Race 1: 1 Dragon Pride, 6 Speedstar, 10 Viva A La, 3 Keen Unity
Race 2: 1 E Legend, 3 Mister Dapper, 4 Dragon Star, 7 Courier Magic
Race 3: 8 Gold Tack, 7 Precise Express, 11 Jubilation, 2 Satirical Glory
Race 4: 4 Golden Rise, 5 Flying Wrote, 9 Spicy Gold, 6 Happy For All
Race 5: 7 Chill Chibi, 3 Moments In Time, 8 Outgate, 4 Flaming Rabbit
Race 6: 2 Fortune Warrior, 1 Ma Comet, 11 Happy Horse, 4 Happy Soul
Race 7: 9 Super Joy N Fun, 7 Amazing Victory, 6 Golden Empire, 11 California Deeply
Race 8: 5 Midori Glory, 4 Fast Serve, 9 Youthful Spirits, 2 Magic Control
Race 9: 11 Jumbo Legend, 6 Star Contact, 12 Big Red, 3 Never Too Soon
Race 1: Aster Handicap
No. 1 Dragon Pride gets back to Class 5, where he returned his most recent win. He can bounce back with a step down to the bottom grade. One to beat. No. 6 Speedstar is unlucky not to be a multiple winner already. He’s in super form and his pairing with Zac Purton is worth keeping a close eye on. He’s ready to run a big race and can do so here. No. 10 Viva A La finds a favorable inside draw. He ran well last start and isn’t expected to see his form slip. No. 3 Keen Unity is steadily finding his best. He’ll be in the finish once again.
Race 2: Bellflower Handicap
No. 1 E Legend makes a welcome return to Class 4, where has won multiple times before. He goes about his racing well and has been competitive in Class 3 this season. He has the class-edge to defeat this group. No. 3 Mister Dapper is hard to get a gauge on, although he does appear to flourish over this distance. Next in line. No. 4 Dragon Star is nothing short of consistent and he should get his opportunity racing on the speed from gate one. No. 7 Courier Magic can make his presence felt. He’ll be charging late. Don’t discount.
Race 3: Camellia Handicap
No. 8 Gold Tack is ever so close to winning his first race. He’s pieced together a few solid performances and deserves to breakthrough now. One to beat. No. 7 Precise Express is capable and he should receive a sweet run from gate one. He gets his opportunity here. No. 11 Jubilation slots in with a light weight. He’s proven himself in this grade and Keith Yeung has a good relationship with the galloper. No. 2 Satirical Glory is seeking back-to-back wins. He’s in the best form of his career now.
Race 4: Dianthus Handicap
No. 4 Golden Rise returns to Happy Valley. He has previously raced well at this course and Hugh Bowman’s pairing catches the eye. He’s in solid form and gets a super chance here, especially from gate four. No. 5 Flying Wrote is lightly raced, although he has shown a stack of potential already. He can keep improving for trainer Tony Cruz. No. 9 Spicy Gold is another who keeps improving. He did well to grab second last start and that effort bodes well for a contest such as this one. No. 6 Happy For All is next best.
Race 5: The EWO Challenge Trophy Handicap
No. 7 Chill Chibi has done his best racing at Happy Valley and he makes a favorable return to the city course this week. He still has some improvement to come and an in-form Danny Shum stable commands a heap of respect. No. 3 Moments In Time is the stablemate to Chill Chibi and one of three for Shum in the race. He’ll lead and give them all something to reel in. No. 8 Outgate is another who can press forward. He’s in solid form and gets an opportunity here. No. 4 Flaming Rabbit is next in line, he’s another possible pace angle.
Race 6: Heather Handicap
No. 2 Fortune Warrior is dangerous off this mark and his recent efforts have been superb. He’s ready to win again, especially in this grade with Zac Purton engaged. No. 1 Ma Comet clearly has ability and his most recent outing was strong when he finished second. He’s clearly much better suited to racing in Class 4. No. 11 Happy Horse is a two-time winner, both times this season. He’s found his groove and gets an opportunity this week, even from the wide draw. No. 4 Happy Soul won well two runs back. Next best.
Race 7: Thistle Handicap
No. 9 Super Joy N Fun is a serious horse on the improve and he can return to winning ways this week. He has the ability and is still learning his craft, although he will need to overcome an awkward gate. No. 7 Amazing Victory knows what it’s about and his recent efforts have been solid. Karis Teetan sticks with him and he gets his shot. No. 6 Golden Empire finished second last time out. He continues to perform. He’ll press forward early in a bid to overcome the gate. No. 11 California Deeply is next best.
Race 8: Violet Handicap
No. 5 Midori Glory was super impressive on debut. He won well that day and appears well placed to score again, especially from the middle gate. One they all must beat following his first-up effort. No. 4 Fast Serve returned in super condition last start following setbacks. He’s a two-time winner who can mount a serious challenge to this group. No. 9 Youthful Spirits is going to find the front and should do so with ease from barrier two. He’ll take reeling in. No. 2 Magic Control debuts. He’s worth keeping a close eye on.
Race 9: Chamomile Handicap
No. 11 Jumbo Legend needs plenty to go his way, however, his latest effort for fifth was solid. He is clearly ready to win again and his pairing with Vincent Ho enhances confidence. No. 6 Star Contact is regularly underestimated and the same should occur here, even while he’s in a super vein of form for trainer David Hayes. No. 12 Big Red was a deserving winner last start and he should receive his opportunity once more, even up in grade. He’s a nice horse. No. 3 Never Too Soon has quality and gets his chance.
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.