Hong Kong Sunday night: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Race 1: 5 Hero Icon, 4 Rattan World, 7 Sweet Diamond, 10 Happy Tango

Race 11: 4 Sinba, 6 Storm Rider, 13 Magnificent Nine, 2 Quantum Patch

Race 1: Kung Hei Handicap

No. 5 Hero Icon steps down in grade. He’s suited in Class 5, especially following his recent form in Class 4 which was sound. He’s the one to beat. No. 4 Rattan World is chasing back-to-back wins. He gets another shot here with Zac Purton engaged from a suitable gate. No. 7 Sweet Diamond narrowly missed last start. He’s taking the right steps forward and gets a super chance here. No. 10 Happy Tango knows what it’s all about and chances are he crosses to lead this group in a bid to offset the wide draw. Don’t discount.

Race 2: Fat Choi Handicap

No. 5 Diamond Diamond has placed in both of his runs in Class 5. He’s suited in this grade and the inside draw is an added bonus. Jerry Chau hops up and he knows the horse very well. No. 2 Beat Hollow can find the front and give this group something to reel in. The 10 pounds comes off his back with Ellis Wong engaged. No. 7 Sonic Boom appears to have found his feet now. Zac Purton hops up and he’s been improving drastically of late. No. 10 Apex Top is a two-time Class 5 winner. He’ll roll forward and get his opportunity.

Race 3: Good Fortune Handicap (2nd section)

No. 6 Master Mastermind is a serious talent and he should improve following his debut effort for third. Zac Purton is aboard and he comes through the right form race. No. 3 Patch Of Theta has finished top-three in each of his three starts. He has a tricky draw to overcome but does appear able to do so. No. 12 Sight Victory ran a career-best fifth last start at Happy Valley. Expecting he can build on that effort here. No. 14 Jazz Club slots in light and was a huge improver first-up when fourth at massive odds. Keep safe.

Race 4: Good Fortune Handicap (1st section)

It’s take two for No. 10 Windcheater as he makes his debut after being withdrawn last month. He’s since trialed very, very well and he does look set to make an impression first-up. One to catch. No. 2 Super Goldi hit the ground running with victory on debut before finishing third last time out. He’s holding his form and can figure. No. 4 Must Go is a threat in this grade. There’s a bit of ability there and Zac Purton’s booking for John Size warrants plenty of respect. No. 1 Run Run Timing continues to improve and will make an impact.

Race 5: Great Profits Handicap

No. 6 Ping Hai Comet makes his debut after several eye-catching barrier trials. Derek Leung takes the reins and he might be worth taking a chance on here. Worth a shot at odds. No. 11 Devas Twelve has been steadily improving and his latest effort was by far the best. He can take another step forward here. No. 2 Winning Data is in the form of his life and he just needs to overcome the wide gate. No. 1 Flying Mojito was well fancied last start when flashing home late for fourth place. Expect another strong showing.

Race 6: Lucky Star Handicap

No. 12 Winning Heart flashed home late in his most recent outing. He’s taken a bit of time to acclimatize but the penny appears to have finally dropped with him now. He slots in light and gets a super chance to score a first win. No. 14 Mr Good Vibes turned in a career-best outing last start and does have the scope to improve. He’s favored under no weight. Take an each way ticket on him to outperform his odds. No. 3 Golden Rise won well last start and can further improve. No. 9 Voyage Samurai is a debutant worth keeping an eye on.

Race 7: Prosperity Handicap

No. 4 Ka Ying Rising deserves another win. He’s been superb in each of his last two defeats, twice finishing a close second. He draws ideally and should roll forward with Zac Purton for his chance. No. 8 Eighty Light Years is in great form and his good fortune can continue. He was a tidy winner two runs back and does appear to have a few rating points still in hand. No. 3 Joyful Fortune was superb with victory two runs back. He’s holding his condition and does have a stack of talent on his day. No. 10 Captain Win is next in line.

Race 8: The Chinese New Year Cup Handicap

Small field contests the feature. Taking a chance on No. 1 Courier Wonder, who has the class to defeat this group. His first-up run was sound as he chased in vain at the tail of the field in a leader dominated contest. He can improve and rates strongly this weekend. No. 6 Mugen is most likely going to be sent around as favorite. He’s been swiftly rising but does need to take another step forward this time. The featherweight favors him. No. 2 Duke Wai gets five pounds taken off his back. He has claims. No. 4 Red Lion is next in line.

Race 9: Red Packet Handicap

No. 11 Powerful Wings was seriously unlucky last start. He can atone for that effort here under no weight and with luck he shapes as the one they all must beat. He’s been racing off a winnable mark for quite some time. No. 5 California Voce has the ability but is struggling to piece it all together. He gets another shot here. No. 8 Holy Lake is a winning machine and he draws ideally here. Expect he rolls forward and his ascent looks far from over. No. 12 Silver Up can continue to improve. The featherweight is a bonus.

Race 10: Yue Yee Handicap

No. 5 Galaxy Patch is a serious talent and he’s the clear top pick. He’s been superb so far and he should be able to extend his record to five wins from six starts. No. 2 Flying Ace turned in a solid effort for fifth at Group 1 level last start. His get-back style of racing is costly at times but he does have a stack of ability. No. 1 Packing Treadmill can put himself in the right spot up on the pace. He knows how to win in this grade and over the course and distance. No. 13 Lucky Encounter slots in light and has claims. Don’t discount.

Race 11: Kut Cheong Handicap

No. 4 Sinba finished a competitive fourth last time out. Expecting further improvement from him here, just as long as he manages to offset the wide draw. The five pounds comes off with the apprentice up and shapes strongly. No. 6 Storm Rider continues to impress and he’s chasing a hat-trick of wins this weekend. He remains in Class 3 and is a major challenger. Zac Purton sticks with No. 13 Magnificent Nine, indicating that the rise in distance will suit. No. 2 Quantum Patch is consistent and has claims. Like the booking of Karis Teetan.

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.

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