsides last time out. He’s clearly in-form and with luck he gets his chance. #3 Special M closed off in style on debut and is open to further improvement. Suspect with an inside gate he can make his presence felt. #1 Stock Legend has a stack of ability. He has a powerful finish on his day and if he brings his best he should be able to test this lot. #7 Stoicism is on the up. He’s worth keeping safe.
Race 9: Lam Tsuen River Handicap
#1 Cinquante Cinq is a winner in this grade and he finds a suitable contest here. He mixes his form but he couldn't have looked more impressive in a recent trial and if he translates that form to race day, then he is the one to beat. #10 Superbella demolished his rivals by over four lengths last start. He just needs to handle the class-rise to be competitive. #2 Golden Spectrum is racing well and is a course and distance winner already. He draws ideally and has looked to be relishing racing in Class 3. #7 Entrusted actually closed off quite well last start. He’s worth supporting on a win and place line, especially if he is a big price which he is most likely going to be.