Hong Kong: Selections for the night of Feb. 22

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

Race 1: CITI WEALTH HANDICAP

#7 Shamus Storm made a lasting impression on debut over this course and distance in late December, overcoming a wide barrier to finish a strong second, beaten two lengths. Though he missed a run due to a slight setback, he stayed on well in a recent trial and looks ready to go. #2 Etalon Or has been frustratingly winless from six attempts but has never been beaten by more than a neck this season. He is knocking on the door and looks set to go close to finally shedding his maiden tag. #6 Dreaming Winner is trending in the right direction. First-up, he had no luck when caught wide without cover, but he improved significantly second-up, drawing an inside gate and closing well into second. The step up to 1400m looks suitable. #4 Flying Wrote is an interesting runner, as with little speed engaged on paper, he may find himself securing an uncontested lead.

Race 2: CITI PRIVATE BANK HANDICAP

#2 Bottomuptogether can follow up on his latest win over this trip at Happy Valley, his first success of the season after mixing distances but running consistently in four starts prior. He has trialed very well between runs and will prove hard to get past in the concluding stages. #1 Magic Control returns to his preferred Sha Tin straight course after a couple of solid runs over 1200m, including a last-start third to Lucky With You in a Class 1 contest. He concedes weight to his rivals, but his standout form justifies that. #7 Stellar Express doesn't win out of turn but should enjoy a soft run just off the pace. He also gets a weight swing in his favour against Bottomuptogether after closing well for second behind him last start, beaten half a length. #3 Full Credit has done all his racing over 1200m so far, but his tactical versatility should work to his advantage in a field where plenty are expected to press forward and set up a genuine tempo.

Race 3: CITIGOLD PRIVATE CLIENT HANDICAP

#8 South Star made an impressive debut over this track and trip late last month, drawing wide and settling back before charging home late to finish four lengths away in fifth. He has shown good gate speed in trials, including his most recent hit-out, so we may see him position closer second-up. #2 Sky Jewellery was a horror watch for those who took the short odds last time, as he had to overcome barrier 11 at Happy Valley and found himself trapped in traffic for most of the home straight. He only got clear once the race was all but over, finishing under two lengths away in fourth. The switch to Sha Tin and the rise to 1400m look key to his chances of atoning. #7 Lucky Sam Gor ran a similar race on debut, settling back before making up good late ground into fifth—a meritorious effort given the on-pace-dominated race shape. #3 Harold Win is an interesting runner as he returns to Class 4, with his Class 3 form being solid despite unkind barrier draws. His ability over 1400m remains untested, but he will be up on the pace and out of trouble, giving himself every chance.

Race 4: CITIGOLD HANDICAP

#2 Alluring Laos looks ready for 1200m after three solid runs over the minimum trip. He was last seen closing into fifth after a fair start, finishing just over two lengths behind Magnifique—a form line that has since been franked with Magnifique winning again last week. Prior to that, he had shown good gate speed, so expect him to be handier with a better jump. #8 Crossborderpegasus will be all the rage on debut for the John Size stable, having impressed at the trials multiple times. The horse he defeated in his sole Australian trial came out and won at Moonee Valley on debut, adding further merit to his credentials. Well prepared with eight trials, he looks ready to go. #12 Bienvenue is itching to break his duck after back-to-back second-place finishes since the application of blinkers. #10 With a Smile had no luck on debut, held up for much of the home straight, so his one-and-a-half-length beaten margin into sixth has more merit than it reads on paper.

Race 5: QUEEN'S SILVER JUBILEE CUP (G1)

#1 Ka Ying Rising aims to extend his winning streak to 10 and complete a hat-trick of Group 1 victories as he steps into uncharted waters, tackling 1400m for the first time in his glittering career. He also undergoes a jockey change, with Karis Teetan taking the reins as Zac Purton remains sidelined through injury. Teetan reunites with David Hayes' sprinting sensation, having previously guided him to victory in the Sha Tin Vase (G3) last June. #4 Helios Express looms as the biggest danger, having already proven himself up to 1800m. This will be his first time stepping up in trip this season after four runs over 1200m, where he has placed each time behind Ka Ying Rising. #5 Howdeepisyourlove will run his usual race, settling back early before finishing strongly. While better suited to 1200m, he remains in the mix. #3 Beauty Eternal has been disappointing but will be well served returning to 1400m, where he is a three-time winner from five attempts.

