Hong Kong overnight: Picks, analysis, free PPs for Sha Tin

Hong Kong racing is at Sha Tin overnight beginning Sunday at 12:45 a.m. EDT., Saturday 9:45 p.m. PDT. Free PPs are available at Horse Racing Nation. For more free handicapping information, visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website.

Race 1: 5 Mission Strike, 3 Serangoon, 11 Good Good, 6 Ace War

Race 2: 1 Fast Network, 3 Mid Winter Wind, 2 Bottomuptogether, 7 Stellar Express

Race 3: 3 Sea Emerald, 7 Ka Ying Glory, 10 Jumbo Treasure, 12 Loving Vibes

Race 4: 4 With A Smile, 12 Bienvenue, 8 Little Paradise, 6 Dashing Pal

Race 5: 3 Galaxy Patch, 4 Chancheng Glory, 12 Sunlight Power, 5 Ensued

Race 6: 1 Horsepower, 5 La Forza, 11 Circuit Jolly, 10 Aurora Patch

Race 7: 1 Ka Ying Rising, 3 Helios Express, 4 Lucky With You, 2 California Spangle

Race 8: 3 South Star, 7 Wrote A New Page, 2 Endued, 5 Max Que

Race 9: 5 Crossborderpegasus, 1 Packing Power, 6 Sunny Da Best, 10 Call Me Gorgeous

Race 10: 8 Another World, 7 Yuen Long Elite, 2 Charming Legend, 4 Spicy Gold

Race 1 Severn Handicap

No. 5 Mission Strike steps up to what should be a suitable 1 1/4 miles after two promising runs over 1 1/8 miles at Happy Valley, and the switch to Sha Tin looks another positive. His last-start second to Beauty Alliance reads as a standout form reference, and he shapes as one of the key players, especially with a kind draw in post 2. No. 3 Serangoon dropped back in trip to 1 1/8 miles last time after an easy win over 1 3/8 miles the run prior, so the return to 1 1/4 miles is favorable. The race shape was against him last time, and it was a better run than it reads. No. 11 Good Good is another who will relish the rise from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/4 miles, where he is one from one at the course and distance. He has early speed and will be up on the pace for a long way. No. 6 Ace War is finding his feet since sliding down the ratings into Class 4. He showed marked improvement last start when third over 1 1/8 miles, and having won up to 1 1/4 miles overseas prior to import, the extra trip should suit.

Race 2 Barker Handicap

No. 1 Fast Network bounced back to winning form in impressive style last start, relishing the drop back in trip after a fair effort over the mile, which looked to stretch him. With just seven runners engaged here, the tempo will be pivotal, but his turn of foot stands him out as the one to beat. No. 3 Mid Winter Wind made a big impression with a slashing debut win, but the rise to the mile second-up didn’t work out as he could only manage a fair fifth, failing to let down in the same manner. Freshened for 42 days and trialed fairly between runs, he gets the chance to show his best again back to the sprint trip. No. 2 Bottomuptogether maps to lead from post 3 and, if left alone in front, could pinch some cheap sectionals and prove hard to reel in. However, there are a few who could apply early pressure, which may test his ability to control the race on his own terms. No. 7 Stellar Express has been holding form well with recent placings, including behind Bottomuptogether, and goes in as one to consider for the exotics.

Race 3 Plantation Handicap, 1st division

No. 3 Sea Emerald turned in a promising debut effort when working across from post 11 to sit outside the leader, Akashvani, who went on to win impressively. Despite showing signs of greenness, he stuck on well for second and should come on nicely from the run. With natural improvement, he gets his chance to go one place better second-up. No. 7 Ka Ying Glory receives an inside draw and the booking of Zac Purton for his debut. He has looked sharp in his trials and is expected to be well supported to make an immediate impact first-up for the David Hayes stable. No. 10 Jumbo Treasure looks ready for the step up to six furlongs after two solid runs over five furlongs. He was no match for Justifying last start when beaten four lengths into third, but that reads as strong form for this. No. 12 Loving Vibes is edging closer to a maiden win after back-to-back runner-up efforts, beaten only by narrow margins on each occasion. He remains in the mix.

Race 4 Plantation Handicap, 2nd division

No. 4 With A Smile hasn’t had much go his way in his first two starts. On debut, he was badly held up in the straight when finishing 1.5 lengths off Sky Joy in sixth, and second-up he drew wide in post 11, raced three wide near the pace, and stuck on gamely to be beaten under a length by Crossborderpegasus. With a better run in transit, he looks ready to break through. No. 12 Bienvenue tends to get back in his races, which has been costly, but he continues to hint at a breakthrough. His better-than-it-reads seventh to Crossborderpegasus last time followed runner-up finishes behind Masterofmyuniverse and Sky Joy, which reads as solid form. No. 8 Little Paradise debuts for the Jimmy Ting yard and has been trialing well. He’s shown solid early speed in his last two heats and looks likely to push forward again here. Expect him to acquit himself well. No. 6 Dashing Pal outran market expectations on debut with a fast-finishing fifth to Ballistic Win, beaten just over a length. That was encouraging, and he can take another step forward here.

