Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, November 23, 2022

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, November 23, 2022)

Race 1: #8 Faribault, #2 Amazing Rocky, #7 Trust Me, #1 Sparkling Dolphin
Race 2: #3 Theta Hedge, #9 Medic Elite, #10 Mister Monte, #4 Flash Famous
Race 3: #12 Concerto, #8 Baebae Tsoi, #2 Big Two, #1 Lucky Gold
Race 4: #3 Yo Beauty, #5 Beauty Tycoon, #2 Igniting, #6 Charmander
Race 5: #6 Lifeline Vision, #4 Turin Warrior, #1 Spicy Grill, #5 Right As Rain
Race 6: #2 Power Koepp, #9 Jumbo Legend, #7 Solid Impact, #5 Happy Sharing
Race 7: #2 Killer Instinct, #11 E Rainbow, #4 Hercules, #9 Shadow Runner
Race 8: #9 Storm Legend, #11 Keen Unity, #5 En Pointe, #4 Zone D

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Race 1: Lam Tin Handicap

#8 Faribault returns first-up over a suitable course and distance. He’s done a fair bit of work ahead of his reappearance and he looks well placed here. #2 Amazing Rocky should come up a fairly short-priced favourite. He’s doing everything right and will get every opportunity under Zac Purton. #7 Trust Me catches the eye. Expect he can lead and from there he’ll have his best shot at scoring another win. Take an each way ticket on him. #1 Sparkling Dolphin should push forward also. Keep safe.

Race 2: Sau Mau Ping Handicap

#3 Theta Hedge is tracking towards a first win. He’s in sound form and should be able to take another step forward with Vincent Ho sticking aboard. #9 Medic Elite does nothing wrong except he just can’t quite seem to get his nose in front. Regardless, his consistency holds him in good stead, as does Silvestre de Sousa’s booking. #10 Mister Monte should roll forward and prove tough to get past. Take him each way if he comes up a decent price. #4 Flash Famous also has consistency on his side. Next best.

Race 3: Ngau Tau Kok Handicap

#12 Concerto did well to finish fourth first-up. He looks like he can take another step forward here and he should be decent odds to do so. He can win with no weight on his back. #8 Baebae Tsoi should hit the front and lead. He’ll need to cross from the wide draw but does get a handy 10lb claim from apprentice Angus Chung. #2 Big Two is consistent and that should be rewarded once more. #1 Lucky Gold is tracking towards a first win. He boasts some decent form in the past.

Race 4: Kowloon Bay Handicap

#3 Yo Beauty should find the front here and play catch me if you can. He could prove difficult to get past, especially from barrier one with Angus Chung’s 10lb claim in action. #5 Beauty Tycoon has the ability he just tends to mix his form. The booking of Zac Purton looks suitable and the inside draw should ensure he gets every opportunity. #2 Igniting is as solid as they come. Take an each way ticket on him. #6 Charmander will improve. He did well on debut in Hong Kong and does appear to have potential.

Race 5: Ngau Tau Kok Handicap

#6 Lifeline Vision has the draw which should see him save ground over this trip. He is rock hard fit now and with the run of the race he can win. #4 Turin Warrior should arguably be a winner already. Still, he’s racing well and Zac Purton’s booking is a bonus. #1 Spicy Grill stepped up in trip last time out and took it all in his stride to finish second. He can do similar again here. #5 Right As Rain has the ability but is a costly commodity. Nevertheless, he’ll be running on from the rear of the field.

Race 6: Kowloon Bay Handicap

#2 Power Koepp is well placed to run well. He charged home last start only to hit a dead end when it counted. Expect he can atone for that effort here and give this contest a real shake. #9 Jumbo Legend is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He’ll have to rise to Class 3 now but he does appear capable of managing this step up. #7 Solid Impact is racing well and a first win is close. Zac Purton’s services signal strong intent. #5 Happy Sharing makes his own luck close to the speed. This gives him every hope each outing.

Race 7: Ngau Chi Wan Handicap

#2 Killer Instinct loves the Valley and makes a favourable return here following his midfield finish on the dirt when first-up. He can take a big step forward, especially with the good gate. #11 E Rainbow draws well and gets his chance again following a solid effort for second last start. #4 Hercules knows what it’s all about. He’s in a rich vein of form at the minute. #9 Shadow Runner can improve following his first-up effort. Expect him to do that from gate one.

Race 8: Kwun Tong Handicap

#9 Storm Legend is so, so close to a first win in Hong Kong. Suspect he can get it here following a pair of solid efforts over the course and distance at his last two starts. He’s an excellent chance for Jye McNeil to get his first win. #11 Keen Unity should slip to the rear and finish off strongly. He’s better than his record suggests. #5 En Pointe could lead under the apprentice here. If so, he’ll take catching. #4 Zone D is consistent and a return to winning ways is coming for him.