Hong Kong Wednesday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong racing from Happy Valley is on for Wednesday at 5:40 a.m. EST. Free PPs are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.

Race 1: 5 Crystal Powerful, 4 Hercules, 7 Sweet Diamond, 3 H Z Tourbillon

Race 9: 6 Chill Chibi, 3 Escape Route, 11 Thesis, 4 Romantic Laos

Race 1: Kokura Handicap

No. 5 Crystal Powerful has tumbled into Class 5. He’s better than this level, and he’s shown significant improvement since being gelded in the off season. Expecting him to take a big forward step this week. No. 4 Hercules has the class-edge and knows how to win over this course and distance. He draws ideally and will be able to contend strongly. No. 7 Sweet Diamond is favored with a return to the turf surface. He’s a sharp little talent who can use the positive draw. No. 3 H Z Tourbillon is next in line. He gets his opportunity.

Race 2: Nakayama Handicap

Tricky sprint contest. Taking a chance on No. 5 Kyrus Dragon improving again. He’s only had the two runs in Hong Kong, but he has shown considerable advancement each time. This race could easily be run to suit and he’ll be powering home late. No. 2 Explosive Witness has a slight class edge over several of these. He also has form on his side, closing into third last start alongside No. 4 Humble Star, who also rates strongly after that run. No. 6 Atomic Energy is next in line. He’s first up but can threaten.

Race 3: Niigata Handicap

No. 1 Kasa Papa is better than his recent form suggests. He’s been without luck at times and clearly has plenty more to offer. He gets his shot here from gate two and just needs a clean run late. One to beat. No. 11 Dragon Star will lead and look the winner at some stage. He’s not a winner yet but all four of his runs this season have returned placings. No. 2 Prince Alex has found his mark and draws ideally. He gets his shot. No. 9 Yee Cheong Warrior is after back-to-back wins. He might get caught out in this grade.

Race 4: Kyoto Handicap (3rd section)

No. 9 Travel Golf is unlucky not to already be a winner. He’s gone close several times and gets another super shot here, especially after being squeezed out of contention at a crucial stage last start. One to beat. No. 2 Joy Coming has a suitable draw and can return to his best here. He was beaten by poor barriers in his last two outings. No. 3 Prime Mortar has class on his day, and he can improve second-up following a sound effort last time out. No. 4 Galvanic has a stack of class, but the draw makes things tricky. Keep safe.

Race 5: The Japan Racing Association Trophy Handicap (2nd section)

No. 5 Hero Star can find the front and string this group out. He’s tough to get past at times and does map to get a sweet run throughout. One to catch. No. 2 Happy Day surged to super impressive victory last time out. He remains in the grade that suits, and he still has several rating points in hand. His ascent appears far from over. No. 1 Travel Golf will improve returning to Class 4. The booking of Zac Purton catches the eye. No. 8 Champion Instinct continues to race well, and he’ll be hitting the line late. 

Race 6: Kyoto Handicap (1st section)

No. 6 Judy’s Great makes his debut. He’s moved well in each of his trials and has a suitable draw here for his first outing. One to beat. He can show something first up. No. 1 Act Of Faith has gone close each time this season. He gets the services of Zac Purton, which holds him in very good stead. No. 3 Healthy Healthy is chasing back-to-back wins. Luke Ferraris is a suitable choice on a frontrunner, which is exactly where this guy should be once the gates open. No. 8 Colonel has claims and is not without his chance. Don’t discount.

Race 7: Tokyo Handicap

No. 8 Taj Dragon is an impressive talent and this race is well within his grasp. He has the class and form to be winning here, especially with Zac Purton remaining aboard for the in-form Pierre Ng. He’ll take beating. No. 4 Helene Feeling is a very nice horse and his record is impressive. He can turn his form around after finishing eighth last time out. No. 10 Hameron is a two-time winner from his last three starts. He’s going to get his opportunity. No. 1 Telecom Fighters gets a handy five pounds off. Next in line.

Race 8: Chukyo Handicap

No. 3 Capital Delight is a sharp little talent, and he remains in superb form. Vincent Ho hops up and the prospect of a dry track is ideal, especially armed with a positive draw. One to catch. No. 7 Gameplayer Elite performed well last start for a horse who travelled wide and without cover. He can improve with a smoother run in transit. No. 4 Tomodachi Kokoroe can lead and give this group something to run down. Gate one enhances his claims. No. 12 Kilindini has the wide draw to overcome. Still, he’s in career-best form.

Race 9: Hanshin Handicap

No. 6 Chill Chibi was super impressive last start, and he can carry that form through to here. He is chasing a hat trick of wins, and chances are he’s well placed to get it, especially from a suitable draw, albeit against a stronger field. No. 3 Escape Route is the value runner of the contest. He rattled into second last start and looks well placed to peak this week. Take an each-way ticket on him. No. 11 Thesis is a handy talent who looks like he’s found his feet. No. 4 Romantic Laos won well two runs back. He’s 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.

Coverage of the entire Hong Kong Thoroughbred season at Horse Racing Nation is made possible through a sponsorship by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.