Hong Kong Sunday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs
Hong Kong racing from Sha Tin is on for Sunday at 1 a.m. EDT. Free PPs are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.
Race 1: 3 Casa Legend, 2 Prosecco, 1 Master Of Luck, 9 Yoo Yoo Knight
Race 1: Contract Bridge 1400m Handicap
No. 3 Casa Legend makes a favorable dip to Class 5. He’s gone close in the grade above but does get one of his better winning chances this weekend, especially with Hugh Bowman hopping up. One to beat. No. 2 Prosecco is still without a win but has shown his capabilities. He caught the eye last start and improvement out of that run should see him go very close. No. 1 Master Of Luck has the ideal draw. He should get a sweet run under the hands of an in-form Harry Bentley. No. 9 Yoo Yoo Knight can improve this season. He’s not without his chance.
Race 2: Cycling 1200m Handicap, 1st Section
No. 4 Gallant Goody makes his debut. His work in the lead-up has been sound and the ideal draw here brings him right into contention. He looks like a nice prospect for the future and a win on debut wouldn’t surprise. No. 1 Ka Ying Cheer was impressive when winning on debut. He showed plenty of fight that day and with further improvement he should go close once more. He just needs to offset the wide draw. No. 14 Get The Monies slots in light and should roll forward to overcome the draw. He can continue his advance. No. 6 Speedy Fortune is next best.
Race 3: Fencing 1200m Handicap, 2nd section
No. 14 Super Contented has trialed well ahead of his return and he slots in favorably here with next to no weight on his back. Expecting drastic improvement from him under the lightweight. No. 12 Champion Instinct has his fair share of ability and he did catch the eye rolling home from the tail of the field last time out. No. 2 Champion Method scored a tidy first-up win for trainer Danny Shum. He should be able to carry that form through and improve again this weekend. No. 4 Rubylot has a suitable draw. Next in line.
Race 4: Golf 1600m Handicap
No. 7 Joyful Prosperity has been crying out for further. He gets that now and has shown that he’s a serious talent under the right circumstances. He’s the one to beat with an in-form Keagan De Melo up. No. 10 Po On Way is lightly raced but continues to improve. He’s a nice horse and the distance this week is hugely ideal. No. 14 Strongest Boy was superb first-up and he can take another step forward here. He’s been assigned a lightweight and should be able to make his presence felt with Zac Purton up. No. 1 Chancheng Prince is racing well and draws ideally here.
Race 5: Hong Kong China’s Asian Games Medallists Cup Handicap
No. 3 Flying High gets an ideal draw and does love the course and distance. He’ll be much improved second-up from a break with Matthew Chadwick sticking aboard. No. 8 Sparkling Knight is chasing back-to-back wins. He’ll press forward and give this group something to run down. No. 2 Explosive Witness should do similar. He’s got a bit of class and is capable over this course and distance. No. 9 Beauty Waves makes an intriguing Hong Kong debut. He’s trialing well and commands respect here, especially with Zac Purton aboard.
Race 6: Rowing 1400m Handicap
No. 8 Charmander is better than his record suggests and he’s worth taking a chance on. He’s trialed well, looks to have summered well too and should be going close here over a suitable distance. No. 6 Sunlight Power continues to improve and he’ll be winning soon enough. He should get the run of the race from draw one. No. 3 Lost Child has his fair share of ability. He narrowly missed first-up and will improve following that run. No. 1 Owners’ Praise gets the services of Zac Purton. Keep an eye on him.
Race 7: Premier Bowl Handicap (G2)
No. 3 Victor The Winner continues to develop and he can take a big stride forward here. He has favors with the lightweight and small field, which should afford him a soft lead and the opportunity to pinch this race, much like his latest effort. No. 1 Lucky Sweynesse is the class runner, however, he’ll once again need to defy a hefty impost. He does boast the quality to win. No. 2 Sight Success should improve sharply second-up. He has the ideal draw to save ground and take his shot at this group. No. 5 Stoltz is next in line. He’s better over five furlongs.
Race 8: Rugby Sevens 1400m Handicap
No. 1 Absolute Sunshine makes his Hong Kong debut. He was classy in Australia pre-import and his latest trial was sound at Happy Valley. Expecting he can make his presence felt first-up, especially with Karis Teetan aboard. No. 11 Golden Samurai has his fair share of ability and pairs favorably with Zac Purton this week as Vincent Ho serves a riding suspension. He just needs to overcome a challenging draw. No. 4 Storm Legend gets a handy 10 pounds taken off with the apprentice up. No. 12 Let’s Do It is taking the right steps forward. He’ll be in the finish.
Race 9: Swimming 1800m Handicap
No. 13 Hameron can continue to improve. He’s a nice horse and the lightweight really brings him into contention, especially after an almighty first-up win at Happy Valley. He’s worth taking a chance on here as he has the scope to improve. No. 1 Sword Point is a nice horse and his trials have been seriously impressive. He’ll be testing this group with his class and the appointment of jockey Zac Purton. No. 7 Helene Feeling is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He’s got a stack of quality but the wide draw might be an issue. No. 8 The Best Peach is next in line.
Race 10: Equestrian 1400m Handicap
No. 1 Master Eight has the class edge over this group, however, he is getting on in age. Expecting he can find the front and play catch me if you can under the seven pound claiming apprentice. One to reel in, especially in this grade. No. 7 Find My Love has further scope for development. He just needs to overcome an awkward draw. No. 10 Supreme Lucky continues to impress. He slots in light and appears more than capable of winning in this grade soon enough. No. 2 Keefy has an ideal draw and should get every chance. Don’t discount.