Hong Kong opening night: Picks, analysis, free PPs for Sha Tin

Hong Kong racing returns for the 2024-25 season overnight from Sha Tin with the first post Sunday at 12:50 a.m. EDT, Saturday at 9:50 p.m. PDT. Free past performances are once again available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.

Race 1: 2 Joyful Prosperity, 8 Go Go Go, 4 Mr Aladdin, 13 Happy Hunk

Race 2: 3 Super Elite, 1 Tattenham, 9 Same To You, 5 Smart Leader

Race 3: 8 Beauty Waves, 1 Ka Ying Rising, 3 Lucky With You, 2 Flying Ace

Race 4: 1 Fast Network, 12 Parents’ Love, 2 Metro Warrior, 11 Super Glory

Race 5: 4 My Wish, 1 California Deeply, 5 Super Bonus, 2 Yeah Buddy

Race 6: 4 Highland Rahy, 3 Fighting Machine, 11 Forerunner, 9 Charity For All

Race 7: 7 Frantanck, 1 Supreme Lucky, 4 Superb Boy, 2 Chiu Chow Spirit

Race 8: 7 Family Jewel, 8 Solid Win, 12 Gangnam Star, 1 Ballistic Win

Race 9: 1 First Love, 8 Geneva, 6 Master Mastermind, 5 Harold Win

Race 10: 1 Gorgeous Win, 6 Silo, 3 Young Superstar, 5 Glory Elite

Race 1: Kowloon Peak Handicap

No. 2 Joyful Prosperity makes his class 5 debut and first run for Danny Shum. His class 4 form suggests a strong showing if the wide barrier doesn’t hinder his chances. No. 8 Go Go Go is a long-standing maiden but is itching to break through with Zac Purton in the saddle. No. 4 Mr Aladdin had plenty of chances in class 4 last season but didn’t deliver. He should find class 5 easier and can make his mark. No. 13 Happy Hunk has no form to write home about, but he may receive an uncontested lead and could improve for a place.

Race 2: Lin Fa Shan Handicap

No. 3 Super Elite improved after a stable transfer from Ricky Yiu to David Hall, as seen when he won by two lengths last time. He could still have more to offer this season. No. 1 Tattenham placed third on his first try in class 5 last time and looks poised for a win in this grade. No. 9 Same To You resumes on a low mark and trialed well ahead of his return. No. 5 Smart Leader is back in class 5, where he is more effective and should be followed closely.

Race 3: HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap

No. 8 Beauty Waves slots in nicely at the weights in a race that historically favors those with a light impost. Conditions and a kind draw in barrier No. 2 are ideal. No. 1 Ka Ying Rising is a star in the making. While conditions don’t favor him, his class will carry him a long way. No. 3 Lucky With You finds an easier contest than in recent starts. Runner-up finishes to Lucky Sweynesse and Victor The Winner place him in good stead. No. 2 Flying Ace will enjoy a true tempo and will be making his presence felt in the concluding stages.

Race 4: Lantau Peak Handicap

No. 1 Fast Network was a smart course and distance winner on debut. The 4-year-old has upside and remaining in class 4 places him as the one to beat. No. 12 Parents’ Love is a reliable beginner and is better than his record suggests; improvement is expected. No. 2 Metro Warrior is an honest straight-track performer and is rarely beaten far in this grade, while his draw suits the straight course. No. 11 Super Glory trialed well for his return and, being lightly raced, has potential to improve this campaign.

Race 5: Yi Tung Shan Handicap, 1st division

No. 4 My Wish was narrowly beaten in his second race last term. He returns to the races after catching the eye at the trials. A maiden win looks imminent. No. 1 California Deeply makes his debut in class 4, and his competitiveness in class 3 augurs well for his chances, especially with Zac Purton on board. No. 5 Super Bonus is eyeing a hat-trick of wins upon resuming. He will press forward and make his own luck from an inside draw. No. 2 Yeah Buddy will find class 4 easier and is poised for improvement this campaign.

Race 6: Ma On Shan Handicap, 1st division

No. 4 Highland Rahy is lightly raced in Hong Kong and resumes this season in class 4. He can find the front from pole position, and the booking of Vincent Ho instills confidence. No. 3 Fighting Machine is better than his record of one win suggests. He is well-prepared for his return and could pick up an early-season win. No. 11 Forerunner regained form after a stable transfer to Cody Mo last season and is due for another win. No. 9 Charity For All has Hugh Bowman in the saddle and is primed to continue on an improving trajectory this campaign.

Race 7: Tai Mo Shan Handicap

No. 7 Frantanck may receive an uncontested lead, and a well-timed ride could see him pinch this, especially with Angus Chung back aboard. No. 1 Supreme Lucky trialed up well for his return. He is always close up in a finish, and trainer Danny Shum’s runners are formidable early-season contenders. No. 4 Superb Boy is a model of consistency and will be favored from an on-pace position with Zac Purton remaining on board. No. 2 Chiu Chow Spirit was in superb form towards the end of last season, capped by a course and distance win. He remains in good order.

Race 8: Ma On Shan Handicap, 2nd division

No. 7 Family Jewel showed promise in two runs last campaign and was a particular eye-catcher in a recent trial, finding a winnable contest here. No. 8 Solid Win lines up for just his third career start and has upside, making him one to follow. No. 12 Gangnam Star broke through at the top of class 5 in his final run of the season. Returning to class 4 doesn’t diminish his chances here, especially as he hails from Pierre Ng’s stable. No. 1 Ballistic Win won decisively the last time he raced and could have more to come.

Race 9: Yi Tung Shan Handicap, 2nd division

No. 1 First Love won convincingly on his second run last season and is headed higher in the ratings this campaign under Pierre Ng. No. 8 Geneva has shown promise but is yet to deliver a win. He gets his chance with Hugh Bowman committing. No. 6 Master Mastermind is overdue for a win, and the application of blinkers for the first time should switch him on. No. 5 Harold Win was close to breaking through last season, his first win now well within reach.

Race 10: Sunset Peak Handicap

No. 1 Gorgeous Win returns to class 3 and reunites with Zac Purton. He is poised for a return to the winner’s enclosure and gets conditions to suit. No. 6 Silo is having his second start in Hong Kong, looking well in his recent trial, and with better things to come this campaign. No. 3 Young Superstar won impressively on his local debut but disappointed second-up. He can give a sight should front-running tactics be adopted from the wide gate. No. 5 Glory Elite is chasing a hat-trick of wins on the class rise and should measure up.

Luke Middlebrook is a contributor at Idol Horse. After catching the Hong Kong racing bug, Luke spent several years blogging about the sport before relocating to Singapore in 2016. There he spent eight years as the resident expert at iRace Media, overseeing all form-related and editorial content for horse racing in Hong Kong and Singapore.

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