Hong Kong Sunday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Race 1: 2 Turtle Again, 7 Happy Hero, 6 Go Go Go, 9 Arthur’s Kingdom

Race 2: 1 Mr Ascendancy, 2 Wonder Kit, 3 Supreme Lucky, 5 Superb Boy

Race 3: 13 Happihood, 3 Tactical Command, 10 Casa Legend, 12 General Winner

Race 4: 5 Grand Nova, 10 Silver Destiny, 1 Awesome Treasure, 13 Super Bonus

Race 5: 1 King Miles, 2 Leedox, 7 Currahee, 10 Fast As Rocket

Race 6: 2 James Tak, 4 Stellar Express, 1 Hasten Delight, 10 Thriving Brothers

Race 7: 5 Steps Ahead, 1 Lucy In The Sky, 3 Prince Of Porty, 2 Coming Patch

Race 8: 4 Galaxy Patch, 1 Beauty Joy, 3 Taj Dragon, 8 Chancheng Glory

Race 9: 9 Ka Ying Rising, 7 Mugen, 1 Victor The Winner, 2 Invincible Sage

Race 10: 1 My Flying Angel, 3 Top Scorer, 2 Let’s Do It, 5 Handsome Bomb

Race 11: 6 Second To None, 14 Lost Child, 4 Storm Rider, 10 Capital Legend

Race 1: Sha Tin Hoi Handicap

No. 2 Turtle Again is much, much better in the bottom grade. Expecting big things this weekend from him with Hugh Bowman engaged, even from the wide draw. One to beat. No. 7 Happy Hero is suited over these distances. His recent form has been sound and the inside gate should see him save a stack of ground throughout. Gets his chance. No. 6 Go Go Go is closing in on a first win. He’s aiming to snap consecutive runner-up efforts. No. 9 Arthur’s Kingdom recorded an overdue first win in Hong Kong last time out. Next best. 

Race 2: Penfold Park Handicap

No. 1 Mr Ascendancy has the class edge over rivals this weekend. He meets a small field, although he is a winner in the grade above. He’s won twice this term and can easily do so again. No. 2 Wonder Kit has been nothing short of consistent all season, even though he’s only recorded the one win this term. He deserves another here. No. 3 Supreme Lucky has more improvement to come. His last two starts have been superb and he’s a major threat. No. 5 Superb Boy is next in line. He can bounce back.

Race 3: Ma Liu Shui Handicap

No. 13 Happihood slots in light and he’s making steady improvement. His most recent effort was very good when second at Happy Valley. He’s worth taking a chance on. No. 3 Tactical Command is racing well and gets another shot here. He should get a sweet run throughout from barrier one. No. 10 Casa Legend tends to mix his form, although his most recent effort was one of his better performances. No. 12 General Winner is in solid form and his latest two outings were strong. He’ll make his presence felt this weekend. 

Race 4: Shing Mun River Channel Handicap (2nd Section)

No. 5 Grand Nova can improve after an inconclusive debut at Happy Valley. He’s since been trialing well and Hugh Bowman’s retention is worth keeping a close watch on. One to beat, especially from the right stable. No. 10 Silver Destiny has been disappointing of late, although his form prior was strong. He only needs to recapture that level of racing to be a factor this weekend. No. 1 Awesome Treasure is after back-to-back wins. He remains in Class 4. No. 13 Super Bonus draws well and may roll forward to lead. Next best.

Race 5: Tolo Harbour Handicap, first section

No. 1 King Miles continues to impress. He was a tidy winner two runs back and does appear to be holding his condition well. One they all must beat. No. 2 Leedox was unlucky last start and he can easily improve from that run. Hugh Bowman hops up and his biggest challenge will be navigating the wide gate. No. 7 Currahee closed into fourth last time out. He’s made swift progression and gets his chance this weekend. No. 10 Fast As Rocket is better than his record suggests. Expecting another forward showing on Sunday.

Race 6: Fo Tan Handicap

No. 2 James Tak has a super record with three wins from seven starts. He’s never finished worse than fourth and can improve out of sight back on dry ground. Clear top pick. No. 4 Stellar Express is lightly raced but has shown that he’s a winner in waiting. He goes about his racing well and receives another chance this weekend. No. 1 Hasten Delight can turn his form around after finishing down the track on rain affected ground. His win two starts ago was very good. No. 10 Thriving Brothers makes his debut. Next best.

Race 7: Shing Mun River Channel Handicap, first section

No. 5 Steps Ahead caught the eye with a superb second on debut. He’ll improve after that effort and gate one affords him a great chance. Take beating. No. 1 Lucy In The Sky has held his condition after breaking through two starts ago. He has a few more rating points in hand. No. 3 Prince Of Porty is steadily returning to his best. He has the gate to overcome, although deep down he does have the class to defeat this group. No. 2 Coming Patch is after back-to-back wins. He’s an in-form horse with claims.

Race 8: G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap

No. 4 Galaxy Patch is a serious talent and he should be able to defeat this group. He’s placed at the top-level in the past and it appears as though we are still yet to see his very best. One to beat, as long it’s a dry track. No. 1 Beauty Joy is hard to catch, however, his win at Group 2 level recently was superb. No. 3 Taj Dragon is seeking back-to-back wins. He’s consistent and gets his chance here. No. 8 Chancheng Glory is favored with no weight on his back. He can find the right spot from gate three under a familiar set of hands.

Race 9: G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap

No. 9 Ka Ying Rising was super impressive in Class 2 last start. This is a decent step up, however, he comes into this race under the right circumstances with a featherweight against a string of classy opponents. Worth taking a chance on. No. 7 Mugen falls into a similar category with the light weight. He’s untapped and his ceiling hasn’t been reached. No. 1 Victor The Winner can fire forward and lead this group. He’s a Group 1 winner with a stack of class. No. 2 Invincible Sage has a hefty weight. He won at Group 1 level last start.

Race 10: Tolo Harbour Handicap, second section

No. 1 My Flying Angel has the wide draw to overcome, although his form prior to last start was very good. He’s clearly got ability and does get a super chance this weekend, especially back on dry ground. No. 3 Top Scorer is consistent without winning. He’s finished second four times from five starts in Hong Kong. No. 2 Let’s Do It has a powerful finish and will be chasing hard. Gets his chance in a suitable grade. No. 5 Handsome Bomb is lightly raced. He’s talented and deserves respect.

Race 11: Kau To Shan Handicap

No. 6 Second To None is yet to disappoint with two wins from six starts. He’s swiftly climbing the handicap and this contest is suitable. He’s the in-form horse who is more than capable of recording another win. No. 14 Lost Child slots in light and comes into this test following a pair of placings. The inside gate is a plus. No. 4 Storm Rider needs to recapture his best. He’s slipped a touch, although his latest trial was sound. No. 10 Capital Legend is in the right vein of form. He’ll make his presence felt.

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.