Hong Kong Friday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong racing from Happy Valley is on Friday morning at 6:10 EST. Free PPs are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.

Race 1: 3 Boom Alliance, 4 Happy Hero, 8 Golden Fairy, 6 Loyal Ambition

Race 7: 5 Armour Eagle, 3 Lucky Archangel, 8 A Americ Te Specso, 7 Golden Empire

Race 8: 1 Silver Sonic, 4 Quantum Patch, 2 Tourbillon Prince, 8 D Star

Race 1: Tung Wan Shan Handicap

No. 3 Boom Alliance is racing well and looks ready for the step up in trip this week. Zac Purton hops up, and he should relish the rise in distance, especially in Class 5. No. 4 Happy Hero has competed well so far this season and he can make his presence felt. The inside gate will afford him the run of the race. No. 8 Golden Fairy slots in light and he’s favored at the bottom of the handicap over this type of trip. He can improve. No. 6 Loyal Ambition loves the course and distance. He’s a winner in this grade and is capable of giving this race a big shake.

Race 2: Nam Long Shan Handicap

No. 6 General Ace has looked well ahead of his return. He was finding his feet late last season and this is the sort of contest where he could really put his best foot forward. The wide draw is a slight concern, however, he should settle worse than midfield anyway. No. 5 Get The Monies is hard to catch but he is showing signs of improvement this season. He draws ideally and should receive a sweet run. No. 11 Happily Friends is consistent and will be fighting out the finish once again. No. 8 Double Show is chasing back-to-back wins. Next in line.

Race 3: Middle Gap Handicap (1st section)

No. 11 Palace Pal should arguably already be a winner. He’s done well across his career without scoring, narrowly missing on several occasions but he gets a super chance here under the light weight. No. 9 Reliable Profit has mixed his form but should improve with a switch back to the turf. Expect improvement. No. 4 Turin Warrior can save ground from the draw. He’s racing well and only needs an ounce of luck to be going very close. No. 1 Snowalot has gate two and consistency on his side. James McDonald rides. Keep safe.

Race 4: Middle Gap Handicap (2nd section)

No. 4 Aromatica caught the eye last start. He turned in a super competitive effort that day and can build on that effort here. He draws ideally and is worth taking a chance on, hopefully at decent odds. No. 1 Golden Link has a bit of class. He steps up in trip now, which appears hugely ideal, especially with Hugh Bowman hopping up. No. 11 Right Honourable continues to close hard and fast. He’s a winner already this term and his consistency holds him in good stead. No. 6 Happy Angel will get his chance racing on the speed. Keep safe.

Race 5: Pat Sin Leng Handicap (2nd section)

No. 2 Kilindini is racing in career-best form, and a first win in Hong Kong is very, very close. He gets another excellent chance this season in Class 4 under James McDonald. No. 12 Lyrical Motion is racing well and is favored under the featherweight. He’ll be right there once again from gate one, which should afford him a sweet run on the speed. No. 5 Gorgeous Vitality can mix his form but should be able to make his presence felt from an ideal draw with Hugh Bowman engaged. No. 4 High Rise Soldier is racing well and can build off his last-start fourth.

Race 6: Pat Sin Leng Handicap (1st section)

No. 9 Cheong Fat can return in style. He was racing well last season and can improve first-up, especially with Zac Purton aboard. One to beat from an ideal draw. No. 7 Lucky Quality comes into this following two placings. He’s in the right vein of form to prove competitive once again. No. 1 Togepi was a superb winner two starts back. He’s a chance to string a few wins together now and is suited by remaining in Class 4. No. 12 Super Eagle continues to race well and is favored with no weight on his back. He’ll be finishing fast.

Race 7: High West Handicap

No. 5 Armour Eagle appears ready to put his best foot forward this term. He draws ideally here and pairs favorably with James McDonald as a two-time course and distance winner who can bounce into his best form. No. 3 Lucky Archangel is a three-time winner from his last four starts. He was only fair last start but does get his chance here from a very good gate. No. 8 A Americ Te Specso has been solid all season and should be doing the same again this week under Zac Purton. No. 7 Golden Empire is next in line. Don’t discount.

Race 8: Pak Tam Au Handicap

No. 1 Silver Sonic is chasing back-to-back wins. He was nothing short of excellent last start and does have the scope to improve once more. Zac Purton sticks aboard, he draws gate two and this is his race to lose. No. 4 Quantum Patch is racing well and can take another step in the right direction here. He draws well in gate three. No. 2 Tourbillon Prince won well last start and remains in the same grade. He’s next in line. No. 8 D Star mixes his form but on his day he’s class. The ideal draw and low weight enhance his claims.

Declan Schuster grew up loving the sport and doing the form after Pierro won the 2012 Golden Slipper. His love for racing in Asia and the puzzle of finding winners took him to Hong Kong, where he is employed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. His favorite racecourse is Happy Valley.

Coverage of the entire Hong Kong Thoroughbred season at Horse Racing Nation is made possible through a sponsorship by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.