Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin April 27

Racing at Sha Tin begins late Saturday night/early Sunday morning at 12:45 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Race 1: FWD Insurance Act Private Handicap

#6 Reach Goal has been knocking on the door for some time and he gets another opportunity here. Zac Purton hops up and his recent efforts suggest that he's the one they all must beat. #7 Sharpen Bright is lightly raced but continues to perform well. He's holding his condition well. #2 Romantic Fantasy can find the front from gate one. He'll take a bit of reeling in, especially with the five pounds taken off his back. #1 Escape Route is a nice horse and he can make his presence felt.

Race 2: FWD Insurance Goahead Group Handicap

#7 Voyage Samurai has hit the ground running across three outings in Hong Kong with a pair of wins. He continues to progress well and improvement is expected once more, especially from gate five. #2 Frantanck can find the front here. Expecting he'll press forward and give this group something to reel in, just as he has done previously. #3 Star Mac loves the mile. He's pieced together a handy record and this contest is suitable. #4 Universal Horizon can improve with a bit of rain around. He can bounce back.

Race 3: FWD Insurance ICBC (Asia) Handicap

#1 Divano was impressive on debut when scoring by over a length. He looks hard to beat once more, especially with another shot in the same grade. He'll take reeling in. #6 Handsome Bomb has done well across two starts. He's open to further improvement and the inside gate is favorable. #11 Silver Destiny has shown plenty of prowess so far and it wouldn't surprise to see him find better form. #2 Lifeline Express is progressing well and the inside gate is a handy advantage this weekend.

Race 4: FWD Insurance BOCOM Handicap

#4 Circuit Fiery caught the eye with an impressive effort for third last start. He can take another step forward this weekend, especially from an ideal gate under Zac Purton. #8 Forerunner can mix his form but is classy on his day. He improved last time out and that effort holds him in very, very good stead. He's the value option. #5 Geneva is the likely favorite after placing in all three of his outings. #1 Rubylot has the class edge and an ideal draw for James McDonald.

Race 5: Chairman's Sprint Prize (G1)

#5 Invincible Sage is the one who could easily take advantage of a hot tempo. He's still progressing and his two placings at Group race level hold him in good stead. Expecting him to take a big step forward this weekend. #1 California Spangle will be a deserved favorite and is going to prove tough to beat. Slight concern on the speed, however, as he may not be left to his own devices. #3 Victor the Winner is another speed runner. He'll make his own luck and press forward. #9 Mugen can surprise and rates strongly.

Race 6: FWD Insurance NCB Handicap

#10 Second To None is taking all of the right steps forward and his most recent win was solid. He rises in grade, however, it does appear well within his capabilities. #8 Beauty Fit has been super honest all season and he finally returned a deserved win last start. He goes about his racing well and gets another chance here from gate three. #13 Sunlight Power is after a hat-trick of wins. He's another who goes up in grade but the inside gate is a positive for him. #11 Ka Ying Victory has the wide gate to offset. Next in line.

Race 7: Champions Mile (G1)

#1 Golden Sixty has been Hong Kong's best horse across recent years and he shapes as the one they all must beat. He returns for the first time this year, although his training has been smooth as he seeks a fourth win in the race. One to beat. #9 Galaxy Patch is the surprise package and he's a worthy rival. He's placed at Group 1 level already. #4 Beauty Joy might come to hand strongly if there's any more rain around. He was a tidy Group 2 winner last start. #2 Voyage Bubble gets his chance and will make his presence felt.

Race 8: QEII Cup (G1)

#11 Massive Sovereign continues to improve. He was an impressive winner of the BMW Hong Kong Derby and he's worth taking a chance on to develop again this weekend. This will be tough, although he's the value. #1 Romantic Warrior is seeking an unprecedented third win in the race. He's the class and will be fighting out the finish once more. #5 Straight Arron did well to finish sixth last start in Dubai. He's a horse who continues to improve and his best is up to this. #2 Dubai Honour is next in line.

Race 9: FWD Insurance CCB (Asia) Handicap

#5 Drombeg Banner can press forward from the inside gate. He's a tough on-pacer who can take a bit of getting past at times. #2 The Golden Scenery is racing well and the inside draw is favorable. He's proven himself at this level and over the trip across his entire career. #8 Blue Marlin meets a suitable race and he's proven remarkably consistent this season, twice winning from his last four starts. #7 Wonder Kit has been thereabouts without winning. Next best.

Race 10: FWD Insurance CMB Wing Lung Bank Handicap

#1 Hasten Delight was a tidy winner last start and although he meets a hotly contested finale, he does shape as the one they all must beat. #8 Full Credit is another impressive last start winner. He can continue to progress and chances are he rolls forward in a bid to make all. #3 Stellar Express is taking the right steps forward and the inside draw is a big advantage, especially against this group. #2 James Tak won well around a bend last time to prove that he's not just a straight course horse. Keep safe.