Hong Kong Saturday night: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong racing from Sha Tin returns on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. EST. Free PPs are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.

Race 2: 6 Columbus County, 3 All For St Paul’s, 7 Rise Brethren, 4 Champion Dragon.

Race 3: 11 Prince Chiswick, 4 Raging Blizzard, 2 Victory Scholars, 8 Gorgeous Win.

Race 4: 3 Lucky With You, 2 Flying Ace, 9 Lucky Encounter, 6 Bundle Of Charm.  

Race 5: 2 Eighty Light Years, 9 G Liner, 6 Circuit Nine, 13 Lucky Fun. 

Race 6: 2 Sweet Encounter, 11 Intrepid Winner, 4 Turin Mascot, 10 C P Brave. 

Race 7: 4 Duke Wai, 2 Wellington, 1 Lucky Sweynesse, 3 Sight Success. 

Race 8: 4 Voyage Bubble, 1 California Spangle, No. 5 Beauty Eternal, 3 Healthy Happy. 

Race 9: 6 Straight Arron, 4 Five G Patch, 7 Sword Point, 3 Money Catcher. 

Race 10: 6 The Heir, 2 Celestial Colours, 10 Pins Prince, 8 Northern Beaches. 

Race 11: 11 Let’s Do it, 7 Golden Samurai, 4 Simple Hedge, 6 Massive Action.

No. 10 Star Club appears better than his record suggests. He can improve now, especially after an eye-catching set of trials for new trainer David Hall. Take a chance on him first up for the stable. No. 8 Romantic Hero has been trialing up a storm. He has his share of ability and this contest shapes as a suitable starting point. No. 7 Patch Of Time gets the services of Zac Purton. He’s working well ahead of his debut. He has a suitable barrier to make his presence felt. No. 3 Party Warrior has claims and is next in line. Keep safe.

No. 6 Columbus County can improve second-up, especially with Vincent Ho hopping up. He’s a nice horse on his day and this grade of racing is more suitable. He can win off this rating, his lowest in a considerable amount of time. No. 3 All For St Paul’s will play catch me if you can. He takes some reeling in and his racing pattern has him favored. No. 7 Rise Brethren knows how to win over the course and distance. No. 4 Champion Dragon can race on the speed. He’ll get his opportunity from there under Alexis Badel.

No. 11 Prince Chiswick is a smart horse and he can improve second-up. His latest trial was nothing short of impressive and he can advance further this weekend. No. 4 Raging Blizzard returns after a lengthy break. He’s since trialed well and pairs favorably with Zac Purton this time around for John Size. He does need to overcome gate 11 though. No. 2 Victory Scholars gets 10 pounds off his back with the apprentice up. No. 8 Gorgeous Win makes his debut and has been doing plenty right at home and in trials. Keep safe.   

No. 3 Lucky With You was all class when winning last time out against several of this weekend’s rivals. Expecting he can get the right run close to the speed and prove tough to get past, especially second-up. No. 2 Flying Ace roared into second spot last start. He can improve following that run and give this group something to worry about. No. 9 Lucky Encounter rises in grade chasing a hat-trick of wins. He’s a nice horse but this is a big step up. No. 6 Bundle Of Charm will make his own luck. Next in line.

No. 2 Eighty Light Years has caught the eye ahead of his return. He’s trialed well and steps away from a favorable draw here as he chases a first Hong Kong win. No. 9 G Liner was caught too far back with too much work to do last start. He’s better than that and Vincent Ho’s booking suggests he has the ability. No. 6 Circuit Nine caught the eye last start, rolling into fourth position at his first run back this season. He can advance following that performance. No. 13 Lucky Fun is next in line.

No. 2 Sweet Encounter couldn’t overcome the wide draw last start. He is much better suited here, especially at Sha Tin where he is a four-time winner. He’ll get the right run and the opportunity should present. No. 11 Intrepid Winner is racing well this season and he can improve once more here. He’s in career-best form and the light weight should afford him the right chance. He can keep developing. No. 4 Turin Mascot is after back-to-back wins. No. 10 C P Brave looks very good this season. Keep safe.

No. 4 Duke Wai has consistency on his side and there are queries regarding a few rivals. He can run his usual race and if any of these falter, he’ll be right there to pick up the prize. Take a chance on him. No. 2 Wellington is first-up after finishing down the track at Royal Ascot. Expecting he’ll be better suited as the season progresses, however, his latest trial was very good. No. 1 Lucky Sweynesse has suffered consecutive defeats. He’s had excuses and is racing well but needs to lift to be winning this one. No. 3 Sight Success is next best.  

Tricky contest with five quality runners heading to post. No. 4 Voyage Bubble returns first-up here and he has a fair bit of improvement still to come it seems. He can fire and the pattern of the race may fall his way. No. 1 California Spangle is the class runner of the field and will be a deserved favorite. He’ll set the pace and take getting past. No. 5 Beauty Eternal is lightly raced and open to continued improvement. Expecting he can do that here with Zac Purton up once more. No. 3 Healthy Happy is honest and deserves respect.

No. 6 Straight Arron will improve as he rises in distance. His latest effort was sound. He will be much better here and he pairs favorably with his favorite ally Vincent Ho. One to beat. No. 4 Five G Patch charged home last start and is continuing to improve. He’s yet to reach his ceiling and is capable of further progression this term. No. 7 Sword Point is another who continues to improve. He’ll be better second-up, especially with Zac Purton up. No. 3 Money Catcher is the pace in the race. Expect another sound performance.

No. 6 The Heir steps out on debut in Hong Kong. He brings a bit of quality form from Australia and his latest trial was sound. He can make his presence felt first-up against this group. No. 2 Celestial Colours also makes his debut. He looks to be in the right condition and he has a bit of speed about him. No. 10 Pins Prince is after back-to-back wins. He was solid last start when winning but will have to contend with Class 3 now. No. 8 Northern Beaches has shown glimpses of talent. Don’t discount.

No. 11 Let’s Do It was squeezed for room at crucial stages in the home straight last start. He was building into the race nicely that day and has shown he’s close to another win in the city. He gets that chance here. No. 7 Golden Samurai has a touch of class and steps away ideally from gate six. He’s suited over this trip and will be better following his first-up run. No. 4 Simple Hedge is after a hat-trick of wins. He just needs to overcome the wide draw to be a factor. No. 6 Massive Action is next in line. He’ll lead and take running down.