Hong Kong Wednesday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong racing at Happy Valley is Wednesday at 6:40 a.m. EDT. Free PPs are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.

Race 1: 1 Beauty Waves, 2 Heroic Master, 4 Harmony Fire, 3 Happy United

Race 9: 9 Flamingo Trillion, 3 Noble Pursuit, 1 Gallant Waking, 7 Intrepid Winner

Race 1: Jeju Handicap

No. 1 Beauty Waves broke through in style last start. He’s a nice horse and further progression is expected here, especially with Zac Purton retaining the ride. He’ll take a bit of beating this week. No. 2 Heroic Master has been racing well of late. Hugh Bowman hops up and he gets his chance from an ideal gate. No. 4 Harmony Fire can find the front and give this group something to reel in. He gets a handy 10 pounds taken off his back with the apprentice up. No. 3 Happy United is next in line.

Race 2: Hallasan Handicap

No. 8 Precision Goal can find the front from gate 1. He’ll give this group something to reel in from there, especially for an in-form David Hayes. No. 6 Circuit Elite turned his form around last start and can continue to perform at that level with the apprentice up. No. 7 Loyal Ambition steps out for a red-hot Caspar Fownes stable. He loves the Valley and can easily make his presence felt here under under Vincent Ho. No. 11 Brother Pearl slots in light and while hard to figure out, he definitely have a bit of ability.

Race 3: Yeongcheon Handicap

No. 3 Beau Gosse has improved significantly in Class 5 and he can continue to race well here, especially with Hugh Bowman engaged. He draws ideally and rates as the one they all must beat. No. 4 Mr Good Vibes is lightly raced and continues to make steady headway. He draws well and should roll forward in a bid to get his chance. No. 1 Noble One is suited in Class 5 and can contend against this group, even with top-weight assigned. No. 2 Tactical Command has some ability and warrants consideration.

Race 4: Daegu Handicap

No. 8 Great Achiever is better than his record suggests. He can surprise soon enough and this contest appears more than suitable. Take a chance on him this week with Jerry Chau retaining the ride. No. 1 Ma Comet is lightly raced and can improve with the step down in grade. No. 9 Lean Master was a tidy winner two starts back. He goes about his racing the right way and just needs to overcome the wide draw. No. 11 Gorgeous Vitality slots in light and has the runs on the board. He’ll find form again.

Race 5: The Korea Racing Authority Trophy Handicap

No. 2 Duke Wai ran well at Happy Valley earlier this season. If he manages to reproduce that effort then he’ll take a bit of beating here. His class will carry him a long way. No. 9 Humble Star returns from a setback after scoring back-to-back wins. He carries the featherweight and has a suitable draw for Karis Teetan. No. 7 Harmony N Blessed is after consecutive wins. Expecting he rolls forward from barrier three to get his opportunity. No. 1 Whizz Kid is next in line.

Race 6: Incheon Handicap

No. 9 Young Victory has returned to a seriously competitive mark. He’s racing well at present and Jerry Chau retains the ride this week. No. 2 Snowalot is in serious form as he seeks back-to-back wins. He carries a bit more weight, although does pair favorably with Zac Purton once again. No. 10 Can’t Go Wong has found his feet and can continue to take the right steps forward. He goes about his racing well and the inside draw is a plus. No. 4 Pegasus General has been consistent this season. Next best.

Race 7: Busan Handicap (2nd section)

No. 7 Glory Cloud has done well across four starts in Hong Kong. He’s showing the right signs of improvement and Hugh Bowman’s retention is a big advantage. One to beat. No. 6 Sight Supreme makes his debut after a solid recent trial. He draws ideally and makes his debut under Zac Purton. No. 4 Diamond Flare has the inside gate on his side and chances are he rolls forward to press for the lead. No. 2 Our Lucky Glory is after back-to-back wins. He’s found a return to form and can make his presence felt this week.

Race 8: Busan Handicap (1st section)

No. 4 High Percentage broke through for his first win last start. He was rewarded following a string of near misses with that win. Zac Purton stays up and he shapes as the one they all must beat. No. 3 Togepi has a powerful finish on his day and he gets his chance this week. No. 1 Golden Long has an inside gate and is racing well. Expecting he’ll take up a forward position here and get every opportunity. No. 12 Happy Feeling is after a first win and continues to make the right progress. Next best.

Race 9: Seoul Handicap

No. 9 Flamingo Trillion is suited with the forecasted rain throughout this week. He grows an extra leg on the surface and can easily thrive here, if he gets it. Take a chance on him if the rain continues. No. 3 Noble Pursuit is a nice horse and knows how to win. He’s won three races this season and is clearly much better suited to racing at Happy Valley. No. 1 Gallant Waking has a powerful finish and gets his chance here. No. 7 Intrepid Winner can mix his form but loves the course and distance. 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.