Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, September 14, 2022

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, 14 September, 2022)

Race 1: #6 See U Again, #2 Charming Steed, #8 Vamos, #9 Pretty Queen Prawn
Race 2: #8 Hercules, #1 H Z Tourbillon, #2 Goodluck Goodluck, #7 Hero Star
Race 3: #2 Valiant Elegance, #1 Elon, #6 Super Vince, #7 Awesome Treasure
Race 4: #5 Wins All, #10 Day Day Rich, #1 Goodmanship, #7 Gold Gold Baby
Race 5: #6 Sight Hero, #4 Hardly Swears, #1 Kokushi Musou, #3 Harmony N Home
Race 6: #2 Big Two, #4 Vincy, #7 Kungfumaster Panda, #1 Fearless Fire
Race 7: #8 Comet Splendido, #3 Romantic Combo, #6 Viva Hunter, #1 Nothing New
Race 8: #3 Five Elements, #1 Nicconi County, #9 Xponential, #5 Beauty Glory

Race 1: Big Wave Bay Handicap

#6 See U Again is racing well and should already be a winner in Hong Kong. He’s done nothing wrong so far and should get every opportunity here under Zac Purton – who on Sunday – collected a treble. #2 Charming Steed is a winner in this grade. Happy Valley suits him and he shapes as the main danger. #8 Vamos mixes his form but is closing in on a first win. If they go hard early on, it’ll suit his chances. #9 Pretty Queen Prawn is coming to hand. A first win in town is very, very close.

Race 2: Chung Hom Kok Handicap (2nd Section)

#8 Hercules is doing a lot right and he should get the run of the race here from gate one. Strong booking of Silvestre de Sousa who will ensure he gets every chance. #1 H Z Tourbillon makes a favourable return to Class 4. He should improve in this grade and has shown previously that he is more than capable here. Chances are #2 Goodluck Goodluck rolls to the front. He can take a bit of getting past at times. #7 Hero Star is chasing back-to-back wins. He appears to have held his condition and does have consistency on his side.

Race 3: Deep Water Bay Handicap

#2 Valiant Elegance can hug the rail and score a dream run throughout. Pace looks to be strong so chances are he doesn’t get a sole lead, however, he might not even need that to get on the board once more. #1 Elon’s best is blistering. Expect he comes from off the pace and he is one who will be suited by the prospects of a hot tempo. #6 Super Vince steps out on debut. Strong booking of Zac Purton first-up for Frankie Lor which commands respect. #7 Awesome Treasure impressed in a recent trial at Conghua. Keep safe.

Race 4: Middle Bay Handicap

#5 Wins All has dipped to a competitive mark. His last run in Class 5 returned a win and the prospects of him getting another here look strong, especially with Zac Purton electing to ride. #10 Day Day Rich trialled up well. He can find the front under Lyle Hewitson who knows exactly what’s required to rate a frontrunner. #1 Goodmanship is chasing back-to-back wins. He won with authority last start and gets another chance in the same grade here. #7 Gold Gold Baby turned his form around last start. The break will have done him a world of good.

Race 5: Chung Hom Kok Handicap (1st Section)

#6 Sight Hero should have won more races last season but unfortunately the cards didn’t fall his way. Still, he’s trialled well ahead of his return and the draw should ensure him every opportunity. #4 Hardly Swears has tumbled down to a competitive rating. Zac Purton’s spotted this and his booking commands respect. #1 Kokushi Musou is chasing back-to-back wins. He has the class edge but in saying this, he also must shoulder top weight. #3 Harmony N Home returned to his best at the tail-end of last season. Don’t discount.

Race 6: The Community Chest Cup Handicap

#2 Big Two is after consecutive wins. He’s been without luck throughout his career in Hong Kong but that could well be about to change. Expect he’s wound up to perform first-up and his class could carry him a long way here. #4 Vincy is back in Class 4 which is a huge plus. He has the class to win this race, however, he is getting on in age as an eight-year-old. #7 Kungfumaster Panda knows how to win at the Valley. He won’t be favoured but has the tendency to surprise at times. #1 Fearless Fire gets his chance, albeit with the big weight.

Race 7: Repulse Bay Handicap

#8 Comet Splendido found form late last season. He’s since caught the eye at the trials and looks big threat as one of three in the race for Danny Shum. A replication of his final run last term could see him go on with it. #3 Romantic Combo is arguably better on the dirt but he has been known to surprise on turf. The inside draw suits him here. #6 Viva Hunter starred with three wins last season. He doesn’t know how to run poorly and Zac Purton’s booking bears close watching. #1 Nothing New has the class, though he does need to offset a hefty impost.

Race 8: Shek O Handicap

#3 Five Elements was knocking on the door all last season. He gets his chance here from an ideal draw which should offer up the run of the race. One to beat. #1 Nicconi County is a two-time winner from five starts. He has a touch of class and did well to cross the line first in a recent barrier trial. #9 Xponential doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He looks wound up and should be fighting out the finish. #5 Beauty Glory is closing in on a first win. Expect he’s ready to fire first-up with Zac Purton engaged.