3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Wednesday's (5 Jan) fixture at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #3 Smiling City, #8 Bulletproof, #1 A La King, #5 Super Red Dragon
Race 2: #5 Sight Hero, #2 Rewarding Together, #8 Mega Bonus, #6 Charming Steed
Race 3: #2 Toronado Phantom, #10 Happy Gathering, #1 My Ecstatic, #3 Xponential
Race 4: #5 Savvy Nine, #6 Zebrowski, #3 Fast Most Furious, #1 Ka Ying Star
Race 5: #9 Chater Pins, #3 Dr Winning, #11 Viva Popcorn, #2 Viva Hunter
Race 6: #1 Decisive Twelve, #6 A Smile Like Yours, #3 Astrologer, #4 Stock Legend
Race 7: #5 California Rad, #3 Kurpany, #8 Igniting, #9 Shining Gem
Race 8: #6 Excellent Chariot, #8 Special M, #2 Jolly Good Heart, #4 You'remyeverything
Race 9: #9 Cinquante Cinq, #2 Champion Dragon, #3 Savvy Kingman, #1 Tianchi Monster 

Race 1: Paterson Handicap (2nd Section) 

#3 Smiling City is competitive in this grade. He's race-fit and ready to win now; gate two gives him his chance under the in-form Blake Shinn. #8 Bulletproof pairs favourably with Karis Teetan. Gate four helps him and he rates as a leading player off the back of a strong course and distance win last term. #1 A La King is a two-time winner in this grade. He receives a welcome step back to Class 4. Expect sharp improvement. #5 Super Red Dragon is better than his record suggests. Keep safe. 

Race 2: Kingston Handicap (1st Section) 

#5 Sight Hero is in career-best form. He's unlucky not to be at least a two-time winner from his past three starts. Expect another big performance from him here, especially with Karis Teetan hopping up. #2 Rewarding Together has his fair share of ability. He draws well and still hasn't shown his best in Hong Kong. #8 Mega Bonus is chasing back-to-back wins. He needs to overcome the wide ally. #6 Charming Steed has made an immediate impact in Hong Kong. He lacks experience but is coming to hand very, very quickly. 

Race 3: Kingston Handicap (2nd Section) 

#2 Toronado Phantom looked red-hot in his latest trial on the dirt. He steps back in trip here which looks a positive and his pairing with Joao Moreira is ideal. #10 Happy Gathering is competitive in his spot. The light weight suits and it wouldn't surprise to see him bounce back to winning ways. #1 My Ecstatic appears to have found his mark. Still, Class 4 is a suitable grade for him and the inside gate favours him. #3 Xponential is nothing short of consistent. He has claims. 

Race 4: G3 January Cup Handicap 

#5 Savvy Nine is after back-to-back wins in the race. He slots in light – as does the majority of the field – but he should be ready and race-fit to perform at his optimum. Suspect he's been set for this race from a long way out. #6 Zebrowski is coming to hand very quickly in Hong Kong. He's a one-time winner already whose ascent up the handicap looks far from over. #3 Fast Most Furious is in solid form. He draws favourably for this contest. #1 Ka Ying Star is the class runner of the field. Expect he'll look the winner at some stage. 

Race 5: Paterson Handicap (1st Section) 

#9 Chater Pins is closing in on a first win. The wide gate makes life a little tricky but if he can offset this early on then he should get his chance. His run two starts ago over the course and distance was impressive. #3 Dr Winning is after back-to-back wins. The inside gate suits and he remains in this grade which is a big plus. #11 Viva Popcorn closed nicely last time out. Joao Moreira sticks aboard and he warrants respect. #2 Viva Hunter is next best. He won well last start and is capable of performing at a similar level once more. 

Race 6: Cleveland Handicap (1st Section) 

#1 Decisive Twelve is a seriously talented sprinter. The return to six furlongs is a big positive for him here. Slight concern with top weight but he has a significant class edge on a number of these. #6 A Smile Like Yours is in sublime form. This is another significant test but he already has a four wins this season and two from his last two starts. #3 Astrologer surprised two starts ago at 133/1. He has his fair share of ability. #4 Stock Legend draws well and looks ready to bounce back. 

Race 7: Causeway Handicap 

#5 California Rad is better than his record suggests. He's been running well in strong races and with even luck this contest looks suitable. His from around Trillion Win, Fantastic Way and Fantastic Treasure reads well for this. #3 Kurpany is a smart racer in his spot, especially over this course and distance. #8 Igniting is after back-to-back wins. Expect he rolls forward and gets his chance. #9 Shining Gem has ability. He'll be finishing fast from out wide under Derek Leung. He's the value runner of the race and might be worth an each way specking. 

Race 8: Cleveland Handicap (2nd Section) 

#6 Excellent Chariot was awfully unlucky last start. Suspect he can put his best foot forward here and with a clean run get the job done. Strong booking of Karis Teetan signals intent. #8 Special M has his fair share of ability. Expect he can bounce back here. His win two starts ago was strong. #2 Jolly Good Heart should roll forward and find the front. He'll look the winner for a long way. #4 You'remyeverything scored a sublime win on debut in Hong Kong. Still, he's raced fairly since then and Joao Moreira's booking commands respect here. 

Race 9: Great George Handicap 

#9 Cinquante Cinq couldn't get a crack at them from out wide first-up. Suspect he can use the inside gate to his advantage here and bounce back from that poor showing. He's better than that and Jerry Chau's booking commands respect. #2 Champion Dragon is closing in on a first win. He's done well since his arrival in Hong Kong. #3 Savvy Kingman will roll forward and make a play for this contest. He's a tough on-pacer who should run this field along. #1 Tianchi Monster stays in Class 3. He has top weight to deal with but Joao Moreira's retention is ideal.