Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of April 19

Racing at Sha Tin begins late Friday night/early Saturday morning at 1 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Race 1: Racing For Charity 1650m Handicap

#4 Cool Blue has mixed his form so far, although he has shown plenty of prowess on Hong Kong's alternate surface. He draws ideally and is worth another shot here, especially in Class 5. #6 M M Nebula has the wide gate to offset; however, he can prove difficult to reel in at times. #9 Casa Legend is yet to win. He's been a hard luck story for almost all of his career, threatening at times only to miss narrowly. #11 Chiron is next in line. He has the runs on the board to be competitive.

Race 2: JC Project Lift 1400m Handicap

#7 Matsu Victor caught the eye late last start. He appears well placed to improve this weekend, especially with Matthew Poon retaining the ride. Take a chance on him outperforming his quote. #6 Happy Daily has been solid across his entire career and he gets a handy five pounds taken off his back with the apprentice up. #10 Invincible Lucky can bounce back. Strong booking of Zac Purton holds him in good stead, especially from an ideal draw. #2 Sixth Generation is next best.

Race 3: Institute Of Philanthropy 1200m Handicap

#4 Sing Dragon continues to raise the bar and there's little reason to suggest why he can't do exactly that again. He's chasing a hat trick of wins and shapes up as the hardest to beat. #5 Victory Moments has twice finished runner-up to Sing Dragon. These two look set to finish one-two again. #9 Monta Frutta is favored at the bottom of the handicap. He has an ideal draw, and the five pounds come off with Angus Chung assigned. #3 Magniac mixes his form but does get another opportunity here.

Race 4: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy Handicap

#5 Red Elegance was superb last start and he can take another step forward this weekend. He's a winner over the course and distance. He can score again if he manages to replicate his most recent effort. #13 Prosecco returned an overdue first win last start. Chances are he knows what to do now and even without winning for the bulk of his career, he did know how to run well a lot. #12 Gimme Five should relish the step back in trip. #3 Chateauneuf can bounce back. He's much better than his most recent effort.

Race 5: Positive Ageing 1650m Handicap

#11 High Rise Power is making all of the right improvements. He's tracking towards a first win and he rates strongly here, especially with a familiar set of hands retaining the ride. #1 Galvanic has hit his straps. He's got a few rating points still hand, so the booking of the 10-pound claiming apprentice is a big advantage. #7 All Riches has consistency on his side. He's rarely out of contention. #2 Bear Slam has the class and experience to make an impact here, especially under Hugh Bowman.

Race 6: Empowering Youth 1200m Handicap

#2 Solid Shalaa has hit a purple patch of form. He can continue in this direction and his win two starts ago was solid against a similar group for an in-form David Hayes. One to beat. #11 Valiant Elegance returns to Class 4 following his last-start, make-all win. Expecting he'll cross early in a bid to offset the tricky gate. Worth a chance. #4 Vantastic Choice is another who should press for the lead. He also finds an awkward draw. #6 Robot Knight is lightly raced but turned in a career-best effort last time out. Next best.

Race 7: Healthy Community 1600m Handicap

#14 Forever Folks is seeking back-to-back wins. He did well last start on the dirt and in the past has proven formidable on the turf, too. He finds a suitable contest this weekend and should be a bit of value. #2 Californiatotality is after a hat trick of wins. He can do no wrong at present and should be able to run a race again against this group. #4 Beer Palace was ridden upside down last start. He can atone for that effort. #1 Laugh Tale is closing in on a first win. He'll need luck from the draw though.

Race 8: Nurturing Talent 1200m Handicap

#7 Call Me Glorious is a one-time winner from two starts. He's hit the ground running and his go-forward style of racing is suited against this group. He'll take a bit of catching. #12 Sunny Darling was given no hope last start. He can find some form here, especially from gate 1. Take an each-way ticket on him at monster odds. #1 Ima Single Man is back to a competitive level of racing in this grade. The apprentice goes up and he gets another shot. #6 Lady's Choice mixes his form. Still, he is very capable.

Race 9: Advancing Culture & Sports 1800m Handicap

#6 Chill Chibi is a classy horse. He finished fourth last start in the Hong Kong Derby and that form is sound, especially behind Massive Sovereign and Galaxy Patch. The return to this trip is ideal for him. One to beat. #2 Flaming Rabbit can find the front and give this group something to reel in, although he won't be alone there. #3 Running Glory closed off stoutly last start. He can take another step forward over a suitable distance. #9 Sweet Encounter is consistent and warrants respect.

Race 10: Sustainability 1400m Handicap

#3 Patch of Theta is seeking a third straight win. He's a serious talent on the rise and he gets another super chance in the same grade after his latest successful effort. The inside gate is favorable. #4 Magnificent Nine is making inroads and it's clearly only a matter of time before he records a first win. Purton's up and he gets a shot. #2 Fun Together reeled off a hat trick of wins earlier this campaign and he's since been racing well without winning. #10 Stellar Swift caught the eye late and can improve off last start.