Hong Kong Wednesday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong International week kicks off from Happy Valley on Wednesday with the International Jockeys' Championship at 5:30 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: 4 Valhalla, 10 Noble Boyz, 12 Noir Rider, 6 Goodmanship

Race 8: 8 Sugar Sugar, 5 Tomodachi Kokoroe, 11 Kaholo Angel, 9 Gameplayer Elite

Race 9: 7 The Best Peach, 2 All For St Paul’s, 6 Helene Feeling, 5 Rising From Ashes

Race 1: Australia Handicap

No. 4 Valhalla doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He continues to perform at a consistent level and sticking to this grade following his latest win is advantageous. One to beat. No. 10 Noble Boyz slots in light and can make his presence felt. He’s steadily found form and should be able to get his opportunity from a forward position in the run. No. 12 Noir Rider has no weight to carry after finishing second last start. He can rattle home. No. 6 Goodmanship narrowly missed last time out. He returns on the quick back-up. Keep safe.

Race 2: France Handicap

No. 4 Nice Birdie was cramped for running room last start. He had plenty more under the hood that day and is more than capable of putting his best foot forward here with even luck. He’s worth taking a chance on. No. 8 Medic Elite is consistent and has that on his side. He’ll find the right spot early on. No. 3 Happy Jai Jai draws ideally and once again pairs with Zac Purton. He can figure under the champion rider. No. 1 Charmander steps down in grade. He is better suited to this level of racing and is a huge threat. He’s the value.

Race 3: Germany Handicap

No. 2 Royal Pride can bounce back returning to Happy Valley. He travelled wide and without cover last start at Sha Tin – total forgive run. James McDonald hops up and his best form holds him in very good stead. No. 5 Super Baby is no stranger to reversing his form and a few favors can see him do that. He can make his presence felt. No. 8 Fearless Fire has gone close across his last few runs. He loves the grade and is a threat. No. 11 Amazing Boy has been knocking on the door this season. The inside gate is suitable.

Race 4: International Jockeys’ Championship Handicap – 1st leg

No. 2 Super Commander can contest the early lead. Chances are he finds that here, especially from the draw for an in-form Pierre Ng. He’s better suited in this grade and could easily pinch this one. No. 6 Savvy Delight gets a good gate and the services of Zac Purton. He’s gone close several times this season. No. 4 Galvanic draws inside and should get a sweet run throughout. He gets his shot here and is close to a first win. No. 11 Oversubscribed slots in light and will be flashing home late. Don’t discount.

Race 5: International Jockeys’ Championship Handicap – 2nd leg

No. 11 Sure Joyful is in sizzling form and the low weight and inside gate are huge positives. He also gets the services of Vincent Ho, a prolific winner at Happy Valley on his side. One to beat. No. 4 M Unicorn is chasing a third win from his last four starts. He gets Ryan Moore up and shapes as a huge threat, especially from barrier four with his talent. No. 12 To Infinity slots in light and is racing well. He narrowly missed by under a length last start and that level of form will see him go close. No. 8 Killer Instinct is next in line.

Race 6: Great Britain Handicap

No. 3 Kilindini has a much better draw this time around. He can roll forward and it should see him either lead or sit prominent with ease. One to beat from there. No. 9 Ernest Feeling is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He’s in superb form and the draw is suitable as he rises in grade. No. 4 Party Warrior loves the track and trip. He’s been in solid form this term and it wouldn’t surprise to see him mount a strong case. He’ll just need to navigate barrier one – a tricky draw for a backmarker. No. 8 Prince Chiswick has more improvement to come.

Race 7: International Jockeys’ Championship Handicap – 3rd leg

No. 2 Flagship Warrior charged home from the tail of the field last start. He has an ideal draw and is racing in superb form. His pairing with James McDonald is a plus, so is the rise in distance. No. 6 All Beauty is in the right vein of form and gets his chance. He caught the eye last start – surging home late on. No. 9 Storm Legend is a two-time winner in the grade below. This assignment looks tough but he is returning to sound form this term. No. 8 Silver Sonic is a class act and he’s better than recent runs suggest. Next in line.

No. 8 Sugar Sugar was closing late last start. He can advance further forward following that effort, especially with a pace run to suit his liking, which he may get here. He’s drawn wide but he’ll settle back anyway. He’s worth a shot. No. 5 Tomodachi Kokoroe should press for the early lead. He won well two starts ago and has remained in sound condition. No. 11 Kaholo Angel is another who should roll forward under Zac Purton. The inside gate suits and he’ll be prominent. No. 9 Gameplayer Elite is improving and can do so again.

Tricky closer to the fixture but No. 7 The Best Peach is favored under a suitable handicap in this grade thanks to the presence of the top-weight. Zac Purton hops up again after the pair were inconvenienced two runs back. They can atone here. No. 2 All For St Paul’s continues to raise the bar and his go-forward style of affords his chance. No. 6 Helene Feeling is doing his best and is yet to look out of place in this grade, especially as one-time winner in it. No. 5 Rising From Ashes is after a hat-trick. Don’t discount.