Hong Kong: Selections for night of May 25

The Sunday card at Sha Tin (beginning late Saturday night/early Sunday 12:45 a.m. ET) features the Champions & Chater Cup (G1), and the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Declan Schuster provides his selections and analysis.

Sha Tin Selections

Race 1: #6 Meaningful Dragon, #1 Thunder Blink, #2 La Forza, #7 Santorini
Race 2: #2 Joyful Friendship, #9 Speedstar, #6 Medic Elite, #13 Star Of Glory
Race 3: #5 Holy Lake, #2 Bourbonaire, #9 Awesome Fluke, #1 Natural Storm
Race 4: #1 Bottomuptogether, #9 Winning Money, #2 Multisuper, #4 Red Elegance
Race 5: #1 Divano, #7 Master Mastermind, #4 Embraces, #9 Ballistic Win
Race 6: #4 Storming Dragon, #1 Chateauneuf, #11 Top Peak, #5 Beauty Alliance
Race 7: #2 Straight Arron, #1 Rebel’s Romance, #3 Five G Patch, #7 Massive Sovereign
Race 8: #7 Mister Dapper, #13 Northern Beast, #8 Circuit Fiery, #11 Joyful Prosperity
Race 9: #8 Pulsar Strider, #1 Little Brose, #9 Call Me Glorious, #6 Phoenix Light
Race 10: #3 Rising From Ashes, #8 Tourbillon Prince, #4 Top Gun, #1 Blue Marlin

Race Analysis

Race 1: Pakistan Star Plate

#6 Meaningful Dragon returns for his second start. He did well on debut and can improve following that outing, especially from a stand-side draw. One to beat. #1 Thunder Blink won smartly first-up. He returns with a super chance and will meet several of those rivals again. #2 La Forza dug deep for a nice win last start. He’s going to need to improve once more if he wants to win again. #7 Santorini is showing consistency. His day will come. He’s put together two nice efforts. Keep safe.

Race 2: Helene Super Star Handicap

#2 Joyful Friendship is closing in on a first win. He’s suited in this grade, and recent efforts suggest he’s near enough to registering breakthrough victory. One to beat with Hugh Bowman engaged. #9 Speedstar has a favorable gate. He might settle near the tail of the field; however, the option is there to save ground up on the pace or midfield. #6 Medic Elite is consistent and he continues to race well. He’s seeking a third win this campaign. #13 Star Of Glory slots in light and he can make his presence felt.

Race 3: Vengeance Of Rain Handicap

Plain and simple, #5 Holy Lake is just a winner. He gets another super chance here after stringing consecutive victories together. He’s prevailed five times already this season, and the inside gate affords him his shot. #2 Bourbonaire would love a rain-affected track, and chances are he receives his preferred conditions. #9 Awesome Fluke has done well so far in Hong Kong without setting the world alight. He can make further improvements. #1 Natural Storm drops in grade. He can thrive here.

Race 4: Indigenous Handicap

#1 Bottomuptogether won smartly on debut. He remains in the grade, and even with more weight, he shapes as the one they all must beat. Zac Purton retains the ride and he’ll take reeling in. #9 Winning Money can improve again as he appears to be doing exactly that each start. Vincent Ho hops up and he gets a shot. #2 Multisuper loves the course and distance. He goes about his racing well and is not to be underestimated here. #4 Red Elegance is in fine form and continues to make good headway. Next best.

Race 5: Makarpura Star Handicap

#1 Divano is a smart horse, although he will need to bounce back sharply this weekend. His debut win was superb, and his latest trial has him on track to perform strongly. #7 Master Mastermind is lightly raced but showing all of the right signs. Expecting further improvement from him here, especially with an ideal gate on his side. #4 Embraces closed smartly for second on debut. He can further ascend this weekend. #9 Ballistic Win slots in with a good gate. Next best.

Race 6: Exultant Handicap

#4 Storming Dragon has twice placed from two runs. He clearly has ability and even though he’s drawn wide, he is expected to settle back in the run before charging home late. Purton’s booking is worth respecting. #1 Chateauneuf is lightly raced but clearly has improvement to come. He narrowly missed last start and will be favored here. #11 Top Peak has the ability and is clearly going to piece it all together very soon. #5 Beauty Alliance can surprise. He was sound on debut. 

Race 7: Champions & Chater Cup (G1)

#2 Straight Arron can bounce back. He has the class, although his first start back in Hong Kong after racing in Dubai was poor. Taking a chance on him here as his best is more than up to winning this contest. He should be value, too. #1 Rebel’s Romance is the clear one to beat; however, he won’t be any sort of winning price. He’s not worth supporting at his quote, which will be super short. #3 Five G Patch will relish any rain around, which is forecast. He loves the trip. #7 Massive Sovereign is next in line. Weather concerns.

Race 8: Viva Pataca Handicap

#7 Mister Dapper is a smart miler, and he returns with another shot this weekend after narrowly missing last start over the course and distance. He goes about his racing well, and Bowman ensures his opportunity. #13 Northern Beast trialed well last start and he’s hit a serious purple patch of form. He slots in light and has an ideal draw, which will afford him options. #8 Circuit Fiery has placed in his last two outings. Purton retains the ride and he’s favored. #11 Joyful Prosperity is consistent and gets his shot.

Race 9: Oriental Express Handicap

#8 Pulsar Strider can make all from the favorable gate. He’ll hit the front with ease and from there take a bit of catching. #1 Little Brose steps sharply down in grade. He’s a Group 1 winner already and has the class to figure strongly against this group. His latest trial was sound. #9 Call Me Glorious has raced three times for one win. He has the scope to improve, and his pairing with Purton is a big advantage. #6 Phoenix Light is an in-form horse who will chase a third win this campaign. Keep safe.

Race 10: River Verdon Handicap

#3 Rising From Ashes drops in grade. He can improve here and the inside gate should afford him a sweet run throughout, assuming he doesn’t slip too far back in the run. He’s won in the class above, and his latest effort for fifth was sound. #8 Tourbillon Prince is seeking back-to-back wins. He draws ideally for leading rider Purton. #4 Top Gun narrowly won on debut. He can improve following that effort. #1 Blue Marlin doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He does have the draw to overcome though.