Race 5 Chairman's Trophy

No. 3 Galaxy Patch finds a much easier contest than in recent starts where Voyage Bubble has proven a tough nut to crack. His latest effort in the Gold Cup is best overlooked, as he raced too keenly and didn’t settle. Back to the mile with a 35-day freshen and a sharp trial between runs, this is his chance to bounce back to winning ways. No. 4 Chancheng Glory gave a bold sight in the Gold Cup over 1 1/4 miles, and while no match for Voyage Bubble when finishing five lengths off in third, it was another impressive effort from the reliable 5-year-old. His tactical versatility and proven track and distance record make him one to give a sight again here. No. 12 Sunlight Power is thriving this season with three wins from eight. This is a tougher test against some of the top-tier opposition, but his explosive turn of foot makes him an interesting contender. No. 5 Ensued may be a query at the trip, with his winning form coming over 1 1/8 miles and beyond, but he’s a classy type who could sneak into the finish with the right run.

Race 6 Harlech Handicap

No. 1 Horsepower has drawn the wrong part of the track in post 1 for the straight course but puts his unbeaten record on the line after two eye-catching local wins. In his favor is a strong tempo on paper, which should allow him to finish over the top as he’s been doing. He’s trialed well since and remains the one to beat. No. 5 La Forza steps into Class 3 after an impressive first-up win with blinkers on for the first time, leading from go to whoa in a comfortable 2 1/2-length victory. He looks a promising 3-year-old with more to offer. No. 11 Circuit Jolly is another progressive youngster who lost no admirers when third first-up over six furlongs on his Class 3 debut. He can improve back to this course and distance. No. 10 Aurora Patch is improving with more racing and turned in his best effort yet with a narrow second to Horsepower last time. He can take further improvement and looks on the verge of a breakthrough.

Race 7 Sprint Cup

No. 1 Ka Ying Rising handled the rise to seven furlongs with ease last time to claim his third successive Group 1 victory. He drops back in trip here and carries a five-pound penalty under the Group 2 conditions, but it’s hard to see that stopping the superstar. He reunites with Zac Purton, who was aboard for a recent trial in which he looked as sharp as ever. No. 3 Helios Express continues to be a hard-luck story this season, with his form defined by repeated runner-up finishes behind Ka Ying Rising, four seconds and a third. He’ll be closing hard again, but he’ll need the favorite to underperform to turn the tables. No. 4 Lucky With You has rediscovered career-best form, winning his last two starts in Class 1 with weight over some of these rivals. He meets them better at the weights now and is not without hope. No. 2 California Spangle needs to lift, his form is down and it’s been a year since his last win, but he’ll give his usual front-running sight and gets suitable conditions, so a return to form can’t be ruled out.

Race 8 Pollock Handicap

No. 3 South Star was a luckless runner-up to Sky Jewellery last start after being hemmed up in traffic for much of the home straight. His debut effort also caught the eye, dropping back from post 12 before surging late into fifth. He does have a tricky gate to navigate in post 10, but he looks ready to win. No. 7 Wrote A New Page is trending in the right direction. His debut over six furlongs was a fair effort and suggested he wanted more ground, while his second-up run over seven furlongs carried merit despite suffering interference in the final furlong. He draws nicely in gate 4 and may be able to position closer with some early intent. No. 2 Endued is having his second attempt in Class 4 and did enough first time in the grade, when hampered at the homestretch but still finishing a close-up fourth. He is unknown at seven furlongs, but his form is heading the right way. No. 5 Max Que closed in well for second last start on his fourth outing, bouncing back from an excusable seventh. He’s improving with racing and remains in the mix, though post 14 is not ideal.

Race 9 Homestead Handicap

No. 5 Crossborderpegasus chases a hat-trick of wins as he rises to Class 3 after two ultra-impressive victories to kick off his career for the John Size stable. He’s still showing signs of greenness but possesses plenty of natural ability and remains the one to beat despite the stronger company. No. 1 Packing Power resumes from a layoff after being sidelined for the second time with internal issues, most recently in late January. While health concerns linger, his recent trial was encouraging and suggests he may be able to recapture some of his early career form. No. 6 Sunny Da Best is better placed back at Sha Tin after a forgive run at Happy Valley last time. His second-place finish to Mid Winter Wind two starts ago reads well for this. No. 10 Call Me Gorgeous draws his best gate yet in post 1 since arriving in Hong Kong and has caught the eye in several of his local runs from wide draws. Back in Australia, he raced handy when winning, so a change of tactics could be on the cards here from the inside draw.

Race 10 Lugard Handicap

No. 8 Another World is ready to break his Class 3 duck. After stringing together back-to-back wins in Class 4, he placed second to Derby third-placegetter Packing Angel on his first Class 3 attempt before a meritorious third in another strong form race. He has trialed well between runs and looks suited returning to seven furlongs. No. 7 Yuen Long Elite drew wide in post 11 on his first try in the grade and raced keenly at the rear in a moderately run race. There was merit to his closing fifth against the race shape, and he can take a step forward on that effort. No. 2 Charming Legend has been freshened since a weakening 12th in mid-January. He looks the likely leader in a race with little speed engaged, and his recent trial suggests he’s returned in good order. No. 4 Spicy Gold picked up his third win of the season last start over six furlongs and now switches back to Sha Tin while rising to seven furlongs for just the second time, two factors where he remains relatively unexposed. Still, the speed map favours his chances, and the maturing 5-year-old could be ready for the challenge.

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.