Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin the night of April 5

Racing at Sha Tin begins at 12:45 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.

Race 1: GRADUATE SCHOOL ALUMNI HANDICAP

#2 Chilli Baba tests his mettle over 2000m for the first time but looks well placed in a weak race, having scored just three starts ago. Since then, he's stepped back to the mile after an 1800m run and has been eye-catching late from wide barriers, clocking the fastest final sectional in both subsequent efforts. #8 Super Hong Kong hasn't won for over a year and a half but is a two-time course and distance winner coming off a narrow last-start defeat, placing him nicely here as Zac Purton takes the reins. #11 Golden Fairy is one from one over this course and distance and has the early toe to take up the lead and give a sight, though he needs to rebound from a heavy first-up defeat where he was beaten over 20 lengths. #1 Perfect Pairing drops into Class 5 for the first time, which should help his chances. He's unplaced in 12 starts, but now in the cellar grade, he gets a chance to lift his form.

Race 2: CHUNG CHI ALUMNI HANDICAP

#2 Manythanks Forever has been in good form since a stable change but hasn't been suited up to the mile in his last two runs. Two starts ago, he was badly held up, while last time he raced on the pace in a fast-run race and only faded late into fifth. The drop back to 1400m is key to his chances of bouncing back here. #5 Regency Happy Star has been a revelation since joining David Eustace's yard, with the freshman trainer lifting him 15 points in the handicap thanks to two wins and two placings from five starts. He looks to have more to give, and barrier 1 will provide a sweet run. #7 So Awesome can roll forward in a race lacking speed and give a good sight. He did just that last start when only narrowly beaten by Regency Happy Star, and gets his chance to bounce back for a long overdue win. #6 Family Fortune is first-up since mid-December and was last seen checking in a luckless 11th behind Manythanks Forever, where he was held up over the final 50m.

Race 3: NEW ASIA ALUMNI HANDICAP

#5 Dazzling Fit is a three-year-old with ability, but he was up against it on debut from barrier 10, racing greenly throughout before being held up in the straight. He closed off well into sixth, beaten just over three lengths by Crossborderpegasus—an up-and-comer who has since trialed smartly. #2 Mount Everest caused a surprise on debut when winning at long odds, but he had shown promise at the trials beforehand. He's trialed nicely again since and looks a horse to follow. #9 Top Throne comes out of the same race as Mount Everest, finishing just three-quarters of a length away in fourth after racing wide without cover. It was an encouraging effort, and a handy trial between runs suggests he's in with a shout. #6 Pejibaye has been trialing smartly ahead of his debut, and if he can bring that form to race day, he looks capable of being in the mix.

Race 4: UNITED ALUMNI HANDICAP

#3 Good Luck Babe is getting close to a win. The four-year-old has placed second and third in his last two starts over 1400m, and now stepping up to the mile—over which he scored his sole overseas win—looks ideal for him to put his best foot forward. #2 Beato returned to Class 4 and made an immediate impact, flashing home late into third over this course and distance. That effort carries him in good stead to bounce back to winning ways in this grade, where his best form lies. #6 Oriental Smoke found himself on the pace in a fast-run race last time, which set it up for those back in the field, but he wasn't beaten far into eighth. A kinder race shape will suit him, and he always warrants respect in this class. #1 Beauty Viva sees Class 4 for the first time after an encouraging seventh behind Endeared, where he was held up late. He's improving with more racing, and this drop in class should suit.

Race 5: THE CUHK ALUMNI CUP (HANDICAP)

#2 Flash Current closed in hard and fast for third behind Akashvani last start, which was a solid run against the race shape after breaking his maiden at start two. He draws a better gate than Akashvani here, which gives him an edge. #1 Akashvani backed up a series of impressive barrier trials with a dominant debut win. Drawn wide in barrier 12, he took luck out of the equation by spearing straight to the lead and controlling the race for a comfortable one-and-a-quarter length victory. He has since trialed well again and looks a horse with plenty more to come, though barrier 14 is awkward. #7 Star Figure was only moderate on debut, finishing just over five lengths away in 10th as the race favorite. He has trialed well since, though, and should improve second-up. #9 Sight Dreamer can also improve. His last-start 10th was better than it reads—he settled last from a wide barrier and closed off well to be beaten only four and a half lengths.

