Sha Tin: Hong Kong Jockey Club Picks for Oct. 23, 2022

Outstanding sprinter Wellington and the fast-improving Lucky Sweynesse head the field for the Premier Bowl (G2), the feature race at Sha Tin this weekend.

To help bettors along, TwinSpires this week provides some analysis and suggestions from the Hong Kong Jockey Club for plays for the Sunday card at Sha Tin.

Don't forget to keep an eye out on TwinSpires Edge for Alastair Bull's previews of the Hong Kong cards. TwinSpires regularly features its Rest of the World Bet Back offer on all Hong Kong midweek races.

Race 1: Woodpecker Handicap

#12 Fortune Master did well to finish where he did first-up. He caught the eye late and is one who can improve getting up in distance. The inside draw should ensure he gets his chance over a course and distance he is a winner on. #2 Sunny Baby is chasing back-to-back wins. He remains in Class 5 which suits and pairs favorably with Zac Purton again. #10 U W Brother should find the front and try to pinch this contest. He gets a handy 10lb taken off with the apprentice claim. #1 Polaris Winner is improving. Keep safe.

Race 1 Pick: #12 Fortune Master, #2 Sunny Baby, #10 U W Brother, #1 Polaris Winner 

Race 2: Tailorbird Handicap

#7 Shanghai Dragon returns first-up. He’s trialled well and is favored here from the inside gate under Jerry Chau. Expect with the run of the race that he can mount a threatening challenge. #1 Oscar Glory is the likely leader. He remains in Class 4 and will step away favorably from gate three in his bid to run this group along. #3 Toycoon can improve back on turf. He is a solid chance here off a competitive mark. #10 Kasi Farasi is in form and racing off a dangerous mark. Zac Purton’s booking commands respect.

Race 2 Pick: #7 Shanghai Dragon, #1 Oscar Glory, #3 Toycoon, #10 Kasi Farasi

Race 3: Swallow Handicap

#7 Marado looks well placed to improve here. He did well first-up and appears suited with a rise in distance. Strong booking of Silvestre de Sousa commands respect. #2 One Voice is looking for a first win at his third start after twice finishing second. He has the talent and ability to be winning very, very soon. #5 Super Red Dragon is nothing short of consistent. He looks ready to fire once more as he steps out third-up for trainer Chris So. #11 Master Of Luck was far from disgraced last start. He can progress again.

Race 3 Pick: #7 Marado, #2 One Voice, #5 Super Red Dragon, #11 Master Of Luck 

Race 4: Sunbird Handicap

#7 Daring Pursuit has done well in the lead-up to his debut. He’s trialled well and appears more than capable of scoring a first-up win in this grade. He’s talented and looks ready to hit the ground running. #2 Super Sunny Sing has the ability and should improve following his first-up run. He just needs to offset the tricky draw. #13 Beauty Mission also got no luck with the barrier draw. Still, he should improve sharply in Class 4. #5 August Moon tends to outperform his odds. Expect he can do so here.

Race 4 Pick: #7 Daring Pursuit, #2 Super Sunny Sing, #1 Beauty Mission, #5 August Moon

Race 5: Lark Handicap

#12 Superb Boy makes his debut. He moved well in a recent trial, enough so to suggest that he could win at his first outing under Zac Purton. He looks like a talent who can run this group off their feet. #4 Ping Hai Bravo closed soundly last start. He’s stepping away off a dangerous mark as a four-time course and distance winner. #5 Summit Cheers did well upon resumption and looks well placed to build on that effort once more. Soundness issues in the past remain the concern. #1 Metro Warrior will be thereabouts.

Race 5 Pick: #12 Superb Boy, #4 Ping Hai Bravo, #5 Summit Cheers, #1 Metro Warrior 

Race 6: Shrike Handicap

#6 Tempest Express is racing well and is closing on another win. He maps to get the run of the race from gate one and should be ready to peak now third-up following the break. #4 Powerful Wings was well supported first-up and did return in excellent order. He’s well placed to follow that effort with another competitive performance. #11 Wide Blue Yonder slots in light and rises to Class 3 this weekend. He’s a threat in his spot. #7 Encountered has claims. Strong booking of Zac Purton warrants consideration.

Race 6 Pick: #6 Tempest Express, #4 Powerful Wings, #11 Wide Blue Yonder, #7 Encountered

Race 7: Hwamei Handicap

#3 Celestial Power ran a blinder first-up, narrowly missing to his stablemates by just over a length. He can improve getting up in trip here and the inside draw should give him the run of the race. #1 Money Catcher has finished runner-up across his last four outings. He remains a winning chance and is favored. #5 Running Glory is classy and must be ready to fire having his first-up run over this distance. #8 Rise Brethren gets every chance. He’s returned in fantastic order.

Race 7 Pick: #3 Celestial Power, #1 Money Catcher, #5 Running Glory, #8 Rise Brethren

Race 8: G2 Premier Bowl Handicap

#8 Lucky Sweynesse blitzed rivals first-up and he’s expected to carry on with that form again. He was devastating that day and there is little reason to suggest why he can’t repeat. He’s in the right vein of form and the added weight won’t stop him. #1 Wellington is class and should be fighting out the finish. Expect him to peak over the next two outings though. #5 Lucky Patch is tracking back to his best. He can figure here third-up which suits him. #3 Stronger is nothing short of consistent. Expect a solid effort.

Race 8 Pick: #8 Lucky Sweynesse, #1 Wellington, #5 Lucky Patch, #3 Stronger

Race 9: Magpie Handicap

#5 Midori Beauty returned in excellent order last start. He’s so, so close to a first win and he is currently in the right vein of form. The wide gate makes it tough in an incredibly difficult race. #3 Lightning Warrior is all class. He’s done so well in his trials and is expected to make an impression first-up in Hong Kong. #8 Beauty Tycoon is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s figured it out now and should be in contention here. #11 Victor The Winner is chasing back-to-back wins. Expect he rolls forward and gets his shot.

Race 9 Pick: #5 Midori Beauty, #3 Lightning Warrior, #8 Beauty Tycoon, #11 Victor The Winner

Race 10: Cuckoo Handicap

#12 You’remyeverything looks to have a number of rating points still in hand. Expect he can improve following his first-up win, especially with Matthew Chadwick here under the light weight. #3 Packing Victory is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s a serious talent who is well placed again here. The outside gate, however, will cause him a few headaches. #1 The Golden Scenery is consistent and has a stack of ability. He’ll be finishing off as he always does. The class-rise may catch #11 Oriental Smoke.

Race 10 Pick: #12 You’remyeverything, #3 Packing Victory, #1 The Golden Scenery, 11 Oriental Smoke