Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, September 21, 2022

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, September 21, 2022)

Race 1: #6 Yee Cheong Warrior, #8 Sunny Delight, #3 King Tourbillon, #1 Jade Phoenix
Race 2: #8 Prime Minister, #4 Fa Fa, #5 Sunny Star, #1 Telecom Fighters
Race 3: #2 California Forest, #1 Fabulous Eight, #4 See U Again, #8 Pretty Queen Prawn
Race 4: #11 Smart Cousin, #9 Loyal Ambition, #10 Success Allstars, #2 Circuit Elite
Race 5: #6 Island Surprise, #3 Cigar Buddies, #8 Sunny And Gold, #9 Hearty Wish
Race 6: #2 My Ecstatic, #5 Packing Famous, #8 Storm Legend, #1 Copartner Elites
Race 7: #8 Super Mission, #3 Like That, #2 Drops Of God, #4 Rising From Ashes
Race 8: #5 Turin Warrior, #1 Wood On Fire, #6 Durham Star, #10 Cordyceps One

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Race 1: Sai Wan Ho Handicap

#6 Yee Cheong Warrior narrowly missed first-up last term. He looks wound up to perform fresh and if his record is anything to go by then he is expected to put in a big effort. #8 Sunny Delight is so, so close to a first win. Still, he pairs favourably with Joao Moreira here which should give him every opportunity from the inside gate. #3 King Tourbillon can reverse his form after finishing down the track last start. The good gate enhances his claims and he’s an each way chance. #1 Jade Phoenix has the class and deserves respect.

Race 2: Causeway Bay Handicap

Ricky Yiu is in flying form and #8 Prime Minister can continue his handler’s hot run here. He’s raced well fresh in the past and his latest trial effort was nothing short of impressive. One to beat. #4 Fa Fa loves Happy Valley and has shown he is much better suited to racing at the city circuit. The break will have done him a world of good as his form tailed off last season. #5 Sunny Star will come from well back but does have the class to finish over the top when circumstances permit. #1 Telecom Fighters has claims but needs a few favours.

Race 3: North Point Handicap

#2 California Forest led in his latest trial and chances are they try the same again on race day. Expect from gate one he finds the front and from there is worth taking a chance on as he clearly has more ability than his record suggests. #1 Fabulous Eight is chasing back-to-back wins. Ricky Yiu’s yard is flying and he looks to be in cracking order. #4 See U Again refuses to win but he has notched four consecutive minor placings from his last four runs. Keep safe. #8 Pretty Queen Prawn has a little more improvement to come. Next best.

Race 4: Tai Hang Handicap

#11 Smart Cousin narrowly missed first-up and he can win now having had the benefit of a first-up run. He looks well, draws well and profiles as the one to catch here. #9 Loyal Ambition mixes his form but he is much, much better than his last run suggests. Joao Moreira’s booking bears close watching. #10 Success Allstars is better than his form reads. He’s lost his way a touch but it wouldn’t surprise to see him finish off under the light weight. #2 Circuit Elite can figure with the right run from the good gate.

Race 5: Shau Kei Wan Handicap

#6 Island Surprise is closing in on a first win and his trial in preparation for his return was nothing short of eye-catching. He’s raced well at Happy Valley in the past and with Zac Purton engaged he should get every opportunity. #3 Cigar Buddies should find the front and can take catching in this grade. Antoine Hamelin knows him well and he just needs to offset the tricky draw. #8 Sunny And Gold won well two runs back and he’s trialled well in the lead-up to his return. #9 Hearty Wish has a win coming his way this season. keep safe.

Race 6: Fortress Hill Handicap

#2 My Ecstatic is a straightforward customer. Expect he finds the front and from there he could well take plenty of catching. He trialled well and looks forward enough to win first-up. #5 Packing Famous missed narrowly first-up last week. He’ll have taken plenty of benefit from that run. Expect a strong effort from a suitable draw. #8 Storm Legend has shown he has the ability but he is struggling to piece it all together. Still, Joao Moreira’s services command respect. #1 Copartner Elites is classy and should be a winner already. Keep safe.

Race 7: Chai Wan Handicap

#8 Super Mission is one of several chances for trainer Ricky Yiu at the midweek card. He moved well in a recent trial at Conghua, enough so to suggest that he is ready to fire first-up this season. #3 Like That is a consistent customer. He’s favoured here stepping away from gate one with Joao Moreira engaged. #2 Drops Of God was very plain first-up at Sha Tin. He drew poorly that day and should be much, much better for the run. Zac Purton takes the ride from a good gate. Keep safe. #4 Rising From Ashes is next best.

Race 8: Quarry Bay Handicap

#5 Turin Warrior turned in an excellent performance at his final outing of last season and his latest trial suggests that he remains in very good form. He can breakthrough here for Richard Gibson and Alexis Badel. #1 Wood On Fire is consistent and has the class. He’ll just need to offset the tricky draw. #6 Durham Star is competitive in his spot. He has claims from the middle draw under Lyle Hewitson. #10 Cordyceps One is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He hit form and should get a sweet run in transit.