Hong Kong Saturday night: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong racing is back Saturday night, running at 1:00 a.m. EDT in North America. Free PPs are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.

Race 1: 2 Hava Nageela, 5 Secret Vision, 7 Yes We Can, 3 So We Joy 

Race 2: 8 Asian One, 1 Amazing Teens, 4 Billionaire Secret, 7 High Cloud 

Race 3: 14 Speedy Fortune, 9 Star Club, 5 Dan Attack, 2 Innoconstruction

Race 4: 9 Vanquisher, 6 War Weapon, 3 The Hulk, 1 Darci Joy 

Race 5: 7 Call Me Teddy, 3 Lucky Banner, 9 I Give, 4 The Best Hero

Race 6: 9 Gummy Gummy, 8 Adefill, 2 Sunny Boy, 3 Toronado Phantom

Race 7: 7 Galvanic, 9 Blue Marlin, 5 Lost Child, 6 D Star 

Race 8: 4 Thesis, 11 Setanta, 2 Brave Dreams, 3 Midori Beauty 

Race 9: 3 California Voce, 5 Beauty Inspire, 6 Run Run Buddy, 13 Top Top Tea 

Race 10: 5 Bourbonaire, 2 Savvy Nine, 12 Straight Arron, 10 Alacrity 

Race 1: D’Aguilar Peak Handicap

No. 2 Hava Nageela won well last start. He looks to have found his niche on the dirt and with even luck appears well placed to continue his ascent here. Small field is no concern and he can win again. No. 5 Secret Vision knows what to do on the dirt. He’s been without luck at times but should get every chance here against only six opponents. No. 7 Yes We Can rarely runs a bad race and he can contend with the right luck. No. 3 So We Joy can finish thereabouts. Strong booking of Hugh Bowman commands respect.

Race 2: Magazine Gap Handicap

No. 8 Asian One is a two-time winner from his last four starts. He continues to improve under the care of Jamie Richards, especially with more and more experience. One to beat this weekend. No. 1 Amazing Teens is chasing back-to-back wins. The inside gate should allow him to do next to no work throughout. No. 4 Billionaire Secret can figure as long as he manages to offset the tricky draw. He’s nearing a first win and several of his runs this season have seen him go close. No. 7 High Cloud is next best.

Race 3: Middle Gap Handicap

No. 14 Speedy Fortune is in the right form to be winning here. He slots in light, should get a few favors and has the necessary racing experience to suggest a win could come this week. No. 9 Star Club steps out on debut. He appeared to have much more left under the hood in a recent trial on turf. No. 5 Dan Attack impressed in that same recent trial under Zac Purton, who retains the ride on race day. He appears to have his fair share of ability. No. 2 Innoconstruction has claims. Expect he crosses to lead. Keep safe.

Race 4: Mount Butler Handicap

No. 9 Vanquisher looks like a miler and his placement by trainer Douglas Whyte only enhances this claim. His latest effort was sound, enough so to suggest that there is plenty more improvement to come. Take a chance. No. 6 War Weapon is without a win. He continues to run well from the tail of fields before coming up short each time. Zac Purton hops up here and he gets one of his better chances against a small field. No. 3 The Hulk is holding his condition. No. 1 Darci Joy has the class and should be thereabouts.

Race 5: Mount Davis Handicap

Taking a throw at the stumps with No. 7 Call Me Teddy. This horse has shown his ability on dirt previously, albeit a while ago, and if he manages to reproduce any of those efforts then he should be fighting out the finish. His recent form isn’t ideal but it wouldn’t surprise to see him reverse it any time. No. 3 Lucky Banner is chasing back-to-back wins. He just needs to offset gate 12, which will be a challenge. No. 9 I Give can fly to the front. He’ll give them something to catch. No. 4 The Best Hero is consistent. 

Race 6: The Kowloon Cricket Club Centenary Cup Handicap

No. 9 Gummy Gummy gets his chance to get on the board here. This race will be a challenge but his improvement continues to soar rapidly. Zac Purton’s up and he gets his opportunity. No. 8 Adefill was made to work last start when he won at his Class 3 debut. He can continue to progress but he can’t afford to make any mistakes against this lot. No. 2 Sunny Boy can take catching when he gets the right run in the lead. The inside gate should see him press for the front. No. 3 Toronado Phantom is in the mix.

Race 7: Pottinger Peak Handicap

No. 7 Galvanic is a winner in waiting. He gets the draw here and the services of Zac Purton, both of which should ensure one his best chances to win yet. He can take another step forward here. No. 9 Blue Marlin has mixed his form but clearly has the potential. It wouldn’t shock to see him bounce out of the ground. No. 5 Lost Child impressed when winning last time out. Hugh Bowman retains the ride and his ascent looks far from over. No. 6 D Star is lightly raced but does have his fair share of talent. Next best. 

Race 8: The Association Of Hong Kong Racing Journalists Challenge Cup Handicap

No. 4 Thesis has shown steady improvement. He gets the right draw here and has displayed enough across his last two runs to suggest that a win is nearing. He’s classy and looks acclimatized. No. 11 Setanta gets a few favors here from an inside draw. He slots in light and should get his opportunity for an in-form stable. No. 2 Brave Dreams is a two-time winner from his last three starts. He’s found his groove and deserves respect this weekend, even if he steps away from a wide gate. No. 3 Midori Beauty is next best.

Race 9: Siu Ma Shan Handicap

No. 3 California Voce brings some tidy form over from Ireland to Hong Kong. As well as this, his latest trial at Conghua was nothing short of eye-catching. He appears well placed to fire first-up, especially from an ideal draw against this group. No. 5 Beauty Inspire continues to improve. Zac Purton sticks aboard, which is a big plus. No. 6 Run Run Buddy is a two-time winner from his last three starts. He can atone for defeat last time out. No. 13 Top Top Tea steps up to Class 3. He appears to open to further improvement. 

Race 10: Wan Chai Gap Handicap

The forecast of rain this weekend could easily suit an in-form No. 5 Bourbonaire. He closed off impressively for third last time out and is worth taking a chance on here with conditions to suit, including the forecast of rain and a good draw. No. 2 Savvy Nine has the class to be winning this race and gate one will see him with his opportunity. He’s Group 1-placed and racing in Class 2. No. 12 Straight Arron has the scope to improve and should continue to do so. No. 10 Alacrity can continue his ascent here. Don’t discount.

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.