Declan Schuster's Hong Kong selections and analysis for Wednesday, May 8, 2019

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, May 8, 2019)

Race 1: #3 Play Wise, #6 Buddies, #9 Speedy Wally, #5 Flash Famous
Race 2: #7 Sweetie Barley, #4 Mehboob, #12 Corre Rapido, #9 Lunar Zephyr
Race 3: #7 Exponents, #1 Majestic Endeavour, #10 The Happy Bunch, #5 Otouto
Race 4: #4 Coolceleb, #12 Very Sweet Orange, #1 Viva Council, #7 Ever Strong
Race 5: #8 Holy Unicorn, #2 General Dino, #1 King’s Man, #9 Bundle Of Energy
Race 6: #5 Glorious Artist, #7 Royal Performer, #1 King Genki, #3 Raging Blitzkrieg
Race 7: #11 Coby Oppa, #4 Team Fortune, #1 Encore Boy, #5 Joyful Moments
Race 8: #2 Chung Wah Spirit, #7 Ping Hai Treasure, #9 Famous Warrior, #5 Volpino

Race 1: Kiu Tsui Handicap

#3 Play Wise is winless from 16 starts. He’s twice placed over 1650m on the turf this season and if he handles the dirt as expected, he’ll prove tough to beat. #6 Buddies has finished under two lengths off the winner at both of his most recent outings. He’s nearing a win and his recent trial success on the dirt suggests that he will handle the surface on race day. #9 Speedy Wally struggled at the rear of the field last start. He’s a three-time winner over 1650m however and from the draw he should sit more prominent in the run this time. #5 Flash Famous is next best.

Race 2: Hap Mun Bay Handicap

#7 Sweetie Barley gets the blinkers first time to sharpen him up and he’s shown enough previously on the dirt to suggest that he was capable of breaking through. Strong booking of Zac Purton. #4 Mehboob was impressive in a recent trial behind Refined Treasure on the dirt and he appears forward enough to find himself in the finish on debut. #12 Corre Rapido is the likely leader. He’s a winner of his last two in dominant fashion and if he handles the class rise, he’s right in this. #9 Lunar Zephyr has struggled of late but he’s not without claims.

Race 3: Silvermine Bay Handicap

#7 Exponents may push forward to lead from the draw (5). He was withdrawn from his latest, however since then he has been put through his paces in a recent trial. He’ll make his own luck out in front and prove tough to reel in. #1 Majestic Endeavour has placed in his last two. He’s a contender in an open race with Zac Purton aboard. #10 The Happy Bunch improved sharply to run second on the dirt last start. He struggled prior but his latest performance commands respect. #5 Otouto has been racing well on the turf. He’ll be thereabouts if he handles the switch of surfaces.

Race 4: Hap Mun Bay Handicap

#4 Coolceleb has gone to a new level since racing on the dirt. He’s drawn to get every chance under Keith Yeung who will be looking to guide him to his second win in three starts. #12 Very Sweet Orange is the likely leader from the draw under Alvin Ng. He’s capable of controlling the race and finishing on top. #1 Viva Council comes into this off two consecutive runner-up efforts on the dirt and is a winner on the surface already this season. Victor Wong’s claim (-5lb) should see him get his chance. #7 Ever Strong notched up back-to-back wins on the dirt earlier this season. He can return to form with even luck.

Race 5: Pui O Handicap

#8 Holy Unicorn has won four from six this season, including twice on the dirt. He loves the surface and from the draw he’s the likely frontrunner of the race. #2 General Dino is a winner of his last two and a third would not surprise. He’ll relish the step up to 1800m and he’s the main danger. #1 King’s Man has been a perennial bridesmaid across his career but his narrow defeat by a neck last start rates highly for this. #9 Bundle Of Energy is racing well and he can’t be overlooked.

Race 6: Cafeteria Handicap

#5 Glorious Artist gets Zac Purton aboard in an attempt to breakthrough for the first time this season. He’s a two-time dirt winner who should enjoy the drop back to 1650m from 2000m. #7 Royal Performer won well on the dirt last start. He’ll need to handle the class rise but he appears capable. #1 King Genki seeks his third straight win and his fourth this season. He’s in career-best form and another forward showing is expected. #3 Raging Blitzkrieg has finished runner-up on four occasions this season. He deserves a win and under Joao Moreira he should push forward to make his own luck.

Race 7: Cheung Sha Handicap

#11 Coby Oppa went under as a short priced favourite last start. He was run off his feet mid-race last start but he still managed to close off strongly for second. He’s a winner on the dirt already and he’ll get his chance to atone for last start. #4 Team Fortune has placed in his last three. He’s racing well and he’s likely to find himself in the right spot. #1 Encore Boy knuckled at the start in his latest. He picked himself up nicely to finish third and his best form is up to this. #5 Joyful Moments gets the handy claim (-5lb) from Wong. He might be able to get into the finish at odds.

Race 8: Clear Water Bay Handicap

#2 Chung Wah Spirit is chasing his third straight success. He’ll find the front from the draw and prove tough to catch with Zac Purton engaged. #7 Ping Hai Treasure broke through for his first win on the dirt two starts ago before finishing second in his latest. He’ll be in the mix somewhere and there’s every chance he scores another win. #9 Famous Warrior finished second by a neck at his only run on the dirt this season. If he finds that form here, he’s right in this. #5 Volpino will be finishing fast from the back. He’s a major player if he gets a race run to suit.