Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin the night of March 1

Racing at Sha Tin begins at 12 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.

Race 1: FU TAI HANDICAP

#9 Justifying will likely be all the rage on debut for Caspar Fownes after impressing in two local trials, as well as one in Australia and a jump-out. Each time, he has shown plenty of early speed to lead with ease, suggesting he could be an exciting prospect for the Fownes stable. He looks well-placed to kick off his career in winning style. #1 Grand Nova steps out for his second attempt back in Class 4 and warrants respect at this level. He tends to settle back before launching a late bid, as seen last start when closing in nicely for fourth over this distance at Happy Valley. #8 Jumbo Treasure was in need of the run on debut, racing greenly after early interference but still finishing a respectable fifth. He can take a step forward second-up with added race experience. #3 Summit Cheers was unsuited over 1200m last time and can be enigmatic, but he is much better suited returning to this course and distance, where his best form has come. He has placed in two recent starts here and remains in the mix.

Race 2: LUNG YAT HANDICAP

#8 Ho Ho Star aims for back-to-back wins and looks well-placed to do so after putting a few luckless runs behind him to break through in stylish fashion last time. #11 The Concentration is a tricky horse to catch, but he showed a return to form last time when closing in strongly for fifth behind Ho Ho Star. His only career win came when up on the pace, and those tactics may be reverted to here. #5 Speedy Smartie is edging closer to another win since dropping into Class 5, having run a meritorious third on his third attempt in the grade last time. #7 Flying Phantom has yet to get off the mark but has dropped to a low rating and has produced encouraging efforts since finding his way into Class 5.

Race 3: ON TING HANDICAP

#5 Fighting Machine charged home for second behind Never Peter Out last start after stepping away from another wide draw. He has the ability to turn the tables, but much will depend on how the race unfolds. #6 Never Peter Out has established himself as a star all-weather performer, winning his last three races over this course and distance. Securing four in a row is never easy, but the four-year-old doesn't look finished yet. #3 Perfect Team returns to his preferred surface, where he secured his second career win two starts ago before a respectable effort over 1800m at Happy Valley. Expect a sharper showing back on the all-weather. #10 Stormi has yet to make an impact in Hong Kong after four starts, but he switches to this surface for the first time, where he had a strong record overseas. He hasn't been beaten far in his recent races and could show improvement with the change in conditions.

Race 4: PO TIN HANDICAP

#7 Laserblanca trialed impressively multiple times leading into his debut over this course and distance two weeks ago. However, he had to work early from a wide barrier to find the lead and, despite trying hard in the straight, his run ended inside the 100m, finishing a game third by one length. He should take plenty of improvement from that effort and looks primed to win second-up. #3 Master Phoenix aims for back-to-back wins for David Eustace after breaking through at start four last time. He has since trialed well and appears to have more to offer. #2 Positive Smile was held up at a crucial stage of the race on his first attempt in Class 4 last time, finishing fourth, just over two lengths away. He recently trialed alongside Master Phoenix and looked equally as pleasing, suggesting he is in good order heading into this race. #1 Parterre has an outstanding record in this class, winning three of his five attempts at the level, making him difficult to ignore. His recent runs at the bottom of Class 3 have been competitive, and he should be a strong contender back in this grade.

Race 5: THE YAN OI TONG CUP (HANDICAP)

#12 Lucky Fionn is knocking on the door for a win. He was caught wide without cover last start over the mile but was only narrowly beaten into fourth. His prior 1400m form is particularly strong, with runner-up finishes behind Juneau Pride, Another World, and Sky Trust—form that reads well here. #10 Sight Dreamer made a strong impression on debut over 1200m, despite finishing third as a well-backed odds-on favorite. The step up to 1400m looks much more suitable second-up, and he appears ready to break through. #1 The Heir is having his third attempt in Class 4 and returns to a more suitable 1400m after an eye-catching effort from the back of the pack into fifth behind Magnifique over 1200m last time. #3 Master Trillion signaled he is nearing another victory with a close-up second to Gallant Epoch last time. He is trending in the right direction.

