Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Dec. 26

Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:10 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.

Race 1: MERCURY HANDICAP

#1 Speedy Smartie makes his Class 5 debut for the in-form combination of Jerry Chau and Benno Yung. After being drawn wide in his first two runs this season and producing a luckless fourth last time out, he now has the benefit of barrier 1 and appears poised to secure another win. #5 Super Charizzard was unsuited by the 1400m trip at Sha Tin last start and had no favors from barrier 14. The drop back in distance, coupled with Zac Purton taking the reins, boosts his prospects. #3 Ever Smart signaled that a maiden victory is near with a solid third on his first attempt in Class 5 last time. #12 E Glory can make good use of barrier 2 to position himself well in running and poses as a genuine knockout chance.

Race 2: VENUS HANDICAP

#5 Ka Ying Resilience, a promising three-year-old from the David Hayes yard, has shown potential to develop into a classy galloper. On his fourth attempt, he looks ready to secure his maiden win after trialing impressively since his narrow second first-up. Barrier 3 provides all the favors. #9 Parents' Love is in excellent form, having broken his maiden two starts ago at the top of Class 5 and followed it with a narrow third on IJC night. #1 Lean Master is overdue for a win this season, having placed in three of his four starts. He should enjoy an ideal run from barrier 4, giving him every chance. #7 Club Ace, a newcomer for John Size, has shown potential despite some signs of greenness in his trials. While he may benefit from the experience, he deserves respect from barrier 2 with Hugh Bowman aboard.

Race 3: MARS HANDICAP

#8 Sharpen Bright returns to his preferred track and distance, boasting two wins and a second placing at the course and trip. With a light weight, he shapes as a strong winning chance. #5 Noisy Boy, third-up in Hong Kong, looks ready to progress after a closing seventh over the extended mile last time out, where he raced too keenly. Zac Purton takes the reins, and the step up in trip appears ideal given his solid 2000m form in Australia. #1 Natural Storm carries top weight but is a proven performer over Happy Valley's 2200m, having only missed the top three once from nine attempts. #10 Winning Steps has been in excellent form this season with two wins and a third from six starts. Expect him to be finishing strongly, as is his typical style.

Race 4: JUPITER HANDICAP

#9 Telecom Power has gradually acclimatized to racing in Hong Kong and appears ready to break through for his maiden win. After a strong second last time, he followed up with an impressive trial win and now gets the benefit of an ideal draw in barrier 3, in a moderate Class 4 field. #5 Northern Fire Ball looks likely to start favorite after enduring tough wide barriers in his last three starts. From barrier 2 this time, he should relish the inside draw. A close third last time and a solid trial performance since, coupled with Zac Purton remaining in the saddle, add to his appeal. #7 Meepmeep had excuses for his last-start disappointment from a wide gate, racing very wide without cover. His prior third was encouraging, and with barrier 5, he could see a turn in fortune. #4 Excellent Peers has been running consistently without being far away since returning to Class 4. With barrier 1, he has every chance to bounce back into contention.

Race 5: SATURN HANDICAP

#6 Classic Century continues to make strides in each start. After a narrow third-place finish last time, he has since trialed impressively in blinkers, which he will wear for the first time on race day. Barrier 4 gives jockey Luke Ferraris a prime chance to secure another win for the Mark Newnham stable. #2 Viva Graciousness is a likeable last-start winner who should be prominent again, especially from barrier 1, where he will look to dictate from the front. #4 Turin Warrior edged out Classic Century last time to shed his maiden tag. He starts again from barrier 10 with Zac Purton staying aboard, and now that he has broken through, he could go on with things. #1 Red Majesty is a proven performer at this level and should improve significantly returning to Class 4 after being unsuited on the all-weather last time out.

Race 6: JUPITER HANDICAP

#3 View of the World boasts Markwin form, which reads well in a race of this caliber. Barrier 1 could prove a double-edged sword, though, depending on how Zac Purton utilizes it early. His impressive trial win at Conghua suggests he is in peak condition heading into this assignment. #7 Zetta Force caught the eye on debut, overcoming a slow start to finish strongly in fifth, just one and a half lengths off the winner. Coming out of the same trial as View Of The World, where he worked nicely, he looks primed for improvement. #10 Gimme Five has been steadily building towards a breakthrough victory, and barrier 4 offers him a great chance to position himself well for a strong finish. #4 Top Time steps out for his third start, and his last outing's second-place effort was full of merit after overcoming early interference. A recent quiet trial indicates he is ready to produce another strong showing.

Race 7: SATURN HANDICAP

#10 Take Action secured his maiden win impressively two starts back but faced challenges last time when settling too far back in a slowly run race that did not suit. Despite this, he closed strongly, and it was a better run than it reads on paper. Barrier 3 offers an ideal chance for him to regain winning ways in what promises to be one of the most competitive contests of the night. #3 Prince Alex is bidding for a hat-trick of wins and looks tough to oppose from barrier 1, reuniting with Harry Bentley, who guided him to victory two starts ago. #1 Big Red has battled some issues but showed promise in his first-up effort over 1200m, a distance short of his best. The step up to 1650m is ideal, as is barrier 2, while his win over I Can two starts back adds strength to his claims. #6 Embraces has his first start for Cody Mo and, though resuming first-up, brings solid prior form over 1200m. He appears well-placed to make an impact in this race.

Race 8: SATURN HANDICAP

#11 Golden Darci attracted solid betting support on IJC night but suffered an early check that hampered his chances. Despite this, he was only beaten one and a half lengths into fifth. With a positive jockey change from Yuga Kawada to Alexis Badel, he represents excellent value and looks a strong bet at a price here. #4 Highland Rahy endured a tough trip on the all-weather last time, caught wide early and making a mid-race move that left him vulnerable late. Now freshened, he sports blinkers for the first time, has trialed well in them, and his on-pace style should suit the C+3 rail position. #2 Lucky Touch, drawn wide in barrier 10, may be given a quiet ride by Hugh Bowman, looking to produce a late surge. His win two starts back suggested he still has more to offer. #8 The Azure steps up in grade after a cozy Class 5 win and could continue his upward trajectory.

Race 9: URANUS HANDICAP

#7 Beauty Destiny has hit career-best form after overcoming earlier troubles. Following two impressive wins in Class 4, he steps up to Class 3 but looks capable of continuing his winning streak, especially with the advantage of barrier 1. #4 Aurora Lady, a decisive winner from barrier 12 on IJC night, must be taken seriously if replicating that performance, as he likely still has points in hand. #2 Kyrus Dragon missed the break last time, costing him early ground, but ran his usual honest race, storming home late into second behind Aurora Lady. #11 Flying Fortress showed promise on debut, racing on pace in a fast-run contest before fading late to finish eighth behind Savvy Brilliant. A solid trial since suggests marked improvement is likely second-up for the Cody Mo stable.

Race 10: NEPTUNE HANDICAP

#4 Romantic Laos benefits from a much lower draw in barrier 3 after a tough trip from barrier 9 last time, where he raced wide without cover yet was only beaten four and a half lengths. His prior run suggested another win was near, and this presents a golden opportunity for him to capitalize on more favorable conditions. #9 Glorious Journey resumed with an unlucky eighth-place finish, beaten only three lengths despite racing wide without cover. A better run in transit should see him bounce back second-up. #5 Soleil Fighter can be followed after his first local win at this course and distance on IJC night, as more improvement is expected. #11 Fortune Superstar remains unplaced locally but has shown steady progress. His last-start fifth over 1800m, beaten less than a length after attempting to lead throughout, was a solid effort.