Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley, Oct. 16

Racing at Happy Valley begins at 7:05 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.

Race 1: SUCCESS HANDICAP

#3 Falcon Court made his Class 5 debut last start from the widest barrier (12) and was ridden back, finishing 10th, but it was a better run than it reads. Coming into barrier 1 here should allow him to race handier, and some of his previous Class 4 runs suggest he has the ability to win this. #1 Hero Star drops back into Class 5, where he has one win from two starts. With Hugh Bowman taking the reins, he poses a serious threat. #5 Speedy Chariot is ready to win since making the class drop; however, the transition from barrier 1 to 12 looks awkward. Still, with Zac Purton in the saddle, he has the right jockey to navigate him. #12 Wind Speeder will benefit from a hot tempo, and his last-start effort was commendable, finishing strongly in sixth.

Race 2: SWIFTY HANDICAP

#1 Ma Comet looks ready to break through after a solid third-place finish first-up, where he raced wide without cover but still finished less than a length behind the winner. His trial win in between runs was particularly eye-catching, and despite drawing barrier 10, Zac Purton should position him well to ensure he gets a favorable run. #7 Roaring Bebe has been trialing well leading into this race and should enjoy a sweet run under Brenton Avdulla from barrier 3. #11 Happy Horse returns to Happy Valley, where he is more suited, after a respectable effort at Sha Tin. Although his Class 4 record is a concern, his early speed should keep him in contention. #5 Silver Spurs appears to have trained on during the off-season, as his trial performances showed improvement, and from barrier 1, he will have every chance to find the necessary luck in running.

Race 3: RACING SPIRIT HANDICAP

#2 Highland Rahy should find the switch to Happy Valley beneficial, having produced solid performances in his first two runs this preparation at Sha Tin. He appears ready to take another step forward. #8 Foremost Teddy gets another opportunity here after being defeated as the odds-on favorite last start. Zac Purton retains the ride, which is a positive sign. #6 Can't Go Wong can improve on his first-up effort, where he was held up for a considerable time in the straight. #4 Sure Joyful, drawn in barrier 1, is well-placed to gain an ideal run, improving his chances in what shapes up to be a highly competitive race.

Race 4: SPEEDY HANDICAP (Section 2)

#5 Embraces encountered a challenging race last time, finishing less than three lengths behind in seventh place. With Zac Purton taking over the reins and drawing barrier 4, the Jamie Richards-trained four-year-old looks ready to break through. #11 Shinkansen benefits from barrier 1, from where an ideal run just off the pace beckons. His last-start second showed promise. #6 Glory Cloud is ready to win, although barrier 12 will prove tricky. The partnership of Hugh Bowman and Caspar Fownes is always one to respect. #3 Joy Coming steps into this race third-up. Despite a fading 10th last start, he had excuses in running and has the ability to improve here.

Race 5: SPEEDY HANDICAP (Section 1)

#2 Perfect General secured his first win at his second start last month, and the form held up strongly after the runner-up, Chateauneuf, scored a win in a higher class last week. He appears to be on the rise and should progress beyond Class 4 in due course. #5 Top Scorer makes his Happy Valley debut, while his form at Sha Tin reads well here. Jumping from barrier 3 will also strengthen his chances. #4 Storming Dragon, though overbet first-up, ran a commendable race into third and should offer better value this time, and a win seems imminent. #3 Spicy Gold is chasing a hat-trick of wins for the Mark Newnham stable, but he will need a bit of luck early from a tricky draw, though he remains in good form.

Race 6: THE LONGINES CUP (HANDICAP)

#6 Healthy Healthy looks poised to return to winning ways third-up. Last time, from a wide draw, he was ridden conservatively but finished strongly into fourth. If positioned closer to the speed as he has in the past, he should be tough to beat. #11 Victor the Rapid had just two runs last season, placing third on debut before a no-show from a poor barrier second-up. His trial win at Happy Valley two trials ago was eye-catching, and a low gate here should serve him well. #3 Prawns Eleven makes his Happy Valley debut and has been running competitively against stronger opposition at Sha Tin, which makes him a contender in this field. #4 Beauty Infinity showed promise during his debut season and, while he may need this run first-up, it wouldn't be surprising to see him figure in the finish.

Race 7: SONGS OF VICTORY HANDICAP

#2 Simply Maverick just missed out on victory first-up, finishing second to Star Contact, who franked that form with another strong showing last week. He's maintained his fitness with a quiet trial since and, in a competitive field, looks to be a key player. #3 Frantanck should get a soft lead in this race, which could set him up well to finally secure his first Happy Valley win on his fifth attempt. #4 Chain of Gold has been the model of consistency, though his challenge remains his tendency to settle too far back in the field. #7 The Heir is an intriguing runner switching to Happy Valley for the first time after racing solely at Sha Tin, where he has shown ability without winning.

Race 8: FLYING HANDICAP

#6 Gustosisimo only had two starts last season and performed reasonably well on each occasion, though his second-up run came with a built-in excuse due to mucus in the trachea. Now under the care of Tony Cruz, he seems to have come on over the off-season, and improvement is expected. #5 Kyrus Dragon broke through for his first local win in his final run of last season. He remains a horse with further potential, and Zac Purton taking the ride from barrier 2 stands him as a key contender. #7 Sweet Briar has struggled to win in Class 3 from 11 starts in the grade without success, but his chances are boosted by drawing barrier 1. #8 Young Arrow continues to make progress with each run in Hong Kong after arriving from Singapore, and his last-start third to Brave Star suggests he's trending in the right direction for this contest.