Race 6: SAM SHING HANDICAP

#8 Escape Route comes into this race off a good trial and was last seen closing into fourth behind Precision Goal from a wide draw in his first attempt on the all-weather—a run that was full of merit. #3 Precision Goal has been a rejuvenated galloper since joining the David Hayes stable. After climbing through the ratings in Class 5, he returned to Class 4 last time, where he took luck out of the equation from a wide draw, rolling forward to lead all the way for his first win at this level. #9 Lucky Banner is a pace influence resuming since early December. While he hasn't won in nearly two years, he has been consistent this season with four placings from five starts and gets his chance first-up. #1 Lucky Touch has been ultra-consistent, with back-to-back placings over this course and distance, including a last-start runner-up effort behind Precision Goal. He should be going close again.

Race 7: THE HONG KONG CLASSIC CUP

#11 Packing Angel keeps rising to the occasion, stringing together three impressive wins over 1400m. While the step up to 1800m appears a sharp rise in trip, his breeding suggests he will relish the extra ground, and he looks firmly on track to play a major role in the next two legs of the 4YO Classic Series. #8 Noisy Boy is shaping as a leading Derby contender, having won his last two starts impressively over the Derby trip—2000m last time and 2200m prior. The drop back to 1800m is a query, but with 42 days between runs and a sharp trial since, he remains a major player. #6 Stunning Peach needs to step up here if he is to confirm his Derby credentials. Though winless this preparation, he has been running well, and his last-start seventh in the Centenary Vase (G3) over this distance was much better than it reads, given his rearward position in a slowly run race. #1 My Wish was solid in winning the first leg of the series, the Classic Mile. While the extra trip is a query, his ultra-consistent profile keeps him firmly in contention.

Race 8: TAI HING HANDICAP

#5 Dancing Code has endured wide draws in his last two starts at this trip but has run well, including a flashing late run into third behind Green N White last time, which is solid form. #9 Lady's Choice was unsuited to the wet all-weather surface last start and was also used up early. Forced back to the trials since, he took out his heat well, and returning to turf in a suitable race, he is expected to produce a much-improved performance. #4 Young Champion has been mixing his form and proving costly, going under as a short-priced favorite last start when blinkers were applied and he raced ungenerously. #3 Ramadan makes his debut for the Mark Newnham stable, though this is his second Hong Kong start after failing to impress in the Hong Kong Mile (G1) in December.

Race 9: YAN TIN HANDICAP

#8 Definitive proved his surprise win two starts ago was no fluke, backing it up with a solid second-place finish. He takes an unknown step up in trip, but his on-pace racing style means he will be making his own luck near the front. #14 Midori Giant comes out of the same race as Family Jewel, where he too was unsuited by settling back in the field, yet still ran on well for seventh, beaten less than three lengths—a much better effort than it reads on paper. #2 Talents Ambition may have been ridden too close to the speed last time, as his best performances have come when allowed to settle back and finish strongly. The distance is a query, but as an untapped four-year-old, he remains intriguing and could have more to offer. #7 Pray For Mir is a pace influence from his inside gate, and while untested over this trip, he brings encouraging form over 1800m in recent starts, having finished runner-up to Californiatotality on two occasions recently.

Race 10: YAU OI HANDICAP

#5 Masterofmyuniverse stepped up to 1400m last time but was ridden cold from a wide draw, over-racing for much of the contest, which dulled his usual finishing effort. Dropping back in trip should suit, with a stronger tempo likely to play to his advantage. #4 Savvy Brilliant returns after being sidelined since early December. He has had some veterinary issues but has shown promise, winning two of his five local starts and finishing second to Swift Ascend, which is notable form. If sound, he can kick off strongly first-up. #2 Glory Elite is sure to give a good sight, as he usually does, and will make them all work to reel him in down the home straight. #8 Crimson Flash stretches beyond 1000m for the first time in his career, and now third-up in Hong Kong, he should be ready to make an impact.