Hong Kong Selections Jan. 21: Straight Arron the Stewards' Cup value

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Declan Schuster offers his selections and analysis for Sha Tin on Sunday. The highlight of the Jan. 21 program is the Stewards’ Cup (G1), and first post time is midnight (ET) late Saturday night stateside.

Selections

Race 1: #3 Choicerus, #5 Sweet Diamond, #7 Rattan World, #1 Daily Trophy
Race 2: #8 Devas Twelve, #7 Golden Rise, #1 Charity Bingo, #6 Californiatotality
Race 3: #2 Wunderbar, #4 Ka Ying Rising, #3 Kyeema, #1 Ima Single Man
Race 4: #3 Fun Elite, #6 Rise Companions, #12 Speedy Fortune, #5 Super Axiom
Race 5: #3 Superb Kid, #6 Golden Bull, #2 Compassion Spirit, #14 Lucky Planet
Race 6: #4 Handsome Bomb, #7 Pingwu Sparkle, #1 Super Goldi, #3 Geneva
Race 7: #3 Straight Arron, #2 Voyage Bubble, #5 Beauty Eternal, #1 California Spangle
Race 8: #7 Elliptical, #5 Ensued, #2 The Best Peach, #4 C P Brave
Race 9: #12 Mugen, #2 Howdeepisyourlove, #10 Global Harmony, #6 Atullibigeal
Race 10: #1 Armour War Eagle, #2 The Heir, #13 Storm Rider, #10 Lost Child

Analysis

Race 1: Beacon Hill H.

#3 Choicerus is favored in this grade. He raced well in Class 4 and is more than capable of winning in Class 5, especially from the draw with Hugh Bowman up. One to beat. #5 Sweet Diamond found form last start. He can build on that effort here with familiar ally Alexis Badel aboard. #7 Rattan World is consistent and commands respect with Zac Purton booked. He just needs to offset a tricky gate. #1 Daily Trophy gets 10 pounds taken off his back with the apprentice engaged. He’s another who has raced well in the above grade.

Race 2: Caroline Hill H. (Second Section)

#8 Devas Twelve is racing well at present and appears capable of securing a first win. He’s continued to improve and gets an ideal chance here from the good gate. #7 Golden Rise has done well so far across his career. He’s still lightly raced and is open to further improvement. He’s favored with Purton remaining aboard. #1 Charity Bingo steps down in grade. He can easily reverse his form against this group with James McDonald up. #6 Californiatotality keeps improving and gets another super chance here.

Race 3: Bennet’s Hill H.

#2 Wunderbar has proven time and time again that he is a serious talent. He’s now a three-time winner from four starts and it appears as though he still hasn’t reached his best. One to beat. #4 Ka Ying Rising was narrowly beaten by Wunderbar last start. These two look set to fight out the finish once again. #3 Kyeema was interfered with on debut. He’s clearly better than this and may represent some serious value on the weekend. #1 Ima Single Man hasn’t raced in this grade for quite some time. He has the class edge against this group.

Race 4: Cheung Shan H.

#3 Fun Elite won with plenty in hand on debut. He gets another shot at victory in the same grade and is suited over this course and distance from the draw. One to beat. He has further improvement on the way. #6 Rise Companions caught the eye in a recent trial behind Lucky Sweynesse. He clearly has ability and won’t be missed in the market this weekend. #12 Speedy Fortune can roll forward under Purton. He’ll be competitive close to the speed. #5 Super Axiom can lead and at any minute could easily reverse his form. Don’t discount.

Race 5: The Po Leung Kuk Cup H. (First Section)

#3 Superb Kid is lightly raced but can make a serious impact by stepping down to Class 4, especially with Bowman engaged. One to beat. #6 Golden Bull has been consistent across his career without winning. Expecting the same again from him here. #2 Compassion Spirit has been in good form this season. He can take the right step forward now stepping down from Class 3. Strong booking of Purton is worth consideration. #14 Lucky Planet slots in light and gets his opportunity. He can save ground from the draw.

Race 6: Diamond Hill H.

#4 Handsome Bomb had more to offer on debut. Expecting he can show that here, even from an awkward gate. Vincent Ho hops up and he shapes as the one they all have to catch. #7 Pingwu Sparkle draws poorly but expecting him to cross from the widest draw to lead. He has some ability and it’s just a case of extracting that on race day. #1 Super Goldi was super impressive last start. He can take another step forward here, especially in the same grade. #3 Geneva makes his debut. He appears forward enough to contend strongly.

Race 7: Stewards’ Cup (G1)

#3 Straight Arron is value. If they run this along at a decent tempo, then he could easily be the beneficiary. He gets better and better and even still, his best is yet to come. Golden Sixty’s absence opens this up. #2 Voyage Bubble has the right form after finishing second to Golden Sixty last month. He’ll be a deserved favorite. #5 Beauty Eternal can mix his form but is nothing short of brilliant on his day. He’ll get his chance from the right stable, who have seven wins in the race. #1 California Spangle is next in line. He needs to bounce back.

Race 8: Keung Shan H.

#7 Elliptical will relish the added distance. He’s done well so far and his best is clearly still ahead of him. He can easily announce himself this weekend with a first win in Hong Kong. Ho’s booking is worth respecting. #5 Ensued is a three-time winner from four starts. He’s got a stack of class and continues to improve. #2 The Best Peach gets out over further, which he looks well placed to enjoy. #4 C P Brave is in the form of his life with two wins from his last two starts. Next in line.

Race 9: Tin Wan Shan H.

#12 Mugen can bounce back following defeat. He won back-to-back races before that and the light weight affords him another excellent winning opportunity. One to beat. #2 Howdeepisyourlove looks ready for the rise in distance now. He doesn’t know how to run a bad race. McDonald’s booking is worth keeping an eye on. #10 Global Harmony scored an almighty win last start. He’ll settle back in the field before unleashing his powerful turn of foot. #6 Atullibigeal is regularly underestimated. Next in line.  

Race 10: Tsz Wan Shan H.

#1 Armour War Eagle was superb on debut when finishing second. He only needs to reproduce that effort to go close again here. He’s favored from gate 3 and could even be decent odds. #2 The Heir has a stack of class but no early speed. He’ll once again give them a head start before winding up late. #13 Storm Rider is after back-to-back wins. He rises in grade; however, he was nothing short of super impressive last time out. Major player. #10 Lost Child is in good form and does boast a win already this season. Next in line.