Hong Kong Wednesday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong racing is back Wednesday morning at 7:15 a.m. EDT in North America. Free PPs are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS by Declan Schuster

Race 1: #9 Rattan Kingdom, #7 Super Magic, #10 Take What You Need, #5 Howdeepisyourlove
Race 2: #8 Success Allstars, #7 Grand Power, #6 Superb Daddy, #1 Owners’ Star 
Race 3: #2 Exuberant, #4 Right Honourable, #1 All Joyful, #6 Royal Pride 
Race 4: #11 Raging Blaze, #5 Hearty Wish, #6 Flying On The Turf, #8 The Good Deal
Race 5: #7 Vantastic Choice, #11 Birdsville, #2 Hero Star, #1 Durham Star 
Race 6: #4 Comet Splendido, #1 Nothing New, #7 Dr Winning, #3 My Ecstatic  
Race 7: #5 Heroic Master, #8 Sergeant Pepper, #6 California Deeply, #2 Harmony Fire 
Race 8: #8 Solar Winds, #2 Adios, #11 Global Harmony, #7 Gluck Racer 

Race 1: Tai Tam Handicap (1st Section)

#9 Rattan Kingdom was impressive first-up this season. He can take another step forward here and does demand a stack of respect, especially with Zac Purton engaged. #7 Super Magic makes his debut following a tidy trial at Conghua. He looks forward enough to make his presence felt first-up. #10 Take What You Need draws well and should get the run of the race. #5 Howdeepisyourlove steps out on debut. He should be kept safe – like most John Size debutants. 

Race 2: Tai Lam Chung Handicap

#8 Success Allstars returned in excellent order first-up when finishing third. He can improve now with that run under his belt and the lightweight will afford him every opportunity. #7 Grand Power is racing well. He will be fit having had three runs already this season and his latest effort for second was nothing short of eye-catching. #6 Superb Daddy is tracking towards another win. He’s a bit better than Class 5. #1 Owners’ Star has the class-edge. Expect him to be competitive once more.

Race 3: Shek Pik Handicap

#2 Exuberant gets the barrier and pairs favourably with Zac Purton. He only needs to reproduce his effort of two starts ago to be winning here. #4 Right Honourable does his best racing in this grade. He’s been solid so far this term and he’s a win and place chance with a little bit of luck. #1 All Joyful mixes his form but can figure if he finds his best. He won first-up last season and it wouldn’t surprise to see him do similar again. #6 Royal Pride returned to form last run. He caught the eye and is open to further improvement.

Race 4: Shek Lei Pui Handicap

#11 Raging Blaze is so, so close to a first win in Hong Kong. He ticks a lot of boxes here and his most recent run over the course and distance was solid. #5 Hearty Wish did well last start, missing narrowly over the course and distance. He draws to get the run of the race here for Lyle Hewitson. #6 Flying On The Turf will improve second-up this season. Strong booking of Zac Purton holds him in good stead. #8 The Good Deal caught the eye first-up. He can improve once more.

Race 5: The American Club Challenge Cup Handicap (2nd Section)

#7 Vantastic Choice represents a fair bit of value after a solid first-up effort in Hong Kong. He looked to do it well that day and improvement is expected. He could be overlooked and is worth taking a chance on. #11 Birdsville has done well in Hong Kong without winning yet. He slots in light here and his recent form under Keith Yeung has been strong. #2 Hero Star is so consistent. Expect another solid effort from him this week. #1 Durham Star has the class-edge. Keep safe.

Race 6: Plover Cove Handicap

#4 Comet Splendido is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s a very classy horse who looks well placed to win again. His rise is far from over. #1 Nothing New has consistency and a favourable draw on his side. Expect he can mount a challenge here. #7 Dr Winning mixes his form but does have the class on his day. It wouldn’t surprise to see him turn his form around here. #3 My Ecstatic has claims when he’s at his best, especially at Happy Valley. Must respect for Silvestre de Sousa.

Race 7: Kam Shan Handicap

#5 Heroic Master hit the ground running with a narrow defeat first-up in Hong Kong. He can take another step forward here and shapes as the one they all have to run down. #8 Sergeant Pepper has turned out two superb runs this term. He’s going to get another win very, very soon. #6 California Deeply makes his Hong Kong debut. His latest trial was nothing short of impressive. #2 Harmony Fire finds suitable conditions. He can figure with the right run from gate one.

Race 8: High Island Handicap

#8 Solar Winds has done well across three runs this term. He caught the eye last start when third behind Street Scream who has since won again. He should get every chance from the draw with Luke Ferraris up. #2 Adios is chasing back-to-back wins. His climb up the handicap is far from over. #11 Global Harmony returns. He did well last term and was awfully unlucky on debut not to win. He’s trialled well and ticks a number of boxes here. #7 Gluck Racer has looked well ahead of his return. Expect a big first-up effort.