Hong Kong Wednesday morning: Picks, analysis, free PPs

Hong Kong racing from Happy Valley is Wednesday morning at 6:40 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: 8 Good View Glory, 9 Multimore, 1 King Invincible, 5 Happy Tango

Race 2: 6 Sharpen Bright, 1 Intrepid Winner, 5 Reach Goal, 2 Billionaire Secret

Race 3: 2 Ace Power, 9 Gimme Five, 11 Dan Attack, 12 Modest Gentleman

Race 4: 7 So Treasure, 8 Sea Sapphire, 1 E Universe, 5 Smashing Express

Race 5: 9 Can’t Go Wong, 2 Daring Pursuit, 5 Turin Warrior, No. 7 Kasa Papa

Race 6: 3 Sky Trust, 4 Atomic Beauty, 7 Gallant Crown, 2 I Can

Race 7: 1 Frantanck, 10 Helene Warrior, 11 Chain Of Gold, 3 Lovero

Race 8: 3 Lady’s Choice, 8 Act of Faith, 6 Righteous Arion, 1 Kaholo Angel

Race 9: 2 Wings Of War, 1 Sugar Sugar, 3 Joyful Hunter, 9 Our Lucky Glory

Race 1: Stanley Gap Handicap

No. 8 Good View Glory appears to have overcome his minor setback. He’s well placed here from gate one, which ensures his every possible chance. One to beat. No. 9 Multimore is a pace angle. He can run this group along and give them something to catch. No. 1 King Invincible has shown potential but is proving awfully hard to catch. He mixes his form, although he did go close two runs back in this grade. No. 5 Happy Tango is another who can roll forward for his opportunity. Next in line.

Race 2: Tai Tam Gap Handicap

No. 6 Sharpen Bright has the form and runs on the board over this distance. He was a winner over the track and trip three starts ago, delivering a performance that bodes well for this contest. One to beat. No. 1 Intrepid Winner rarely runs poorly. He goes about his racing well and gets his chance here, especially down in grade. No. 5 Reach Goal thrives over these distances. He can bounce back after a lackluster showing last start. No. 2 Billionaire Secret is next in line. Zac Purton hops up.

Race 3: Mount Nicholson Handicap

No. 2 Ace Power is seeking back-to-back wins. He’s in super form and remains in Class 4 after his breakthrough success at the start of May. One to beat. No. 9 Gimme Five is lightly raced but improving. He has more ability to come and should be able to step up again, which he’ll need to do if he wants to contend. No. 11 Dan Attack can bounce back. His most recent effort was a form blip and his best can see him prove competitive. No. 12 Modest Gentleman rises in grade as he goes for consecutive wins. Next best.

Race 4: Mount Nicholson Handicap

No. 7 So Treasure is ever so close to a first win. He comes into this after two near misses, and the inside draw will afford him the right run. Hard to beat. No. 8 Sea Sapphire gets a handy seven pounds taken off his back with the apprentice up. He’s in the right vein of form and should prove competitive again. No. 1 E Universe was an impressive winner two starts ago. He’ll roll forward under Zac Purton and give this group something to chase. No. 5 Smashing Express makes his debut. He’s worth keeping a close eye on.

Race 5: The Cricket Club Valley Stakes Handicap

No. 9 Can’t Go Wong is racing in career-best form and his good fortune can continue this week. He’s drawn ideally and from there should get every opportunity to settle where he pleases. Hard to beat. No. 2 Daring Pursuit is a serious horse, although he has had his fair share of issues. He appears ready to win again with Hugh Bowman up. No. 5 Turin Warrior deserves to be more than a one-time winner. He has claims. No. 7 Kasa Papa is closing in on a first win in Hong Kong. Don’t discount.

Race 6: Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap

No. 3 Sky Trust is aiming for back-to-back wins. He has a stack more rating points up his sleeve and this contest is more than winnable for him, especially with Hugh Bowman retaining the ride. One to beat. No. 4 Atomic Beauty is racing well and continues to raise the bar. He’s in a vein of form that should see him challenge this group. No. 7 Gallant Crown gets a favorable seven pounds removed with the apprentice up. No. 2 I Can went close last time and there’s no reason to suggest he can’t be competitive again.

Race 7: Shouson Hill Handicap

No. 1 Frantanck has gate one and can use this to his advantage by leading. He’s tough to get past at times, twice proving this with a pair of impressive triumphs this season. He’ll take some catching this week. No. 10 Helene Warrior continues to improve and he’s favored under the light weight. He can take another forward step this week. No. 11 Chain Of Gold pairs favorably with Zac Purton. He’s another who continues to make significant headway. No. 3 Lovero is seeking back-to-back wins. Next best.

Race 8: Violet Hill Handicap

No. 3 Lady’s Choice deserves another win and he can easily collect it here. The inside gate is ideal and an in-form Karis Teetan gets along with this galloper, who has finished second in both of his last two outings. No. 8 Act Of Faith is a winner this term and has shown more in the grade below, although he is consistent and can make good use of the draw. No. 6 Righteous Arion comes into this after an impressive victory. He gets another chance. No. 1 Kaholo Angel has a bit of class. Must respect.

Race 9: Violet Hill Handicap

No. 2 Wings Of War has found his groove now after scoring an overdue first win in Hong Kong. He can win again if he manages to reproduce that effort. No. 1 Sugar Sugar has the gate to overcome, however, he does know how to win over this course and distance. No. 3 Joyful Hunter has seen his form slip after setting the track alight early throughout his career. He returns after a decent break and can make his presence felt. No. 9 Our Lucky Glory can improve after that first effort last start in Class 3. Next best.

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.