Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley March 19

Racing at Happy Valley begins at 6:35 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.

Race 1: BOWRINGTON HANDICAP

#4 California Moxie adopted a change of tactics over 2200m last start, leading at a strong tempo. He was found wanting in the home straight but stuck on well to hold fourth. He can improve on that with a better-timed ride on his second attempt in Class 5. #8 Windicator Family has drawn outside barriers in both Class 5 starts, yet has closed off strongly into fourth on each occasion. A mid-draw here should be more in his favor, and he is clearly trending in the right direction in the cellar grade. #1 Smiling Emperor drops into Class 5 after a luckless eighth-place finish when held up for most of the straight over 1200m. The class drop will serve him well, but as a three-year-old giving away plenty of weight, that remains the query. #11 Verbier gets back onto turf, which should suit, and he has trialed well between runs. His on-pace profile will hold him in good stead should he receive luck from out wide.

Race 2: PERCIVAL HANDICAP

#3 Colourful King was a pass mark on his Hong Kong debut, sticking on well late to finish two and a half lengths away in fifth despite being in need of the run. He will strip much fitter second-up, having trialed between runs, and can produce a much-improved performance stepping away from barrier 1. #2 Youthful Spirits is on the quick backup after leading as he usually does but fading late over 1200m, a trip that stretched him. He doesn't win out of turn, with just one victory from 16 local starts, but he will give his usual sight here. #5 Sparkling Fellow is now third-up in Hong Kong and has shown promise in both runs down the Sha Tin. He is heading in the right direction with more racing and is one to watch. #6 Watch This One is well prepared for his Hong Kong debut, and his series of trials suggest he can make his presence felt first-up.

Race 3: WONG NAI CHUNG HANDICAP

#1 Power Koepp creates plenty of interest on his second attempt in Class 4 and his first start for Mark Newnham. His trial was solid, and class may just prove him too good here with Hugh Bowman in the plate from barrier 2. #5 Excellent Peers has been running well without winning this season and remains firmly in the mix after charging home from barrier 11 into fourth behind Super Sixty last start. Moving into barrier 4 provides a better run in transit. #11 Lucky Blessing is only a three-year-old with room for improvement, and while still unplaced in seven starts, he has been finishing close up. He was on pace in a fast-run race last start but stuck on well late despite traffic, finishing just under three lengths away in sixth. In an open race, he can take the next step. #8 Good Prospect is coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes and is clearly trending in the right direction with more racing.

Race 4: THE CRAIGENGOWER CRICKET CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP)

#1 Perfect General is third-up from a break, and his on-pace effort last start behind Tactical Command, who made it back-to-back wins last week, was sound, fading late into fourth after setting a strong tempo. Given the race shape, he can improve. #2 Our Lucky Glory is on the verge of breaking through in this class after a fast-finishing second behind Tactical Command, but barrier 11 presents a tricky draw to overcome. #5 Loveisintheair was unwanted in the betting on debut for John Size and was given an easy time out the back before closing off well into sixth, beaten two and a half lengths. He should take a step forward from that experience. #10 Telecom Power is well down in the handicap and remains a threat, as his last-start second to Dragon Four Seas suggests.

Race 5: LOCKHART HANDICAP

#1 Casa Rochester made a strong impression on his first attempt in Class 4 last start, being steadied early from a wide barrier before being held up at a crucial stage yet still finishing just two lengths away in fifth. #8 Jumbo Fortune doesn't win out of turn, but his form has been solid since joining David Eustace's stable this season. He was a neck away in second in the same race as Casa Rochester last start and will be going close again. #7 Super Contented resumed off a lengthy injury break over 1400m at Sha Tin last time and was promising. He had some excuses in running but still ran well for seventh, beaten only by a small margin. He is a better chance at this course and distance, especially starting from pole position. #2 Red Majesty may enjoy a comfortable time on the pace and is always capable of bouncing back in this class.

Race 6: THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL CLUB CENTENARY CUP (HANDICAP)

#7 Plentiful is thriving this season, boasting three wins from eight starts, and he defied a rise in class last time to win going away. With a ton of speed engaged—even for a 1000m dash—the race sets up perfectly for him to storm over the top late as he eyes a hat-trick of wins. #8 Super Sixty was rewarded for his consistency with a well-deserved win over 1200m last start. He has prior strong form over this trip and will be suited by the anticipated genuine tempo. #6 Fun N Fun Together is proving costly after a fading sixth last start as a well-backed favorite. Still, he remains a pace influence and is nearing a win, with his chances hinging on how much early pressure unfolds. #4 Parents' Love has been a model of consistency this season and is another who likes to lead. He was no match for Plentiful last start when beaten two lengths but is capable of giving another bold sight.

Race 7: CANAL HANDICAP

#11 Flying Fortress is edging closer to a first local win after a series of strong get-back, run-on performances. He relished the rise from 1200m to this trip last start, going down by a nose to Thesis in Class 4, and should be going close from barrier 2 here. #2 Excellence Value looks capable of going back-to-back after breaking through locally at start four last time. That was his second run in blinkers in Hong Kong after successfully wearing them in Australia, and he remains well placed to deliver again. #1 M Unicorn was only a neck behind Excellence Value in that race and has every reason to test him again here, meeting him better at the weights. #10 Sturdy Ruby has been in career-best form this season, with two wins and two placings from five runs. Despite stepping up into Class 3 for the first time, he remains a progressive type who can measure up.

Race 8: TIN LOK HANDICAP

#11 Golden Rise has improved with a gear change since blinkers were applied three starts ago. After back-to-back second-place finishes behind Whiskey Fortune, he overcame a wide gate last time to score narrowly but impressively. Despite the rise in class, the penny may have dropped, and he can measure up. #8 Super Joy N Fun was unsuited over 1400m at Sha Tin last start, so he returns to his preferred track and distance here. His recent efforts at Happy Valley have been solid, and he hasn't been far away in strong races. #4 Gallant Valour has hit top form since drawing inside gates in his last two starts, winning impressively before finishing third to Aurora Lady last time—form that reads well. #9 Prawns Eleven charged late into second behind Aurora Lady from a wide alley last time but has the tactical speed to settle closer in the run, which will aid his chances.

Race 9: SPORTS HANDICAP

#3 Aurora Lady has his second attempt in Class 2 after having excuses in his first run at the grade two starts ago over 1400m at Sha Tin. He returned to winning ways back in Class 3 at this course and distance last start with a tidy victory, and barrier 1 provides every opportunity to go back-to-back. #2 Full Credit returns to Happy Valley for the second time, and his tactical versatility should stand him in good stead. His last-start third behind Magic Control over 1000m at Sha Tin was full of merit, as he was held up before switching off heels at a crucial stage. Stepping back up to 1200m is key to his chances. #5 Beauty Destiny has been one of the season's biggest improvers, winning four of his seven starts and rising 35 points in the handicap. This is his first foray into Class 2, which presents another test, but it's hard to deny he is flying. #7 Swift Ascend has made a rapid rise in the handicap since joining David Eustace's stable and can bounce back from a better-than-it-reads fifth last time.