Hong Kong Wednesday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs
Race 1: 3 M M Nebula, 10 Brother Pearl, 12 Joyful Champion, 4 Nice Birdie
Race 1: Kap Shui Mun Handicap
No. 3 M M Nebula is racing well and draws ideally. Zac Purton hops up and he should get his chance close to the speed, which is where he does his best racing. One to beat. No. 10 Brother Pearl has mixed his form but is rarely too far away. Expecting further improvement, even from the wide gate. No. 12 Joyful Champion slots in light and receives the services of Karis Teetan. He’ll make his own luck on the pace. No. 4 Nice Birdie hops on the dirt again and deserves his chance here, especially under Hugh Bowman.
No. 6 Happy Tango can find the front and he should try to make all here. He gets a favorable 10 pounds removed from his back with the apprentice up. One to catch. No. 3 Beau Gosse has found form of late and just needs to overcome the wide gate. He carries a hefty impost here, although he is racing very well. No. 8 Double Show steps onto the dirt for the first time in a long time. He’s worth consideration as his last three runs have returned two top-three finishes. No. 10 Super Joy is most deserving of a win. He’ll be flying home late.
No. 5 Vantastic Choice gets the apprentice up with a handy 10 pounds coming off his back. He’s well weighted, draws gate one and should find a soft enough lead. He’ll take catching, especially if he gaps the field mid-race, just as he has done before. No. 11 Aca Power knows what it’s all about and he rarely puts in a bad effort. No. 6 Sergeant Pepper maps to get a sweet run and he’s returned to a suitable mark now. The draw suits and he has a few favors on his side. No. 10 Hinokami Kagura is coming to hand and warrants consideration here.
No. 10 High Rise Power turned in a superb effort last start and he can take another step forward following that run. He’s ready to win after that and clearly the dirt course at Sha Tin is to his liking. No. 3 Flying Dragon has been thereabouts all season and deserves another win. Class 4 and Hugh Bowman’s services hold him in very good stead. No. 2 Solid Shalaa broke through last start and he can take another forward step for an in-form David Hayes. No. 4 Diamond Flare can roll forward and give this group something to catch under the apprentice.
No. 5 Sing Dragon is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s only making his third start in Hong Kong and appears to have a stack of upside still to come. One to beat. No. 2 Victory Moments has returned in superb form this season and he meets Sing Dragon after finishing second last time out to him. Next in line and these two are expected to fight it out once again. No. 1 Youthful Deal has lost his way a touch but can easily return to his best with the dip to Class 3. Keep safe. No. 7 Lightning Bolt has raced well on the dirt before. He’s worth including.
No. 6 Panda Legend was a tidy winner two starts back. He’s better than his last start struggles indicate and the inside draw here is a big advantage. He’s previously raced well on the dirt and this contest should be no exception. Take a chance. No. 9 Triumphant Warrior continues to make inroads. Zac Purton is aboard and he gets his shot. No. 11 Starship Eighty is fit and ready to roll, just as he has been all season having returned a trio of wins already. No. 1 Hakka Radiance dips in grade and it wouldn’t surprise to see him press forward in a bid to find form.
No. 13 Massive Action slots in light. He can find the front here and under the featherweight give this group something to reel in. The inside gate will afford him a soft lead early on. No. 4 Adefill goes about his racing the right way. Hugh Bowman hops up and he’s done well with a pair of wins under his belt already this season. No. 3 Apache Pass is struggling to find his best, which could easily see him contend here. Keep safe. No. 6 Yellowfin can push forward to offset his awkward draw. He’ll have claims from there.