Hong Kong Tuesday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong presents racing from Sha Tin on Tuesday morning this week with first post at 4 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: 9 Tradition, 4 Chateau Le Peche, 10 Mr Aladdin, 3 Leather Master

Race 2: 8 Robot Lucky Star, 1 Heroic Master, 2 Multidutch, 13 Amazing Galaxy

Race 3: 1 Fortunate Son, 2 Spirit Of Peace, 9 Bull Attitude, 4 Mighty Steed

Race 4: 11 Autumn Delight, 2 Lunar Dash, 1 Wonderstar, 4 Diriya

Race 5: 3 Young Champion, 4 Light Years Charm, 11 Brilliant Express, 5 Soleil Fighter

Race 6: 14 Run Run Timing, 1 Beauty Glory, 9 Ka Ying Radiance, 6 Emblazon

Race 7: 7 Super Fortune, 3 La Forza, 6 Majestic Express, 2 We Are Hero

Race 8: 5 Gallant Epoch, 9 Star Brose, 1 Mr Cool, 7 Quick Contribution

Race 9: 9 Francis Meynell, 4 Young Superstar, 6 Pakistan Legacy, 2 Infinite Resolve

Race 10: 10 Glorious Success, 1 Winning Gold, 3 Yuen Long Elite, 11 Good Luck Babe

Race 1 – Racing Goes On Nine-Furlong Handicap

No. 9 Tradition has been disappointing to say the least, with just one placing from 23 local starts. He’s a take-on-trust type, but he didn’t get a clear crack at them last start and looked to have more to offer. No. 4 Chateau Le Peche gave away a big head start last time but found the line strongly into fourth. It was a solid run, and when he won three back, he settled much closer. If he does that again, his chances lift. No. 10 Mr Aladdin is still a maiden but his recent runs have been sound. He had a tough trip last time and is worth another chance. No. 3 Leather Master wasn’t beaten far into sixth last start after covering ground. His form since the stable switch has been solid and he stays in the mix.

Race 2 – World-Class Leadership Five-Furlong Handicap

No. 8 Robot Lucky Star has caught the eye in his trials leading into debut, showing sharp early speed which he can use to settle handy and give a sight. He looks a good chance to get on the board straight away. No. 1 Heroic Master was unsuited over six furlongs last start and should be more competitive back to the minimum trip. No. 2 Multidutch steps out for his second run in class 4 and, while unplaced from five starts so far, showed something in a recent trial that hints at potential improvement. No. 13 Amazing Galaxy posted his first placing last start over this course and trip when runner-up to the progressive Lightness Of Music. He can build on that.

Race 3 – Uncompromising Integrity Seven-Furlong Handicap

No. 1 Fortunate Son drops into class 4 and can be followed. He resumes for a new stable under Pierre Ng and looked well in a recent trial. No. 2 Spirit Of Peace has been stuck with wide draws and forced to go back in his races, but moving into post 2 gives him a chance to settle closer and turn his luck around. No. 9 Bull Attitude didn’t see much daylight late last start after being taken back from a wide gate. His run prior, when sitting handy and holding third, gives a better read on his chances. No. 4 Mighty Steed is trending the right way since sliding into class 4. He was only beaten a neck into fourth last start and is ready to strike.

Race 4 – Serving the Community Six-Furlong Handicap

No. 11 Autumn Delight broke through stylishly at Happy Valley last start and now gets the chance to go on with it from the inside draw. No. 2 Lunar Dash will strip fitter second-up after finishing a close third as the even money favorite on debut, and although post 11 is tricky, he’s in the mix. No. 1 Wonderstar has the early speed to roll forward and control things. He’s been consistent since the stable change and looks ready to win. No. 4 Diriya didn’t get a crack at them second-up when held up for most of the straight. He’s one to consider now third-up and at a price.

Race 5 – The Hong Kong Reunification Cup

No. 3 Young Champion has good form around both Packing Hermod and Light Years Charm, running third to each in recent starts. From post 1, he might get the run needed to turn the tables. No. 4 Light Years Charm is chasing a hat-trick after a dominant class 2 win last time out. He’s clearly in top form, but his tendency to be slow away and post 10 make him beatable. No. 11 Brilliant Express rises into class 2 but gets in with a light weight. The wide draw isn’t ideal, though he has gone forward from similar gates before. No. 5 Soleil Fighter is yet to win at Sha Tin but keeps running solid races and with blinkers on for the first time, he could find the improvement.

Race 6 – Continuous Development Seven-Furlong Handicap

No. 14 Run Run Timing was well backed at Happy Valley last start but pulled up early and took no part. He’s since trialed strongly and the market support could prove a telling lead here. No. 1 Beauty Glory deserves respect dropping in class and maps to control the race from the front with little pressure forecast. If left alone, he could prove hard to reel in. No. 9 Ka Ying Radiance can take a step forward second-up after resuming from a wide gate where he was caught without cover but stuck on gamely and wasn’t beaten far. No. 6 Emblazon got back on debut over six furlongs and made good late ground into sixth. The step to seven furlongs looks ideal and he can take a step forward. 

Race 7 – The Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup

No. 7 Super Fortune is drawn the right part of the track and should be prominent throughout, making his own luck on the pace in an open race. No. 3 La Forza was plain first-up but had some excuse in the run and is worth another look. He’s only a three-year-old with scope to improve. No. 6 Majestic Express landed a dream run to score in that same race but may not get the same set-up from post 3, which is the query. No. 2 We Are Hero is capable of rattling home late and will be running on strongly if the tempo is genuine.

Race 8 – Riding High Together Mile Handicap

No. 5 Gallant Epoch can press forward and control the race. He went back from a wide draw last start and ran on nicely, but his best efforts have come when allowed to lead. No. 9 Star Brose bungled the start last time but recovered well to close off strongly from the rear. That was his best effort to date and with a cleaner getaway, he can take another step. No. 1 Mr Cool has shown glimpses of promise and may be looking for this trip now. He didn’t finish off last time but had been shaping up well prior as a three-year-old with more to come. No. 7 Quick Contribution is becoming costly but there’s no doubt he has ability. He’s been getting too far out of his ground but a slower tempo here might keep him in touch.

Race 9 – Sportsmanship Six-Furlong Handicap

No. 9 Francis Meynell resumes off a freshen and looks ready to go first-up for his new trainer David Eustace. His trial was encouraging and he’s already shown he can run well fresh. No. 4 Young Superstar is the likely leader and gave a sight last start when only collared late after doing all the work in front. He gets another chance. No. 6 Pakistan Legacy has had plenty of chances but continues to run honestly. He should be at a price and isn’t without a shout. No. 2 Infinite Resolve caught the eye on debut when running second to Masterofmyuniverse. His quiet trial in between suggests he’s ticking over nicely and he can go on with it now.

Race 10 – Sportsmanship Six-Furlong Handicap, div 2

No. 10 Glorious Success is yet to win in Hong Kong but resumed with a strong third from well back at Happy Valley and now returns to a preferred course and trip. He’s close. No. 1 Winning Gold had excuses last start when trapped wide without cover and fading into seventh. He’s not drawn better here, but good enough to bounce back. No. 3 Yuen Long Elite is holding his form well since rising to class 3, placing in three straight and shaping like a horse ready to break through again. The mile is a new test, but he’s racing well enough to handle it. No. 11 Good Luck Babe has joined the Tony Cruz stable and his recent trial was encouraging. He’ll push forward and could prove hard to reel in.

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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