Hong Kong Saturday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong racing from Sha Tin is Saturday morning at 4:00 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 My Intelligent, 7 Super Joy, 8 Beat Hollow, 2 The Concentration

Race 2: 7 Fast Network, 3 Aurora Lady, 10 Grand Nova, 6 Day Day Victory

Race 3: 2 Baby Crystal, 1 We Are Hero, 5 Flying High, 7 Ka Ying Victory

Race 4: 1 The Winnabe, 8 Vantastic Choice, 4 Super Highway, 2 Scotch Tycoon

Race 5: 13 Great Achiever, 10 Master Of All, 11 Strathpeffer, 7 Enjoy Golf

Race 6: 4 Super Infinity, 11 Gluck Racer, 2 Lo Pan Spirit, 5 Harold Win

Race 7: 7 Copartner Prance, 4 Tomodachi Kokoroe, 2 Whizz Kid, 1 Nervous Witness

Race 8: 5 Flamingo Trillion, 1 Stunning Peach, 6 Universal Horizon, 7 Star Mac

Race 9: 8 Lucky Touch, 9 Super Unicorn, 2 The Absolute, No. 3 Ariel

Race 10: 2 Eighty Light Years, 1 Chiu Chow Spirit, 9 Super Goldi, 3 Beauty Crescent

Race 1: Butterfly Bay Handicap

No. 1 My Intelligent is suited in this grade and his latest effort was solid. He can take a big step forward here, especially with Zac Purton retaining the mount. One to beat. No. 7 Super Joy is in career-best form. He’s been racing well on the dirt, although he does appear capable of transferring that form to the turf this weekend. No. 8 Beat Hollow has an awkward gate to contend with this time. He’ll press forward in a bid to offset this and get his chance from there. No. 2 The Concentration is next best. He won well last weekend.

Race 2: Chai Wan Road Handicap

No. 7 Fast Network makes his debut after a string of solid barrier trials. His latest effort was impressive at Conghua and he appears forward enough to win on debut. One they all must catch. No. 3 Aurora Lady finished second on debut. He has the experience under his belt and gets his opportunity again, this time from gate one under Brenton Avdulla. No. 10 Grand Nova has been hard to get a gauge on so far. He clearly has ability and is worth affording another chance. No. 6 Day Day Victory is next best. Don’t discount.

Race 3: Tuen Mun Public Riding School Handicap

No. 2 Baby Crystal has the advantage with seven pounds coming off his back thanks to the apprentice’s claim. He loves the course and distance, especially as a three-time winner already this campaign. No. 1 We Are Hero returns to Class 3. He’s raced against tough opposition of late and does have a significant class-edge over this group. No. 5 Flying High has consistency on his side and it’s surprising to see him without a win this season. No. 7 Ka Ying Victory was an impressive winner last start. He gets another opportunity.

Race 4: Pok Fu Lam Public Riding School Handicap (1st Section)

No. 1 The Winnabe won well on debut in Hong Kong. Hugh Bowman retains the ride and the inside draw is incredibly ideal. He’ll take reeling in. No. 8 Vantastic Choice is expected to cross early in a bid to offset the tricky gate. He can take some getting past at times, especially if he’s left alone in the lead. No. 4 Super Highway will benefit from any rain around. He’s worth keeping safe. No. 2 Scotch Tycoon has regained some form and should get his chance from the inside gate.

Race 5: Lei Yue Mun Public Riding School Handicap

No. 13 Great Achiever should arguably already have a win under his belt. He’s strung together a few good runs this season and the best of those holds him in very good stead here. Taking a chance on him. No. 10 Master Of All is after a hat-trick of wins. He’s in the right vein of form and should still prove competitive up in grade. No. 11 Strathpeffer is seeking back-to-back wins. He’s figured it out now, although he does have to contend with another wide gate. No. 7 Enjoy Golf is improving. Keep safe. 

Race 5: The Hong Kong Riding For The Disabled Association Cup Handicap (2nd Section)

No. 4 Super Infinity did well to grab second on debut behind a smart horse. He can improve from that run and does appear to be quite progressive. He’ll take beating, especially with Zac Purton. No. 11 Gluck Racer returns from a setback. He’s a tidy horse on his day and the pairing with Karis Teetan catches the eye. No. 2 Lo Pan Spirit was impressive on debut before being beaten last time out. He’s in the right vein of form and should be able to maintain his progression. No. 5 Harold Win can take another forward step.

Race 7: Lung Mun Road Handicap

No. 7 Copartner Prance is chasing a fifth straight win. He’s a serious talent and his ascent appears far from over. Zac Purton retains the ride and even in this grade, he should take a power of beating. No. 4 Tomodachi Kokoroe has continued to exceed expectations all season. Admittedly he has performed better at Happy Valley, although this race does look suitable. No. 2 Whizz Kid can mix his form but is a Group 3 winner. The class is there for him. No. 1 Nervous Witness can roll forward and give them something to catch.

Race 8: The Pola Cup Handicap

No. 5 Flamingo Trillion is in the form of his life as he aims for a hat-trick of wins. He’ll benefit from any rain around, although even still, his past two successes have been nothing short of superb. No. 1 Stunning Peach turned his form around last start. There’s a fair bit of hype around this colt and he appears well placed to improve once again. No. 6 Universal Horizon can surprise. Even if there’s rain around, he should be able to charge through it. No. 7 Star Mac is worth consideration. Next in line.

Race 9: Pok Fu Lam Country Park Handicap

No. 8 Lucky Touch is an improving galloper, who appears to have plenty of rating points in hand. Zac Purton retains the ride and he was a touch unlucky last start as he tried to come home between runners. One to beat. No. 9 Super Unicorn is progressing well and his latest effort for third was sound. He has a suitable gate. No. 2 The Absolute can mix his form, however, he does have a stack of ability. The wide draw is a slight hindrance. No. 3 Ariel is consistent and is favored with the seven pounds coming off his back.

Race 10: Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap

No. 2 Eighty Light Years has the apprentice up and is expected to roll forward and lead. He’ll take some getting past in the finale at Sha Tin. No. 1 Chiu Chow Spirit is a winner in the grade and he looks to have several rating points in hand. He’s racing well and gets his opportunity this weekend. No. 9 Super Goldi can mix his form but is a two-time winner already across six starts. No. 3 Beauty Crescent has loads of ability, although he is struggling to piece it all together. It wouldn’t surprise to see him put in a big effort regardless.

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.

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