3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Wednesday's (11 May) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #5 Jolly Forever, #3 Sky Gem, #6 Owners' Star, #2 Loyal Ambition
Race 2: #8 Blissful Star, #7 Red Impact, #3 Big Two, #1 Fast Pace
Race 3: #4 Nimble Nimbus, #5 Baby, #3 HK Dragon, #10 Faithful Trinity
Race 4: #8 Tuchel, #7 Winning Icey, #4 Starry Night, #9 Excellent Peers
Race 5: #10 Gorgeous Vitality, #1 Leslie, #3 Kowloon East Star, #7 Vamos
Race 6: #7 Yee Cheong Warrior, #2 Spicy Grill, #1 Bingo Bingo, #3 Kokushi Musou
Race 7: #5 Gift Of Lifeline, #6 Nearly Fine, #10 Darci Joy, #2 Tianchi Monster
Race 8: #11 Street Scream, #8 Never Too Soon, #10 Stormtrouper, #4 Seizing The Moment
Race 9: #2 Lucky Sweynesse, #3 Gluck Racer, #11 Exuberant, #9 Wild West Wing 

Race 1: Tan Shan River Handicap 

#5 Jolly Forever is competitive in his spot over this course and distance. He should bounce back to form here getting back out over his preferred trip. #3 Sky Gem knows what it's all about over this track and distance. Expect he makes a mid-race move and from there he should take running down. #6 Owners' Star steps away favourably from the inside draw. He gets his chance. #2 Loyal Ambition is tracking towards a first win in town. He has claims and does appear suited over this distance. 

Race 2: Tai Shing Stream Handicap (1st Section)

#8 Blissful Star is closing in on a first win. He's done well across six starts in town and any improvement off his latest effort has him pegged as a leading contender here. #7 Red Impact doesn't win out of turn. Still, he's ultra-consistent and the inside draw should afford him the dream run throughout. #3 Big Two is looking to snap a hat-trick of second placings. He gets Zac Purton up again and gate one has him favoured. #1 Fast Pace knows what it's all about. He's improving back in Class 4 and Joao Moreira's booking gives him his chance, especially from gate six. 

Race 3: Tai Shing Stream Handicap (2nd Section) 

#4 Nimble Nimbus is progressing well as a one-time winner already this term. He's regularly in the frame and with a few favours he can take this contest out. Strong booking of Lyle Hewitson who is currently riding in superb form with eight wins from the last five meetings. #5 Baby is racing well and comes into this following consecutive third placings. He's in with a shout from the good gate. #3 HK Dragon needs luck from the tail of the field. Still, if he gets it, his turn-of-foot is strong enough to roll over this group. #10 Faithful Trinity will look the winner at some stage out in front. Next best. 

Race 4: Shan Pui River Handicap (2nd Section) 

#8 Tuchel steps out on debut for trainer John Size. He's moved well in his trials and Size's record with debutants commands a stack of respect. He steps away favourably from gate one with Luke Currie aboard – who on Wednesday – tallied a double with Size. #7 Winning Icey has done well across two starts. He can take another step forward here. #4 Starry Night mixes his form but clearly has the necessary ability. He gets his opportunity. #9 Excellent Peers is racing well and is expected to bounce back from last start.

Race 5: Nam Chung River Handicap 

#10 Gorgeous Vitality has hit the ground running across five starts in Hong Kong, narrowly missing by under a length at his latest outing. Expect he can take another step forward and win this one. #1 Leslie is also shaping as a bourgeoning talent with four runs under his belt, including three placings. #3 Kowloon East Star is a winner already and he steps away favourably from gate four. He can turn his form around. #7 Vamos flashed into second two starts ago. He has a strong finish and gets his chance here to bounce back. 

Race 6: Shan Pui River Handicap (1st Section) 

#7 Yee Cheong Warrior closed off from the tail of the field last start. He did well that day and looks well placed to improve again following that effort. Strong booking of Luke Currie bears close watching for trainer David Hall as the pair had a fair bit of success before Hall's arrival in Hong Kong. #2 Spicy Grill is racing well. He's in close to career-best form. #1 Bingo Bingo is competitive in his spot. He can figure. #3 Kokushi Musou won well two starts ago. Any return to that level holds him in good stead.

Race 7: Lam Tsuen River Handicap 

#5 Gift Of Lifeline has returned to a competitive mark. He narrowly missed by a length last start and any improvement off that has him winning this one. Ruan Maia sticks aboard and he gets his chance to nail an overdue win, especially off the right rating. #6 Nearly Fine is racing well. He slots in light and looks well placed as he aims for back-to-back wins. #10 Darci Joy has no weight on his back. His best could have him in the frame here. #2 Tianchi Monster has the class-edge. He finds a suitable contest.

Race 8: Kam Tin River Handicap (1st Section) 

#11 Street Scream has no weight on his back as he bids for back-to-back wins. He features prominently here even with the class-rise. He's the in-form runner of the race who can take advantage of a lowly impost. #8 Never Too Soon turned in a solid effort for third last time out. He has the ability and he's closing in on a first win in town. Don't discount. #10 Stormtrouper is looking to snap a hat-trick of runner-up efforts. He has claims with no weight on his back. #4 Seizing The Moment is after back-to-back wins. The wide gate isn't ideal.

Race 9: Kam Tin River Handicap (2nd Section) 

#2 Lucky Sweynesse is chasing a fourth win to remain unbeaten in Hong Kong. He's doing very, very well and not even the big weight looks like it can stop him here. #3 Gluck Racer has had his runs spaced. Still, he has the class and when he's sound he's a serious threat. #11 Exuberant slots in light and gets his chance here. #9 Wild West Wing knows what to do. He can take advantage of his lowly weight and solid draw for Vagner Borges and John Size.