Hong Kong Saturday night: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong racing is back Saturday night, running at midnight EST. Free past performances are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website. 

Race 1: No. 6 Chiron, No. 1 Colourful Baron, No. 7 El Valiente, No. 14 Speed Force 

Race 2: No. 1 Classic Moon, No. 6 Galvanic, No. 9 Golden Luck, No. 5 Star Ascension 

Race 3: No. 4 Rewarding Together, No. 2 Duke Wai, No. 1 Courier Wonder, No. 8 Lucky With You

Race 4: No. 2 Inspiring City, No. 9 Viva A La, No. 11 Little Player, No. 13 Zacian 

Race 5: No. 4 Shining Fortune, No. 7 Gem Of South China, No. 9 The Multiplier, No. 11 Lucky Ruby 

Race 6: No. 2 Perfetto, No. 5 Darci Joy, No. 8 Perfect To Great, No. 7 Indigenous Realm 

Race 7: No. 7 True Legend, No. 2 Berlin Tango, No. 9 Super Win Dragon, No. 6 Apache Pass 

Race 8: No. 11 Perfect Team, No. 1 Running Glory, No. 9 Viva Chaleur, No. 3 The Irishman 

Race 9: No. 5 Lightning Bolt, No. 7 Flying Dragon, No. 11 Adefill, No. 3 Fiery Diamond 

Race 10: No. 13 Happy Day, No. 2 Beauty Inspire, No. 1 Alacrity, No. 7 Invincible Missile

Race 1: Cornwall Handicap

No. 6 Chiron has posted several sound efforts on dirt previously. Expect he can take advantage of gate one and make a big impact from there under Derek Leung. No. 1 Colourful Baron is closing in on a first win. He has the hefty impost to defy but his most recent outing when fourth showed that he is beginning to figure it all out now. No. 7 El Valiente narrowly missed last start when third. He’s in super form and is open to taking another step forward here. No. 14 Speed Force can rattle home under no weight. 

Race 2: Cumberland Handicap

No. 1 Classic Moon had surgery to correct a roaring condition and since then has looked well in his trials and workouts. His first-up win was impressive and any return to that level holds him in good stead. No. 6 Galvanic soared into second position last time out. He’s on an upward trajectory and does appear to have plenty of rating points still in hand. No. 9 Golden Luck steps out on debut. He looks to have his fair share of ability. No. 5 Star Ascension is consistent and does have race experience on his side. 

Race 3: Devon Handicap

No. 4 Rewarding Together is consistent and with even luck he is the one to beat. He’s really hit his straps of late and this contest looks like his to lose. No. 2 Duke Wai has been racing well up in grade. He can improve here and gate one can afford him the run of the race. No. 1 Courier Wonder has the class-edge and pairs favorably with Hugh Bowman. He’ll be fighting out the finish. No. 8 Lucky With You slots in light and is open to further improvement. His latest trial alongside California Spangle was sound.

Race 4: Essex Handicap

No. 2 Inspiring City draws ideally and has shown a stack improvement across his last two runs. Expect he can continue to improve and gate one should give him every chance to showcase this. No. 9 Viva A La is on an upward trajectory now. He’ll be grinding home late. No. 11 Little Player is doing similar. He has the wide draw to overcome this time. No. 13 Zacian is still without a win. He’s usually competitive without winning and this contest, under no weight, should be no exception for him.

Race 5: The Kowloon Tong Club Trophy Handicap

No. 4 Shining Fortune has really stepped it up on dirt. He was unlucky last start at the tail of the field. He can sit closer in the run and expect a big effort from him here with Karis Teetan hopping up. No. 7 Gem Of South China is worth an each-way ticket at odds. He’s done a stack of work ahead of this weekend and chances are he rolls forward to pinch this at massive odds. No. 9 The Multiplier does his best racing over this course and distance. No. 11 Lucky Ruby gets a light weight and has claims here. Next best.

Race 6: Kent Handicap

No. 2 Perfetto was enormous when winning last start. Expecting similar again from him here as he remains in the grade and has a good enough draw to follow suit. No. 5 Darci Joy can save ground and mount a strong case. He’s racing with plenty of merit at the moment, enough so to indicate that he’s very close another win. No. 8 Perfect To Great mixes his form but was nothing short of impressive two runs ago. Keep safe. No. 7 Indigenous Realm will get his opportunity and is close to returning to winning ways.

Race 7: Norfolk Handicap

No. 7 True Legend just keeps taking it to another level and while this is a challenge, his racing pattern will once again afford him every opportunity. Expect he finds the front in order to offset the draw and put a gap on this group turning for home. No. 2 Berlin Tango has a bit of class on the dirt. He can clock a slick time over this course and distance. No. 9 Super Win Dragon bagged a hat-trick of wins earlier this season. The step up in trip is a query but his level of ability is not. No. 6 Apache Pass has claims.

Race 8: Rutland Handicap

No. 11 Perfect Team was without luck last start. He can atone for that effort here with a bit of clean air in the straight. The dip in weight here is a huge plus. No. 1 Running Glory looks to have more improvement left to come. He’ll run on late and get his chance. No. 9 Viva Chaleur has a powerful closing speed and he continues to catch the eye late on in each of his races. No. 3 The Irishman has the class and suspect we still haven’t seen the best of him yet. He’s chasing back-to-back wins and will be favored here.

Race 9: Somerset Handicap

No. 5 Lightning Bolt was untested last start over this course and distance. He was caught behind runners without luck, while running under a full head of steam. Expect he can mount a challenge here with the right room. No. 7 Flying Dragon is chasing back-to-back wins. He remains in Class 3 which suits. No. 11 Adefill rises in grade. He won by over six lengths start and does look to have plenty still up his sleeve. He gets a light weight but he will find this class-rise a much bigger challenge. No. 3 Fiery Diamond is next best.

Race 10: Suffolk Handicap

No. 13 Happy Day is racing well and better than what the form guide says. He has a bit of talent and does know how to run really good time over this course and distance. The well-weighted one to beat. No. 2 Beauty Inspire looks capable of bouncing back after a lackluster effort last start. No. 1 Alacrity finished a competitive fourth on debut in Hong Kong. He brings over some high-class South American form which can continue to hold him in good stead. No. 7 Invincible Missile has a strong closing speed. Keep safe.