Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Oct. 5

Racing at Sha Tin begins at 1 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.

Race 1: TUNG LUNG CHAU HANDICAP

#1 Joyful Prosperity has been a costly horse to follow but looks set to receive every chance in the run from barrier 2. Hugh Bowman remaining in the saddle is a positive sign. #10 Joyful Champion is another contender who maps well for a winning chance. He will benefit from the rise in distance second-up and is expected to improve. #2 Fury and Gold wears blinkers for the first time, and his trial in them suggests he can turn his poor form around here. His first-up effort was also an improvement. #4 Fruity Warrior showed he was ready with a solid second-place finish first-up. A competitive Class 5 event, but he is in the mix.

Race 2: LAMMA ISLAND HANDICAP

#2 Young Horizon returns to Class 5, where his two career wins have come, and his first-up run at the bottom of Class 4 was full of promise. He has trialed well between runs and looks ready to bounce back to winning ways, especially with Zac Purton back in the saddle. #4 Super Elite is on a quick backup and will be ridden quieter, as noted in Tuesday's stewards' report. #9 Gallant Goody has drawn favorably, and his first-up run was a pass mark, so he can improve here. #1 Yoda's Choice has been disappointing, but dropping into Class 5 now, with barrier 1 and in-form Matthew Poon aboard, ensures he gets the right trip.

Race 3: HIGH WEST HANDICAP

#6 Excel Wongchoy will be a fitter horse second-up, and there was merit in his first-up performance as he held his fourth-place position throughout, beaten just a length and a half. #1 Floof seems to have improved from his stable change, evidenced by his eye-catching last-start win, and he may be able to build on that. #8 Forever Folks will benefit from a hot tempo if it eventuates, and he should be in the mix again. #9 Lucky Banner makes his own luck on pace, but he isn't a prolific winner.

Race 4: MIDDLE BAY HANDICAP

#1 Metro Warrior finds himself in a winnable contest, now third-up after two close-up fourths this preparation. In a field without a clear standout, he is well placed. #9 Victorythirtythree finished close-up in three runs last season and may have improved over the off-season based on recent trial performances. He has drawn the right part of the straight course. #2 Ace Victory can improve on his second start back in Class 4. He showed enough in his trial leading into this race to be a contender. #5 Master Trillion is a first starter who has looked okay in his trials without being fully tested.

Race 5: THE CHINESE RECREATION CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP)

#2 Majestic Express turned in his best run yet last start, storming home late into second over 1000 meters. With a favorable draw in stall 2 and Hugh Bowman aboard, he looks ready to win. #1 Lucky Eight returns to Class 4, where he should be more competitive. His close fifth to Full Credit last time out is strong form for a race like this, and he won a trial heat in good style ahead of his return. #5 Fun N Fun Together worked too hard on the lead from a wide draw last start but held on well for fourth; it was a solid effort. #10 Mr Good Vibes resumed in good order first-up, producing a strong late run into third over 1000m. The step up to 1200m suits his chances.

Race 6: PAK TAM AU HANDICAP

#2 Aeroinvincible will be a much better chance back at Sha Tin after racing wide over 1200m at Happy Valley last start. He also had excuses in his first-up run when a beaten odds-on favorite and gets one more chance here. #5 Solid Win ran on strongly to finish second first-up, and he's trending towards a win. Slight query on where he maps from his wide draw. #7 Markwin is well prepared for his debut, and his trials suggest he has ability. #6 Flying Luck showed promise in his two starts last season, and Hugh Bowman, having ridden him in all recent trials, has them looking sharp for this run.

Race 7: THE FEDERATION OF HK GUANGDONG COMMUNITY TROPHY (HANDICAP)

#12 Ka Ying Cheer has struggled to break through in Class 3 after seven attempts, but it's not for lack of effort. He ticks a lot of boxes in this race and looked sharp in a recent trial. #7 Fast Network vies to remain unbeaten in three starts as he steps into Class 3 for the first time. The rise in competition isn't overly sharp. #3 Flying High finished strongly into fourth first-up, two lengths behind the talented Magic Control. The anticipated fast pace will suit him perfectly. #6 Alpha One is steadily improving with more racing in Hong Kong. He has trialed well between runs and can take another positive step forward here.

Race 8: PAK TAM AU HANDICAP

#5 Sky Trust showed potential last season, and after his breakthrough success two starts ago, he followed up with a third-place finish despite excuses, having been declared a "roarer." The combination of Hugh Bowman and Caspar Fownes is strong, and they appear ready to keep the momentum going. #2 Sugar Ball won his first local race convincingly when resuming, and staying in Class 4 should allow him to run well again now that he's settled in. #4 Majestic Colour raced wide without cover when second-up and was entitled to fade late. He should show improvement third-up. #11 Lucky Fionn steps out for a new stable, now under Ricky Yiu, and may have improved with the change in surroundings.

Race 9: SAI WAN SHAN HANDICAP

#5 Divano makes his seasonal return after showing good promise last term, winning two from four and finishing as the runner-up to the up-and-comer Bottomuptogether in his latest start. He's one to follow. #8 King of Dubai demands respect on debut, having caught the eye in his trials, and Mark Newnham's stable is in strong form. He looks well-prepared and ready to make an impression. #6 Lady's Choice is honest and has strong form lines behind the likes of Full Credit. #1 Mighty Stride reunites with Hugh Bowman first-up. Although he has some issues, his trial was solid, and Class 3 suits him well.

Race 10: NAM LONG SHAN HANDICAP

#7 Chill Chibi continues to attract strong market support and is generally running well but needs to position himself closer in the early stages to enhance his winning chances. #9 Ka Ying Generation resumes following his 4YO Classic Series campaign and tries Sha Tin's all-weather surface for the first time. He was a Polytrack winner pre-import, which may hold him in good stead, and Zac Purton taking the ride for the first time is an eye-catching booking. #5 Adefill is a specialist over this course and distance. He will be far more effective back on his preferred surface after last seen on turf. #8 Berlin Tango appears to get plenty of favors in the run from his low draw.