Race 6: SHAW ALUMNI HANDICAP

#3 Geneva is a promising four-year-old who was solid first-up off a three-month break from barrier 10, ridden quietly before flashing home late into second behind Lifeline Express. Much will come down to position in running, but he should strip fitter here and has what it takes to turn the tables. #1 Lifeline Express broke through for a deserved first Class 3 win last start after several narrow defeats. He did it in style, finishing one and a quarter lengths ahead of Geneva, and also being a four-year-old, he looks to have a bit more to give. #6 King of Dubai was a pass mark on debut when four and a half lengths away in eighth. He was held up from the 400m and then copped a check at the 300m. He should be fitter now with a trial between runs. #5 Moduleconstruction raced wide without cover when eighth behind Lifeline Express. That was his first run since July last year, so he naturally has improvement to come, and he's capable of putting in a good effort with anticipated luck in running.

Race 7: FACULTY OF EDUCATION ALUMNI HANDICAP

#5 Voyage Samurai should prove hard to wear down in a race lacking early speed, where he looks likely to dictate on his own terms. This shapes as his best chance to break his Class 2 duck after four attempts, with his last-start second to Sunlight Power reading strongly. #1 Helene Feeling carries top weight but has been in exceptional form, including a last-start third to the talented Bundle Award over 1800m. The drop back in trip suits, and he has the tactical speed to put himself into the race early. #2 The Golden Scenery is hard to catch but looks in with a shout in a small field where he could land on pace and improve on recent efforts. #4 C P Brave is better placed back at the mile after a moderate showing over 1800m last start. Two runs ago, he showed a good return to form when finishing close up behind Moments In Time.

Race 8: MORNINGSIDE ALUMNI HANDICAP

#7 Shamus Storm had plenty go wrong last start when finishing eighth as a beaten favorite, just under three lengths off the winner. Bumped and hampered early, he was used up to find an on-pace position in a fast-run race that favored backmarkers. He gets another chance here and has trialed well between runs. #9 Mr Cool was well fancied on debut over 1200m at Happy Valley and, despite not saluting, closed off strongly into third from the rear. The step up to 1400m looks right up his alley and he should take good improvement from that first-up effort. #5 Autumn Vibes has his third career start and has shown promise in two runs over 1200m—an eye-catching third on debut followed by a closing fifth second-up, where his racing manners let him down. He looks likely to appreciate the extra trip and his trial between runs was encouraging. #4 Etalon Or is still on the hunt for his maiden win after eight starts, but he's been close up in four recent placings and remains firmly in the mix.

Race 9: S.H. HO AND CW CHU ALUMNI HANDICAP

#1 The Boom Box saw his winning streak come to an end last start but lost no admirers, finishing third to Armour War Eagle with only half a length between them. That was his first go at 1400m and he can take another step forward second-up at the trip as he moves into barrier 2 and has Zac Purton in the saddle. #2 Brilliant Express stepped up to the mile last start chasing a hat-trick of wins but, from barrier 10, was caught wide without cover which dulled his finish. He was only beaten two and a half lengths by rising talent Patch of Cosmo, and the drop back to 1400m puts him in good stead to atone. #4 Silo has been turning in solid efforts while remaining a local maiden from eight starts. He resumes off a three-month break after finishing three and a half lengths away in tenth behind Packing Angel, and a recent trial suggests he's forward enough to feature. #10 Solid Impact generally gets back and runs on, but from barrier 13 last start he was ridden forward, and with the race shape against him, was entitled to fade. Still, he's capable of sneaking into the finish at a price.

Race 10: WU YEE SUN AND LEE WOO SING ALUMNI HANDICAP

#9 Sky Jewellery is an up-and-comer for the John Size yard, with two wins and a last-start second to the talented Hong Lok Golf on his Class 3 debut. He now tackles the mile for the first time but should relish the extra ground and looks well placed to go one better. #2 Tourbillon Prince drops back into Class 3 where he warrants plenty of respect. He may be suited up on the pace in a race lacking early pressure, which could help offset some queries over his course and distance record. #8 Dragon Joy draws a better gate this time and is a handy four-year-old. His last start from barrier 13 is best forgotten, and his prior good form has him right in the mix. #10 Flying Luck steps up into Class 3 after notching his second career win at start nine under a hefty impost. The lighter weight will serve him well and he looks competitively placed again.