Hong Kong Saturday night: Picks, analysis, free PPs for Sha Tin

Hong Kong racing hosts 3 international Grade 2 stakes on Saturday's overnight card at Sha Tin. These races, the Jockey Club Sprint, Jockey Club Mile and Jockey Club Cup, serve as local preps for Grade 1 races in December.

First post is Saturday at 11:30 p.m. EST, 8:30 p.m. PST. Free PPs are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.

Race 1: 4 Flying Double, 1 Blazing Wind, 7 Lucky Impact, 10 Sky Vino

Race 2: 2 Ballistic Win, 1 Oriental Smoke, 10 Win Speed,  5 My Flying Angel

Race 3: 7 Island Breezes, 1 Super Legends, 3 Colourful Winner, 11 Bienvenue

Race 4: 5 Markwin, 6 View Of The World, 3 Owners’ Praise, 7 Amazing Run

Race 5: 8 Midori Glory, 5 Stellar Express, 7 Fast Network, 6 Candlelight Dinner

Race 6: 7 Eighteen Carat, 6 Bravehearts, 10 Family Jewel, 9 Californiatotality

Race 7: 4 Ka Ying Rising, 1 California Spangle, 9 Helios Express, 2 Victor The Winner

Race 8: 2 Beauty Eternal, 5 Galaxy Patch, 1 Voyage Bubble, 7 Red Lion

Race 9: 1 Romantic Warrior, 8 Ensued, 6 Sword Point, 7 Ka Ying Generation

Race 10: 6 Master Mastermind, 4 King Miles, 14 Magnificent Nine, 10 Fantastic Fun

Race 11: 1 Packing Power, 7 Super Infinity, 5 Divano, 9 Patch Of Cosmo

Race 1 - BOCHK Cross-Border Services Handicap

No. 4 Flying Double debuted with a promising fourth-place finish. However, he bounded out of the gates and encountered traffic at the top of the stretch, peaking on his run inside the final half furlong. Natural improvement is expected, and he looks ready to win second-up. No. 1 Blazing Wind has been knocking on the door with two close seconds, and this marks James McDonald’s first ride in his short-term stint—one that could well be a winning start. No. 7 Lucky Impact was favored last time but had veterinary excuses with blood in the trachea. He resumes off two fair trials and could show more here. No. 10 Sky Vino has been trialing nicely leading up to his debut and could surprise.

Race 2 - BOCHK SME IN One Handicap

No. 2 Ballistic Win has been knocking on the door for another victory in three starts this season, and his recent third-place finish behind Master Mastermind reads as solid form for this race. James McDonald in the plate adds confidence to his chances. No. 1 Oriental Smoke drops back into class 4, where he boasts a strong record. Last time, he faded into eighth after setting a sharp early pace against tougher company. He may roll forward again here but will need to navigate from post 10. No. 10 Win Speed secured his maiden victory last start and has trialed well since. He has more to come. No. 5 My Flying Angel will wear blinkers for the first time in Hong Kong, and he was successful wearing them prior to his import. He won a trial nicely in the gear leading up to this race, which suggests he could improve.

Race 3 - BOC Life Handicap

No. 7 Island Breezes looks set for a strong debut from the Pierre Ng stable, with Karis Teetan aboard after guiding him through all his trials; a winning debut appears well within reach. No. 1 Super Legends brings experience and decent form, having followed up a win two starts back with a solid second-place finish last time. No. 3 Colourful Winner put in a game effort from gate 11 last start, narrowly beaten into fourth by Patch of Time, who scored again last week. He’ll need to overcome post 11 once more. No. 11 Bienvenue has been steadily improving with each start, finishing within three lengths on both outings and looking primed to take another step forward here.

Race 4 - BOCHK "Banking Trendytoo" Handicap

No. 5 Markwin was unlucky when runner-up on debut and, last start, found himself too far back after a fair jump in an on-pace dominated race. However, his closing third had plenty of merit, and he's ready to win. No. 6 View Of The World has drawn post 11 in all four starts so far. While he won from there two starts ago, it wasn’t his day last time, though he still ran a solid fourth. With post 3 here, connections will be hopeful of a change in luck. No. 3 Owners’ Praise typically gets back in the run, but Zac Purton could potentially make use of post 4 to improve his chances. No. 7 Amazing Run has been unlucky with wide gates but continues to perform well. With post 8, his chances look stronger this time around.

