Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, September 13, 2023

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, September 13, 2023)

Race 1: #2 Multimore, #3 Theta Hedge, #6 Goodmanship, #8 Valhalla
Race 2: #3 Durham Star, #8 Nice Birdie, #9 Prosecco, #5 Sturdy Ruby
Race 3: #2 Snowalot, #5 Mega Bonus, #3 Lucky Archangel, #1 Denfield
Race 4: #1 Sight Hero, #3 Happy Soul, #4 Joy Coming, #7 Exuberant
Race 5: #2 Hameron, #4 Splendid Living, #9 Eighteen Palms, #1 California Voce
Race 6: #1 Super Commander, #6 Pachisi, #5 Sergeant Pepper, #8 Oversubscribed
Race 7: #2 California Deeply, #5 Magniac, #6 Heroic Master, #3 Explosive Witness
Race 8: #1 Reward Smile, #7 Allgreektome, #10 One For All, #2 Superb Capitalist

Race 1: Yi O Handicap

#2 Multimore has the right draw and should be able to find an early lead with Zac Purton aboard. He mixes his form but does do his best racing at this course. One to catch in this grade. #3 Theta Hedge has the right draw and strung several consistent runs together at the tail-end of last season. #6 Goodmanship has a handy draw and remains a threat. He knows what to do over this course and distance. #8 Valhalla slots in light and can improve following his first-up effort last Sunday. Keep safe.

Race 2: Tung Chung Handicap

#3 Durham Star won first-up last season and rates strongly to do the same again here. He’s taken to this trip with ease and gets a strong opportunity this week. #8 Nice Birdie mixes his form but knows how to win on his day. This is a suitable starting point this season from him and he remains a threat, especially after his trainer had a treble on the weekend. #9 Prosecco is nothing short of consistent. Expecting him to hold his condition and compete in this contest. #5 Sturdy Ruby is lightly raced but going places. Next in line.

Race 3: Tai O Handicap (2nd Section)

#2 Snowalot was in the form of his life at the end of last season. He can continue to race at that level this season. One to beat. #5 Mega Bonus draws well and should find an early lead. He can prove tough to reel in at times and shapes as a leading chance for Andrea Atzeni to collect a first win this term. #3 Lucky Archangel has consistency on his side and an ideal booking with Hugh Bowman up. #1 Denfield has a bit of class and should get every opportunity, even under the hefty impost.

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Race 4: Tai O Handicap (1st Section)

#1 Sight Hero is always around the mark. Hugh Bowman takes the ride first-up and he looks wound up to perform strongly first time out this season. #3 Happy Soul is ready to seriously start climbing the handicap. Zac Purton rides this week and he remains a threat for the in-form Danny Shum stable. #4 Joy Coming is chasing back-to-back wins. He looks ready to make his ascent now and the inside gate is a bonus. #7 Exuberant can mix his form but on his day he’s good. Don’t discount.

Race 5: Ngong Ping Handicap

#2 Hameron showed a stack of class when winning last start and can continue to race at that level of form this season. He draws ideally and should get his opportunity to log back-to-back wins at Happy Valley. #4 Splendid Living doesn’t know how to run a poor race and this contest shouldn’t be an exception. #9 Eighteen Palms has found his feet and just needs to defy the wide gate for Lyle Hewitson. #1 California Voce makes his Happy Valley debut. Hugh Bowman does the steering from gate one, which is a big help.

Race 6: Sha Lo Wan Handicap

#1 Super Commander is chasing back-to-back wins. Expect he leads this contest from an ideal draw under Luke Ferraris. He’s the one to catch. #6 Pachisi has a stack of ability, however, the wide barrier is going to make things difficult here. Still, he gets the services of Zac Purton which ensures him an excellent chance of overcoming this hindrance. #5 Sergeant Pepper brings the right form to this and should get the right run from gate four. #8 Oversubscribed has a powerful finish. He’ll be running on late.

Race 7: Chek Lap Kok Handicap

#2 California Deeply has a stack of quality and he can take this contest out. The inside draw is suitable and he gets one of his better chances here, especially against a suitable field. #5 Magniac burst on the scene two starts ago with his first win. He can continue his ascent now, especially with added maturity between seasons. #6 Heroic Master gets gate one. He might be close to reaching his mark, however, Zac Purton’s booking speaks volumes. #3 Explosive Witness has the ability and is in with his shot here.

Race 8: Mui Wo Handicap

#1 Reward Smile is a serious horse on the rise and he should get a race run to suit here. Expect he can take up a position just behind the leading duo before pouncing in the straight. #7 Allgreektome is fast and does have claims here. Zac Purton has chosen to ride here, so chances are he’s fully wound up to perform fresh. #10 One For All is a horse in form and he gets an excellent chance for Mark Newnham as his first ever runner in Hong Kong. #2 Superb Capitalist should do his thing out in front. Next in line.