Race 6: CITI ULTIMA HANDICAP

#3 Mighty Strength wore blinkers for the first time last start and was ridden quietly from a wide draw before doing his best work late, closing into third. He has since trialed impressively and looks poised to rebound for a second career win in what shapes as one of the more open races of the day. #2 Matsu Victor was in fine form prior to a tough wide run without cover last time, so with better luck in running, he is expected to take a step forward. #8 Sunday's Serenade is on the verge of a win, having placed in three of his last five starts, including back-to-back runner-up finishes since stepping up to the mile. #5 Oriental Smoke cannot be overlooked in Class 4. Since returning to this grade four starts ago, he has been hindered by outside draws, which have worked against him. However, he showed a return to form last start when pressing forward from out wide and battling on well for third, beaten less than two lengths.

Race 7: HONG KONG GOLD CUP (G1)

#1 Voyage Bubble tackles 2000m for just the third time in his career, a distance over which he claimed Hong Kong's most prestigious race, the Hong Kong Derby, and fought tooth and nail with superstar Romantic Warrior in this event last year. His greatest asset is his tactical speed, allowing him to secure favorable on-pace positions, while many of his key rivals tend to find trouble trying to run him down. #2 Galaxy Patch has the talent to turn the tables on Voyage Bubble, as he showed four starts ago, but he cannot afford to give him too much ground when the race begins to unfold. That has been the case in their three subsequent clashes, where he has been left with too much to do. #4 Ensued resumed with a promising third over 1800m last time and has been a strong second-up performer, winning two from three. He will relish stepping up to 2000m. #3 Chancheng Glory is largely unexposed over this trip, with his only attempt coming in last season's Derby, where he faded in a fast-run race. However, his consistent form should hold him in good stead here.

Race 8: CITI WEALTH ADVISORY SERVICES HANDICAP

#8 Juneau Pride lost no admirers on his first run in Class 3 last start, beaten by Light Years Charm, a horse on the rise. John Size's three-year-old finds a winnable race to bounce back to winning ways. #5 Joy of Spring may need this run, having been off the scene since July last year, but he found career-best form at the end of last season, winning two in a row after a tactical switch saw him ridden closer to the pace. One to watch. #9 Victory Sky was an eye-catcher last time, closing in fast from a wide barrier to finish fourth, not beaten far. He has shown he can settle much closer in the past, which would only enhance his chances, and his form around Divano reads well. #14 Mr Energia steps up to Class 3 after an impressive last-to-first win in Class 4 from the widest draw. He remains relatively unexposed, and the weight relief plays in his favor.

Race 9: CITI INSURANCE SERVICES HANDICAP

#3 Beauty Crescent remains a long-standing maiden after 26 local attempts but has some strong form behind him, including placings against Silvery Breeze, Markwin, and Johannes Brahms in recent starts. That form stands out on paper, and he shapes as a knockout chance at odds. #10 Yuen Long Elite clearly relished the application of blinkers last start, drawing clear impressively by three lengths to post his second career win at his eighth attempt. He rises in class in a competitive race but looks to have more to offer. #11 Brilliant Express had always threatened to win a race, and he finally did so last start at his seventh attempt. He now steps into Class 3, where the drop in weight will be in his favor. #12 Solid Win made his Class 3 debut last time and was impressive, closing fast for fourth behind Packing Angel—strong form lines—finishing three and a half lengths away.

Race 10: CITI INVESTMENT SERVICES HANDICAP

#8 Lifeline Express gets his chance to break through for a well-overdue win as he returns to Sha Tin on the seven-day turnaround. He was narrowly denied victory last week, beaten by a head, and as long as he stays out of trouble—which hasn't always been the case—he will be hard to hold out. #14 Yee Cheong Glory was dominant on debut, drawing clear by over two lengths in Class 4. This is a tougher test, but he clearly looks to have more to offer and can measure up despite the rise in grade. #2 Super Legends is chasing a hat-trick of wins and, unlike Lifeline Express, who will likely be closing from behind, he will be advantaged up on the pace, as demonstrated in his last two victories when stalking the speed. #1 Young Superstar should roll forward and take up his customary role as the pacemaker. If his last-start fading 10th in a fast-run race is overlooked, he has what it takes to rebound with a more economical run in transit.