Race 5 - BOCHK Wealth Management Handicap

No. 8 Midori Glory makes an intriguing appearance as he moves to Pierre Ng’s stable after four starts under Ricky Yiu. He trialed nicely in blinkers and has drawn well for the straight course. No. 5 Stellar Express was the favorite when finishing second to Magic Control two starts ago—a solid form line here. Last start, he raced wide over six furlongs, so it’s a run to overlook. No. 7 Fast Network has trialed well since his respectable third-place finish on his first class 3 test in early October. No. 6 Candlelight Dinner was overextended on the lead over six furlongs in his local debut. He should be fitter second-up, and the drop in trip is in his favor.

Race 6 - BOC Credit Card Handicap

No. 7 Eighteen Carat looks primed to strike third-up after a solid second last time out and a good trial in between runs. No. 6 Bravehearts has found his form since joining Mark Newnham’s stable, as evidenced by a big win last start. No. 10 Family Jewel steps up to class 3 after two wins over a mile in class 4. This is his first go at 1 1/4 miles, but he looks well-suited to the distance. No. 9 Californiatotality is in a similar position, stepping up in class and tackling 1 1/4 miles for the first time, but his current winning form suggests he can handle it.

Race 7 - The BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (G2)

No. 4 Ka Ying Rising has swiftly established himself as one of the top sprinters on the global stage after two sensational wins this preparation. The set weights race conditions favor him as the highest-rated runner in the field, but he enjoys a 5lb pull over three of his rivals, as he is yet to secure a Group 1. No. 1 California Spangle resumed with a solid third behind Ka Ying Rising and should strip much fitter second-up. No. 9 Helios Express resumed with an eye-catching run into second behind Ka Ying Rising, and trainer John Size has noted that he’ll stick to sprint distances for now. No. 2 Victor The Winner, a first-up specialist, should secure a sweet run from the rail. Though a win would come as a shock, he may sneak in for a place depending on how the pace eventuates.

Race 8 - The BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (G2)

No. 2 Beauty Eternal needed the run first-up, leading inside the furlong marker before fading late into sixth; he should have improved significantly in fitness. No. 5 Galaxy Patch, one of Hong Kong’s most exciting horses on the rise, targets his fourth consecutive win and benefits from the set weight conditions. He’s done everything right this season to justify early Hong Kong Mile favoritism. No. 1 Voyage Bubble was a solid second to Galaxy Patch first-up after a wide run and will test him again, especially with James McDonald back in the saddle. No. 7 Red Lion is one who can spring an upset. His recent trial was promising, and with the rail draw, Hugh Bowman should secure a cozy run.

Race 9 - The BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (G2)

No. 1 Romantic Warrior returns to action following his Yasuda Kinen success in Japan back in early June. He’s looked sensational in his trials, and it’s hard to pinpoint a credible threat in this field. No. 8 Ensued was impressive in his Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (G3) win last start, indicating he’s on an upward trajectory. No. 6 Sword Point set a quick pace on his last outing but only weakened late; he should be more competitive with a steadier ride. No. 7 Ka Ying Generation disappointed first-up on the all-weather but is more suited to turf and the 1 1/4-mile distance, which should play to his strengths.

Race 10 - BOCHK BOC Pay Handicap

No. 6 Master Mastermind is a progressive type stepping up to class 3 for the first time, but he looks capable of handling the challenge as he targets a hat-trick. No. 4 King Miles lost his chance last start with a poor break but closed off strongly and had excuses first-up when caught wide. He’s more than capable of a strong rebound here. No. 14 Magnificent Nine is back quickly after being badly held up late when fourth to Savvy Brilliant last week, and he’ll be looking to make amends. No. 10 Fantastic Fun kicks off his campaign here and has been trialing very well ahead of his return. He should progress well this preparation.

Race 11 - BOCHK Asset Management Handicap

No. 1 Packing Power aims to extend his winning streak to four, bringing top-notch form from his last start. He remains the one to beat. No. 7 Super Infinity, on a quick 7-day turnaround, remains a strong contender after narrowly missing out in his last two starts, both excellent form references against Packing Hermod and Savvy Brilliant. No. 5 Divano returns to Sha Tin after a solid third at Happy Valley, and with James McDonald aboard from post 2, he’s well-positioned to capitalize. No. 9 Patch Of Cosmo chases a hat-trick after two wins in age-restricted class 4 races. Though this is a tougher test, it offers a chance to gauge his progress.

Luke Middlebrook is a contributor at Idol Horse. After catching the Hong Kong racing bug, Luke spent several years blogging about the sport before relocating to Singapore in 2016. There, he spent eight years as the resident expert at iRace Media, overseeing all form-related and editorial content for horse racing in Hong Kong and Singapore.

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