Hong Kong Wednesday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong racing from Sha Tin is on for Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. EDT. Free PPs are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.

Sha Tin selections

(Wednesday, Oct. 25)

Race 1: 8 Chiron, 5 Sun Of Makfi, 2 M M Nebula, 11 Starship Eighty

Race 8: 7 Lovero, 4 Self Improvement, 5 Galaxy Patch, 3 Pulsar Strider

Race 1: Wa Mei Shan Handicap

No. 8 Chiron can turn his form around on the dirt. He’s a smart little racer on the surface and with even luck he rates strongly here, especially with two runs under his belt this term. He’s worth taking a chance on to bounce back to his best. No. 5 Sun Of Makfi went awfully close last start and he should be able to do similar again. He’s drawn well, pairs with Zac Purton and gets every possible chance. No. 2 M M Nebula was a solid winner two starts ago. He’s remained in solid form. No. 11 Starship Eighty is improving and just needs to overcome the wide draw.

Race 2: Tsim Mei Fung Handicap

No. 8 Beat Hollow caught the eye in a recent trial. He’s in the right grade now and this level of racing should suit him. Strong booking of Karis Teetan warrants respect, especially for trainer Me Tsui, who across recent seasons has returned sound dirt course results. No. 3 Vamos is in the right vein of form and he should get every opportunity here. He has a suitable draw and is ever so close to a first win. No. 7 Lucky Ruby knows how to win on the dirt. It wouldn’t surprise to see him try to lead this group under Zac Purton. No. 2 Spicy So Smart is next best.

Race 3: Tiu Yue Yung Handicap

No. 8 Ever Blessing is better than his record indicates and significant improvement is expected this week. He’s trialed well ahead of his first start on the dirt. One to beat. No. 2 Gallant Hero is chasing a fourth straight win. He’s hit superb form and is a leading chance once again, however, the widest of 14 barriers will prove a difficult task to overcome. No. 9 Reliable Profit continues to make inroads and he can take another step forward again. He’s another with a poor draw though. No. 11 Asian One should be fit and ready to fire third-up. Keep safe.

Race 4: Tin Ha Shan Handicap (1st section)

No. 5 Brave Witness has caught the eye leading up to his debut. He should get a sweet run from gate one and prove hard to beat first-up, even though this is a rather deep contest. Taking a chance on him at what is hopefully decent odds. No. 9 Smart Folks returns first-up following a last-start win. He looks primed following a smart trial effort and several strong workouts at home. No. 1 Happy Fat Cat is straightforward and he’ll get his shot either leading or on the pace. He showed a stack of vigor to win last start. No. 2 Man Star can figure. Don’t discount.

Race 5: Tin Ha Shan Handicap (2nd section)

No. 9 Cool Blue should have won a race last season, nevertheless, he returns in super condition armed with Zac Purton this week. He’s the one to beat if he manages to replicate the form he’s capable of producing. No. 8 Killer Instinct is versatile and he was a sharp first-up course and distance winner. Expecting him to perform at that level once more. No. 1 Flying Dragon narrowly missed first-up. He can continue to race at the level here, especially from gate two. No. 2 Mega Bonus gets a handy seven-pound claim from the apprentice. Keep safe.

Race 6: Shek Uk Shan Handicap

No. 3 Adefill is a super talent on the dirt and he appears primed for a successful return with several trial efforts under his belt. Karis Teetan retains the ride and he’s the one to beat. No. 2 Fiery Diamond loves the dirt and rates strongly in this grade. He can improve second-up and the wide gate looks like his only hindrance. No. 11 Perfect Team is lightly raced but has shown his qualities on the dirt. He slots in super light with 10 pounds coming off his back thanks to the apprentice. No. 14 Nordic Star gets Zac Purton up. He commands respect.

Race 7: Hebe Hill Handicap

No. 9 Handsome Twelve should improve out of sight second-up following that first outing on turf. He’s better suited to dirt and Zac Purton’s services should see him prove hard to beat. No. 5 Youthful Deal is another who will enjoy hopping back on the dirt. He’s a superb talent on the surface and the inside gate is a big advantage for him this week. No. 4 Apache Pass returns to a suitable grade of racing. He has claims over the course and distance, however, the draw isn’t ideal against this caliber of opponents. No. 2 Chancheng Prince is next in line.

Race 8: Pyramid Hill Handicap

No. 7 Lovero makes his Hong Kong debut. He brings some solid Japanese dirt form with him and now makes his first start at Sha Tin on the surface. He appears worth taking a chance on here, especially as a four-year-old with his fair share of racing experience in the bag. No. 4 Self Improvement is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s got a difficult draw but his latest effort was outstanding. He can improve. No. 5 Galaxy Patch was an impressive turf winner on debut. He should be able to transfer that form to the dirt. No. 3 Pulsar Strider is next in line.

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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