Hong Kong Wednesday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

No. 9 Encore has raced well at Happy Valley and he gets his shot here. Vincent Ho hops up which is a plus and he gets a light weight which enhances his claims. He’s ready to win. No. 8 Day Day Rich tends to find the front which he should do once more for Zac Purton. Expect he tries to pinch this on the turn for home. No. 12 Shenron slots in light and has been close to winning for some time now. He gets his chance here from draw two. No. 7 Alloy King mixes his form but knows what it’s all about. Next in line.  

No. 12 One Heart One slots in light. He’s shown his capabilities across recent runs and this contest looks more than suitable for him to breakthrough. He should get a sweet run from the draw under no weight with Karis Teetan aboard. No. 1 Ready Player One can win in this grade and the retention of Zac Purton is a big plus, just like gate three. No. 7 Beauty Mission has consistency on his side which should soon be rewarded. No. 9 Happy Angel is so close to a first win. The draw isn’t ideal but Alexis Badel stays aboard once again.  

No. 9 Young Life Forever gets one of his better chances here to capture a first win. He gets the right draw and appears capable of getting the better of this group. No. 11 Modest Gentleman is in the right vein of form. He remains a massive threat here with Karis Teetan sticking on top. No. 5 Happy United gets the services of Zac Purton again. He’s inexperienced but does appear to have his fair share of ability. Keep safe. No. 6 Denfield turned his form around to finish second last time out. He’s figuring it out. Next in line.  

No. 2 Incanto Prepared has been racing off a dangerous mark for some time now. He’s done his best racing at Happy Valley and gate two will afford him every possible chance for Alexis Badel. He can win. No. 1 Dinkum is lightly raced but shows glimpses of potential at times. He’s worth considering here as he dips to Class 4. No. 4 Helene Wisdom Star is knocking on the door and gets an added boost with Zac Purton sticking aboard. No. 3 Splendid Living is in the right vein of form. Expect he tries to pinch this one from the front.  

No. 6 Wood On Fire is in close to career-best form. He’s holding his condition well and Karis Teetan takes the ride once more. He suits the horse, and the ideal gate is a big plus. No. 8 Happy Trio toughed it out for a nice win last time out. He’s favored here from a positive draw. No. 11 Flaming Eagle slots in light and was an impressive winner three starts ago. Vincent Ho’s booking grabs attention. No. 2 Flying On The Turf racked up a Happy Valley hat-trick recently. Zac Purton partners him again, which is a plus.  

No. 7 Hoss has shown he has a stack of ability and enough potential to improve. Like the booking of Zac Purton, especially from gate two. Expect him to save ground and prove tough to beat. No. 6 Humble Star mixes his form but is much better than what his recent outings suggest. Gate one should see him get every chance. No. 1 Beauty Tycoon has the class edge over this group. The draw enhances his claims. No. 5 Jolly Ruler is racing well and was a strong winner two runs back at the Valley. He should be fighting out the finish.  

No. 10 Top Top Tea is an improving talent. The distance remains a question mark but his recent performances suggest he’ll handle it with ease. Strong booking of Silvestre de Sousa with no weight allocated. No. 5 Helene Feeling can continue to improve following a tidy second-up win last time out. No. 11 Packing Succeeder slots in light and he has more ability than what he’s shown so far. Keep safe. No. 4 Winning Dragon could potentially lead this group. The wide gate, however, will see him do a stack of work early.  

No. 10 Act Of Faith is steadily proving that he’s capable in Class 3. His last run was impressive in defeat. Karis Teetan remains aboard and he gets his chance here in a hot finale. No. 2 Nordic Dragon got back on track last start with a tidy third career-win. Hugh Bowman sticks with him and he should be right there in the finish again. No. 9 Phoenix Light turned in a strong showing for fourth last time out. Zac Purton’s booking catches the eye here. No. 3 Jumbo Fortune is doing everything right except winning. He’ll be running home late.

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.