Hong Kong Saturday night: Champions Day picks and analysis

Hong Kong racing is back Saturday night, running at 12:45 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.

SHA TIN SELECTIONS by Declan Schuster

Race 1: No. 2 Packing Hurricane, no. 9 Reach Goal, no.3 Ensured, no. 14 Happy Won

Race 2: No. 9 Super Contented, no. 3 Lucky Encounter, no. 5 Beauty Destiny, no. 12 Good Boy
Race 3: No. 5 Capital Delight, no. 7 Prince Of Porty, no. 1 Supreme Lucky, no. 9 Northern Beaches
Race 4: No. 1 Happy For All, No. 2 Storm Legend, no. 6 Red Hare King, no. 9 Round The Globe
Race 5: No. 1 Lucky Sweynesse, no. 4 Courier Wonder, no. 5 Duke Wai, no. 3 Sight Success
Race 6: No. 2 Ching, no. 13 Owners’ Praise, no. 1 Flying Quest, no. 5 All Beauty
Race 7: No. 1 Golden Sixty, no. 6 My Oberon, no. 2 California Spangle, no. 9 Voyage Bubble
Race 8: No. 6 Prognosis, no. 5 Money Catcher, no. 3 Danon The Kid, no. 1 Romantic Warrior
Race 9: #7 Taj Dragon, no. 5 Beauty Missile, no. 2 Capital Legend, no. 12 Unpresuming
Race 10: No. 5 Keefy, no. 4 Beauty Eternal, no. 8 Tuchel, no. 2 The Irishman

Race 1: Goahead Group Handicap

No. 2 Packing Hurricane has raced without luck in both his last two starts. He was caught on the fence both times and with a clean shot, he arguably goes super close in each of those outings. One to beat. No. 9 Reach Goal won well two runs back and should continue to hold his condition. He has a touch of class over this trip. No. 3 Ensured has mixed his form but has shown the capabilities to suggest he can win over this trip. The potent combination of Bowman/Hall command respect. No. 14 Happy Won is next in line.

Race 2: ACT Private Handicap

No. 9 Super Contented can improve following an inconclusive first-up run for 10th. He raced at the tail of the field that day but did make good ground late. Strong booking of James McDonald catches the eye. No. 3 Lucky Encounter has claims. He closed for second on debut and improvement is expected. No. 5 Beauty Destiny steps out on debut. He’s caught the eye at the trials, impressing and has turned into the talk of the town. Expect a big showing. No. 12 Good Boy is making the right progress. Keep safe.

Race 3: BOCOM Handicap

No. 5 Capital Delight caught the eye in his latest trial. Expecting he has much more ability to come, especially following several smart runs in Australia pre-import. No. 7 Prince Of Porty is after a third consecutive win. He continues to raise the bar and looks capable of doing so again this weekend. No. 1 Supreme Lucky continues to do the same. He remains in Class 3 following a smart win last start. No. 9 Northern Beaches can figure after closing off into fifth position last time out.

Race 4: CCB (Asia) Handicap

No. 1 Happy For All has the talent to lift his racing to the next level. He gets the services of Zac Purton again which will ensure he goes close once more. No. 2 Storm Legend has gone close a few times across his short career. Surprised he isn’t already a winner but with the prospect of a fast pace, he can make his presence felt. No. 6 Red Hare King has hit the ground running and can continue to take the right steps forward. Gate one will afford him his chance. No. 9 Round The Globe is a lightly raced talent. Keep safe.

Race 5: G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize

No. 1 Lucky Sweynesse has won his last four races for a reason. He’s in superb form and has clearly become Hong Kong’s premier sprinter. He’s the one to beat and he only needs to hold his form to be winning. No. 4 Courier Wonder is the value. He’ll get a race run to suit and a clean run home should afford him his chance late on. Take an each way ticket on him this weekend. No. 5 Duke Wai can contend. He’s been without luck at times, however, with age he has improved. No. 3 Sight Success will get his chance up on the pace.

Race 6: 10 Years Young Celebration Handicap

No. 2 Ching continues to do everything right. He put in a smart gallop at Sha Tin this week on the turf and his recent form, showing three wins from his last four starts, should see him prove hard to beat once more. No. 13 Owners’ Praise mixes his form but has the class. His win earlier this term was full of merit and deserves respect. No. 1 Flying Quest can improve racing in Class 3. His latest run in the grade was inconclusive. Take on trust. No. 5 All Beauty gets the services of Joao Moreira. Expect a big run.

Race 7: G1 Champions Mile

No. 1 Golden Sixty is Hong Kong’s champion and he is well placed to win a third straight FWD Champions Mile. His form this term has been nothing short of exceptional and a smooth run in transit, behind an ideal speed, can see him go on with it. No. 6 My Oberon brings some impressive Australian Group 1 form to Hong Kong. Expecting a strong showing here, especially after his second last start in the Doncaster Mile. No. 2 California Spangle is the likely leader. He’ll take catching. No. 9 Voyage Bubble is next best.

Race 8: G1 QEII Cup

Prepared to take a chance on no. 6 Prognosis in the QEII Cup. He’s continued to improve across his short career and does appear more than capable of taking another step here. Reports are that he needs an experienced senior rider, which he gets in the form of Zac Purton. No. 5 Money Catcher is tough, honest and capable of testing this group. Take an each way ticket on him to lead throughout. No. 3 Danon The Kid is smart. He can make his presence felt. No. 1 Romantic Warrior is pure class on his day. Next best.

Race 9: NCB Handicap

No. 7 Taj Dragon was seriously impressive last time out. He can continue his ascent here, especially with Vincent Ho sticking aboard after his latest win. The wide gate is a challenge but he appears capable of overcoming it. No. 5 Beauty Missile is lightly raced and has the necessary ability to be winning here. He should be a decent price to upstage this lot. No. 2 Capital Legend has ability and pairs favorably with Hugh Bowman. He can mount a case. No. 12 Unpresuming slots in light and has claims. Keep safe.

Race 10: CMB Wing Lung Bang Handicap

No. 5 Keefy returned to form last time out with a solid fourth in the BMW Hong Kong Derby. That’s his true form and he looks like he’s getting back on track now. He can showcase his proper form this weekend as a winner in the grade above. No. 4 Beauty Eternal is a superb talent and Zac Purton will need to be at his best to offset this draw. Still, he’s got boatloads of ability that is yet to be seen so far. No. 8 Tuchel is honest and this will ensure his chance. No. 2 The Irishman is next best. Good draw, keep safe.

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.