Hong Kong Saturday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Race 1: 1 Karate Express, 9 Ka Ying Resilience, 4 Santorini, 10 Patch Of Cosmo

Race 2: 11 Easy Two, 2 Speedy Fortune, 6 Sonic Boom, 1 Daily Trophy

Race 3: 8 Charmander, 5 Asian One, 1 Smart Beauty, 10 Superb Daddy

Race 4: 3 Robot Knight, 8 Hinokami Kagura, 9 Sky Song, 5 Aca Power

Race 5: 4 Courier Aladdin, 1 Top Scorer, 2 Fun N Fun Together, 5 Dragon Joy

Race 6: 6 Lucky Touch, 13 Invincible Missile, 8 Meepmeep, 3 Laugh Tale

Race 7: 12 Thunder Blink, 3 Sunlight Power, 5 Beauty Fit, 1 Hasten Delight

Race 8: 1 Enjoy Golf, 2 Chateauneuf, 4 All Riches, 8 Ballistic Win

Race 9: 5 The Winnabe, 9 King Miles, 12 Greenwich, 4 Not Usual Star

Race 10: 3 Full Credit, 5 Lo Pan Spirit, 9 Star Club, 6 Moduleconstruction

Race 1: Purves Quaich Plate

No. 1 Karate Express did well to win on debut and he shapes as the one they all must beat again. He can take another step forward here, even as he races around a bend for the first time. No. 9 Ka Ying Resilience finished second on debut. That was a very good effort and he’s open to further improvement here. No. 4 Santorini has done well across his four-start career, finishing inside the top three each time. He can make his presence felt this weekend. No. 10 Patch Of Cosmo is lightly raced but has proven competitive.

Race 2: Swaine Cup Handicap

No. 11 Easy Two made up a stack of ground last start to grab third. He can advance further here and he has the experience now to score a breakthrough win. The featherweight impost is an advantage. No. 2 Speedy Fortune can press for the lead, especially from the inside draw. Zac Purton hops up and he gets a super chance. No. 6 Sonic Boom is without a win. He mixes his form at times, although he has shown he is clearly capable. No. 1 Daily Trophy comes back to Class 5 which suits. Next in line.

Race 3: Wong Cup Handicap

No. 8 Charmander is unlucky to not already be a winner. He returns on the quick back-up and further improvement is expected. No. 5 Asian One was solid last start and that sort of effort holds him in very good stead. He has a suitable gate and should get a sweet run throughout. No. 1 Smart Beauty has the class-edge over this group. He’s racing well and has been in super form all campaign with a trio of wins. No. 10 Superb Daddy can mix his form, although does have a light weight. Next in line.

Race 4: Li Cup Handicap

No. 3 Robot Knight is closing in on a first win. He’s ready now and Zac Purton’s booking enhances confidence, especially from gate three on a surface he clearly likes. No. 8 Hinokami Kagura has done well across nine starts. He’s shown he’s capable and he gets a super shot here. No. 9 Sky Song is lightly raced, although he is showing great potential. He displayed a powerful finish last start when finishing fifth from the tail of the field. No. 5 Aca Power does his best racing over this course and distance. Next best.

Race 5: Arculli Trophy Handicap

No. 4 Courier Aladdin makes his debut. His latest trial was super impressive and he rates strongly here following that effort. He has Zac Purton up and he should find the right position from gate four. No. 1 Top Scorer is unlucky not to already be a winner. He draws ideally and can make his presence felt. No. 2 Fun N Fun Together has done well across two starts and he’s open to taking another forward step here. No. 5 Dragon Joy turned his form around to grab fourth last start. He’s another who is on an upward trajectory.

Race 6: Chan Trophy Handicap

No. 6 Lucky Touch has done plenty right across four starts. He’s closing in on a first win and Zac Purton retains the ride this weekend, although the wide gate won’t help. No. 13 Invincible Missile is racing well and comes into this in very good form. He’s lowly weighted and steps away from a soft gate. No. 8 Meepmeep has ability, however, he is proving hard to catch. His best can see him figure in this test. No. 3 Laugh Tale is capable and gets his chance.

Race 7: Stevenson Cup Handicap, 1st section

No. 12 Thunder Blink is aiming to remain unbeaten. He’s been super impressive across two winning starts and this contest does appear well within his grasp. Gate six should afford him the opportunity. No. 3 Sunlight Power is aiming for back-to-back wins. He can maintain his upward trajectory. No. 5 Beauty Fit has been super consistent all season. He’s reliable, tough and gets another chance here. No. 1 Hasten Delight is lightly raced, although he has already won once. He gets his chance.

Race 8: Ip Jug Handicap

No. 1 Enjoy Golf is seeking consecutive wins. He remains in Class 4 following that triumph which suits. He can win again for Hugh Bowman. No. 2 Chateauneuf is lightly raced and showing plenty of potential. He’s a one-time winner. Zac Purton’s booking is an advantage. No. 4 All Riches was tough last start. He’ll roll forward from the gate and give this group something to reel in. No. 8 Ballistic Win narrowly missed last start. He gets a shot as he continues to improve with racing.

Race 9: Chow Silver Plate Handicap, 2nd section

No. 5 The Winnabe is unbeaten and chasing a third straight win. He’s a serious talent and the rise in distance looks like a positive. He can prevail again, even against this group. No. 9 King Miles is next in line. He’s a two-time winner from five starts and his ascent doesn’t look like it will stop here. No. 12 Greenwich won his way into Class 3 last start. He’ll press forward from the wide draw and take his opportunity. No. 4 Not Usual Star is hard to catch, although he does have a stack of ability.

Race 10: Philip Chen Trophy Handicap

No. 3 Full Credit has a stack of potential and the inside gate has him favored. He meets tough opposition, although he was tough as when racing on the speed last start. No. 5 Lo Pan Spirit is another who is improving with every start. He rises in grade, however, his most recent effort suggests that he can easily handle the step up. No. 9 Star Club has an ideal gate and the services of Zac Purton. No. 6 Moduleconstruction is next best. He rarely runs a bad race and this weekend’s test should be no exception.

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.