Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley March 12

Racing at Happy Valley begins at 6:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.

Race 1: WAGLAN ISLAND HANDICAP

#3 Modest Gentleman returns to a course and distance where he thrives, and his first-up run on the all-weather over 1200m was full of promise, checking in a close runner-up. On his fourth attempt back in Class 5, he is poised to bounce back with another win. #11 Diamond Soars relishes this course and distance and is a clear pace influence in the race, ensuring he will give a bold sight up front. #4 So Treasure is an intriguing runner as he steps into Class 5 for the first time while also making his stable debut for Douglas Whyte. He has trialed nicely for the switch and is ready for improvement with more in his favor here. #1 Crystal Powerful has been honest in Class 4 this season and will relish a return to Class 5, where he is a one-time winner from three attempts, though the step back to 1000m is the query.

Race 2: SOKO ISLANDS HANDICAP

#10 Pochettino ran his best race yet last time, and there was strong market support on that occasion to suggest further improvement was expected. He crossed two lengths behind in third over 1400m at Sha Tin, and he looks set to continue on his upward trend. #6 Good Luck Win has been consistent since surprising at long odds with a win four starts ago, backing it up with three subsequent third-place finishes. He looks well-placed to pick up another check. #1 Forever Glorious can be followed on the class drop as he returns to Class 4. His recent form has been solid, including a nose second to Price Alex at this course and trip four runs back. #8 To Infinity is hard to catch but has the ability to surprise here if you overlook his recent runs where conditions were against him. It was only four starts ago that he won a race of similar nature.

Race 3: PENG CHAU HANDICAP

#4 Club Ace is improving with racing for the John Size stable and put the writing on the wall fourth-up last time from barrier 10, where he sat handy and was game late into third. #1 Yee Cheong Spirit was too far back in the run last time when seventh and found some traffic at the 200m, but his prior form suggests he has what it takes to bounce back to winning ways. #2 Motoman has improved with more racing and has now put together two encouraging third-place finishes after winning over Yee Cheong Spirit three runs back. #7 Great Spirit showed good form in his first attempt at the city circuit and, with a gear change last start, checked in a close-up third after being held up for some time in the latter stages. If he can stay out of trouble, he is right in the mix.

Race 4: PENG CHAU HANDICAP

#2 Bowser looks the one to beat after his luckless second-place finish to Harmony N Home last week, where he was held up for some time in the concluding stages before dashing strongly late to miss by just half a length. #8 Glory Cloud is also on the quick turnaround after drawing wide, settling rearward, and closing off strongly into seventh behind Dragon Four Seas. His prior form suggests he has what it takes to position closer, which will only enhance his chances. #4 Golden Friendship lines up for his third career start, and the three-year-old has shown promise in two encouraging efforts to date. He can take another step forward here. #5 Telecom Dragon should appreciate a return to this trip after a solid effort over 1400m at Sha Tin last time, where he settled further back than usual before winding up late into fourth. His prior form at this distance looks strong enough to make him a leading contender.

Race 5: THE IRELAND TROPHY (HANDICAP)

#4 The Azure was tightened for room early last time, forcing him to settle further back than usual. He made good late headway into sixth, beaten two and a half lengths, so there was still plenty of merit to his run. This is one of the more competitive races on the card, but he can bounce back. #11 Confringo has turned his form around since joining Cody Mo and now returns to Class 4 after breaking through for his maiden win at the top of Class 5 last time. #1 Viva Graciousness can revert to his front-running tactics here, which puts him in good stead to be hard to peg back late, especially dropping back into Class 4 after an excusable Class 3 run last time. #8 Amazing Award stepped up to 1800m last start and didn’t disgrace, settling at the back of the pack before a fast-finishing fourth. Returning to his pet distance is key to his chances.

Race 6: PENG CHAU HANDICAP

#7 Mr Cool has been catching the eye in his barrier trials leading up to his debut, and the Frankie Lor-trained three-year-old gives the impression he will be in with a winning chance first-up. #1 Fortune Whiskey was crowded for room in the early stages last time, costing him crucial ground before doing his best work late into sixth, beaten only narrowly. His form has improved significantly since joining David Eustace, and he may still have ratings points up his sleeve. #2 Giant Leap failed to measure up in Class 3, so he gets an opportunity to recapture some of his better form returning to Class 4. #9 Glory B broke his maiden in commendable fashion last time and has since won a trial between runs in strong style. He has held his form and should prove competitive again.

Race 7: CHEUNG CHAU HANDICAP

#6 King of Fighters looks set to get the race run to suit, having shown last start that he can settle midfield and pounce late when finishing a strong second to Beauty Destiny. That was his third local start and his best run yet, and he can take another leap forward here. #11 Circuit Jolly is a handy three-year-old with more to come, having shown marked improvement since the blinkers were applied two starts ago before breaking through for his first Class 4 win last time. This is tougher, but on a light weight, he is going to give a sight. #2 Eason is on the quick backup after a fair fifth, but he too will enjoy a good tempo, allowing him to make his presence felt late. #8 Blazing Wind finds this race easier than what he contested at Sha Tin last start and can show improvement on that ninth-place finish.

Race 8: CHEUNG CHAU HANDICAP

#3 Chateauneuf returns to Happy Valley after two encouraging runs at Sha Tin, including a close third behind The Boom Box two starts back—a form line that reads well here. He has shown the ability to race prominently in the past, including when settling third in the run and going down narrowly to Storming Dragon four starts ago. #4 Lucky Eight has endured a tough run of barrier draws but has remained consistent, knocking on the door for a second win this term. #5 Beauty Infinity capitalized on an inside draw second-up when beaten just a nose by Romantic Son last week, suggesting he is ready to break through in the grade soon. #2 California Touch can show second-up improvement after fading late into fifth behind Aurora Lady when leading at a strong tempo first-up, eventually beaten just over one and a half lengths.

Race 9: AP LEI CHAU HANDICAP

#10 Beauty Alliance is on the seven-day turnaround after winning by over two lengths at this course and distance. With little speed engaged on paper and key rivals likely to settle behind him, he gets a prime opportunity to map similarly to last week and prove hard to beat again. #8 Charity Gain has been a model of consistency for the David Eustace camp. Chasing back-to-back wins, he lost no admirers when rising to Class 3 last start, flashing home late from barrier 11 into second place. #9 Jumbo Legend tries 1800m for the first time, and his first-up run over 1650m showed he is back in good order, closing in nicely for fourth behind Soleil Fighter. #4 Star Mac will likely settle back in running and make his usual late dash inside the final 300m.