Hong Kong Saturday night: Picks, analysis, free PPs

SHA TIN SELECTIONS by Declan Schuster

Race 1: #7 Steel Win, #9 Daily Beauty, #14 Speed Force, #2 Run Des Run
Race 2: #5 President’s Choice, #11 Over The Moon, #12 Reach Goal, #6 Happy Angel
Race 3: #9 Handsome Twelve, #5 Apache Pass, #1 Kings Shield, #7 Chancheng Prince
Race 4: #5 United We Stand, #6 Aameric Te Specso, #8 Smart Leader, #9 Mighty Valor
Race 5: #1 Tamra Blitz, #4 Ching, #10 Perfetto, #3 Golden Bull
Race 6: #14 Green Laser, #8 Nice Birdie, #1 Amazing Teens, #3 Skyey Supreme
Race 7: #13 Samarkand, #9 Tourbillon Prince, #12 Running Ahead, #11 Hit The Shot
Race 8: #2 Viva Chaleur, #1 Sweet Encounter, #7 Majestic Colour, #9 Gallant Waking
Race 9: #3 Sight Success, #4 Courier Wonder, #6 Cordyceps Six, #5 Stronger
Race 10: #5 Nordic Dragon, #2 Amazing Victory, #8 Sinba, #9 Stunning Impact
Race 11: #6 Mighty Stride, #4 Sakewin, #8 Superb Capitalist, #5 Dragon’s Luck

Race 1: Beacon Hill Handicap

#7 Steel Win looks ready to win again. He’s racing well and should improve getting out to this distance on the weekend. Expect him to find an early lead from the draw. #9 Daily Beauty did well two runs back on the dirt. Expect him to return to that level here under the in-form Vincent Ho. #14 Speed Force draws wide but is favoured under 115lb in the form of Karis Teetan. He’ll be finishing fast. #2 Run Des Run is a massive threat and a massive horse weighing in at over 1,503lb at his last start. Keep safe.

Race 2: Bennet’s Hill Handicap

#5 President’s Choice is a winner over the course and distance already this term. Karis Teetan hops back aboard this guy and since that win he has remained in sound form. #11 Over The Moon was without luck late last start. He’s tracking towards a first win and with even luck he gets every chance to nail a first win. #12 Reach Goal is closing in on a first win. He’s taking a step forward with each and every outing. #6 Happy Angel is doing similar. Strong booking of Zac Purton catches the eye.

Race 3: Caroline Hill Handicap

#9 Handsome Twelve is in unstoppable form and he gets another chance to win again with gate two and a light weight. Rising to Class 2 makes things tricky, however, he is added by the two favours listed above. #5 Apache Pass is looking to return to his best here. He also is favoured with no weight and a return to his previous best on the surface will see him prove hard to catch. #1 Kings Shield knows what it’s all about. Expect he rolls forward here. #7 Chancheng Prince has class on the dirt. Keep safe.

Race 4: The Po Leung Kuk Cup Handicap

#5 United We Stand has been racing well this season. He should bounce to the lead once more and from there prove tough to get past, especially from gate one. #6 Aameric Te Specso turned his form around last start. Zac Purton hops up now and he looks ready to test this group. #8 Smart Leader is in sound form and he can still be a factor in Class 4. The booking of Karis Teetan is suitable. #9 Mighty Valor is racing well and can take another step forward here. Expect he rolls forward for his opportunity.

Race 5: Cheung Shan Handicap

#1 Tamra Blitz steps down in grade. He owns a slick personal best over this course and distance and his latest effort was impressive up in Class 3. Hugh Bowman hops aboard and he has the class-edge to win here. #4 Ching is so, so close to a first win. If he’s a price, he’s worth backing. Wait and see what his odds are as it wouldn’t surprise to see him receive a stack of support. #10 Perfetto caught the eye last start with a luckless run from the tail of the field. #3 Golden Bull is consistent and has ability. Next best.

Race 6: Diamond Hill Handicap

#14 Green Laser is tracking towards a first win nicely. He’s showing steady improvement with each and every outing. He pairs with favourably with Vincent Ho off 118lb from gate one. #8 Nice Birdie looks well suited to the rise in distance. Take an each way ticket on him as he is more than likely going to be way over the odds. #1 Amazing Teens gets back into Class 4. He’s racing well and will take a bit of beating here. #3 Skyey Supreme will lead and take catching. He’ll look the winner at some stage.

Race 7: Keung Shan Handicap

#13 Samarkand looks to have his fair share of ability. Chances are he finds the front here and or an economical run close to the speed which should ensure his opportunity. Interesting to note he was very, very well backed last time out. #9 Tourbillon Prince will improve getting up to this trip. This is much more suitable and chances are he finds a prominent position. #12 Running Ahead is better than his form suggests. He’ll improve here after two solid runs this term. #11 Hit The Shot is in superb form. He’s a contender.

Race 8: Lung Fu Shan Handicap

#2 Viva Chaleur did nothing but impress last start and he looks well placed here to get on the board for the first time in Hong Kong. The distance is an unknown, however, he has the class and perhaps this can help him overcome it. #1 Sweet Encounter is a winning machine with four wins from five starts. He draws well and is going to be in the finish once more. #7 Majestic Colour did well on debut in Hong Kong. He can advance further here and might be value to do so. #9 Gallant Waking is next best. He’s capable.

Race 9: G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap

#3 Sight Success is in career-best form. He’s drawn well here, looks open to further improvement and is doing everything right this campaign. One to beat. #4 Courier Wonder is returning to his best. He can take another step forward here after his slashing fourth last start in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint. #6 Cordyceps Six owns a slick personal best over this course and distance. He’ll put himself into contention. #5 Stronger has claims over this course and distance. Keep safe.

Race 10: Tsz Wan Shan Handicap

#5 Nordic Dragon is looking to remain unbeaten with a third win in Hong Kong. He’s hit the ground running since his debut and with even luck he looks well placed to win once more. The rise in distance shouldn’t concern, though gate 12 of 14 isn’t ideal. #2 Amazing Victory is a three-time winner from his last four starts. He’s in career-best form and he pairs favourably with Zac Purton. #8 Sinba can improve from gate one. Expect he performs his odds. #9 Stunning Impact has class and a sharp turn of foot. Keep safe.

Race 11: Tin Wan Shan Handicap

#6 Mighty Stride is looking to remain unbeaten. He’s been nothing short of impressive so far and a few of these should roll forward and set the race up nicely for him. He has an ideal draw and looks the pick. #4 Sakewin is better than his record this term suggests. He’s had excuses but with 10lb coming off he finds a well-suited contest. #8 Superb Capitalist has class but a possible speed battle might not be what he is after. Still he has a touch of class. #5 Dragon’s Luck falls into a similar category. This will be difficult.