Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley June 4

Racing at Happy Valley begins at 6:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.

Race 1: MOUNT BUTLER HANDICAP

#9 Mr Aladdin has been in good form recently and looks poised to break through for his first win. Wide draws have hindered him in his past three starts, but he moves into a slightly better gate here in stall 9, and Zac Purton taking the ride suggests he'll get every chance. #6 Super Hong Kong will relish shifting into a low draw after jumping from barriers 12 and 11 in his last two runs, where he was taken back and ran on strongly. The step back up to 2200m brings him right into contention. #10 Golden Fairy resumes from barrier 1 and looks the likely leader. He'll give a good sight and can prove tough to run down. #2 Go Go Go faded late into fifth first-up and should strip fitter for this. With two second-place finishes from as many starts at the trip, he's in with a shout.

Race 2: MOUNT NICHOLSON HANDICAP

#1 Lean Hero returns to Class 4, where three of his four career wins have come, and from barrier 1 he can enjoy all favors. Forget his last start from gate 14 at Sha Tin where he was never in the race, but his prior runs at Happy Valley were encouraging. #2 Sunday's Serenade was chasing a hat-trick last start but had too much work to do from barrier 12. He moves into a better draw this time and should settle closer in the run. While unproven at the distance, his form has been on the up since switching to the Valley. #9 Firefoot ran a solid fifth after leading over 1800m at Sha Tin last start, and his chances improve now that he returns to Happy Valley. He doesn't need to lead but should be on-pace making his own luck. #6 Mission Strike is lightly raced and continues to hint at a win. He will get back from barrier 11 but is one to watch charging late.

Race 3: WONG NAI CHUNG GAP HANDICAP

#10 Good Prospect began fairly last time and settled further back than intended and had excuses in the run. He gets a likeable jockey switch with Andrea Atzeni taking over, and barrier 3 ensures every chance if he jumps on terms. #3 Beauty Thunder has been improving since sliding down the ratings. He ran second two starts back and had some traffic issues last time when finishing eighth. Expect better with Zac Purton now in the saddle. #11 Vulcanus maps to get a similar run to last start from barrier 1, where he finished a close second beaten just half a length—he's in the mix again. #2 King Eccellente returns to Class 4 and, from a low draw, can be followed now that he's back in the right grade.

Race 4: SHOUSON HILL HANDICAP

#1 Midori Fuji again draws wide but looks ready to win after back-to-back seconds. Despite the tricky gate, he still shapes as the one to side with. #6 Wrote a New Page makes his Happy Valley debut and brings solid Sha Tin form. His last-start fourth held merit given he raced wide without cover until mid-race over the Sha Tin mile. #7 Nebraskan steps up in trip for the first time, but barrier 1 ensures a kind run. He's still a maiden, but recent 1200m efforts suggest he's getting close to breaking through. #2 Setanta is capable of bouncing back anytime in this grade. This is his third run back in Class 4 and from a good draw at his preferred track, he's worth including.

Race 5: THE CRICKET CLUB VALLEY STAKES (HANDICAP)

#2 Bienvenue broke through with a dominant maiden victory last time, his second attempt at this course and distance. The three-year-old looks capable of going back-to-back from barrier 2 where he maps to get every chance. #8 Loving Vibes fits a similar profile, having taken a few runs to break through but backed up his maiden win with a close third last time. He's hard to oppose given his consistency. #1 Denfield can improve on his recent moderate form now that he drops back into Class 4, with the 7lb apprentice claim also aiding his cause. #7 Tactical Command is on the quick seven-day turnaround from a solid fourth, beaten just 1.5 lengths, and is always worth some thought.

Race 6: STANLEY GAP HANDICAP

#4 Giant Leap looks to have turned a corner and now chases a hat-trick. He broke through for his first Class 3 win last start with a strong all-the-way effort and has since bolted in a trial. From barrier 1, he gets every chance. #5 Storm Rider has been in top form since switching to this course and distance four starts ago, reeling off three consecutive runner-up finishes. With barrier 2 and blinkers on for the first time, he surely goes close. #3 Beauty Infinity raced wide without cover last start when a close-up fourth and was a solid third to Chateauneuf prior. He's generally around the mark and is again worthy of consideration. #11 Storming Dragon will appreciate a solid tempo up front and look for him to be charging home late, as seen when rattling into third behind Crimson Flash last time out.

Race 7: TAI TAM GAP HANDICAP

#7 Casa Rochester is finding his feet. After dropping in the ratings and breaking through on his third attempt in Class 4, he returned to Class 3 last start and posted a creditable fifth despite striking traffic late. He tries 1800m for the first time, but the trip looks within reach. #9 Joy of Spring deserves another chance after starting favorite last time but finding himself on the inferior part of the track. He should present better value this time and barrier 2 gives him every hope. #2 Cambridge surprised at long odds last start, winning on his first attempt at this course and distance. The four-year-old is now further acclimatized and looks capable of building on that effort. #1 Flamingo Trillion has what it takes to sneak into the placings in this grade and at this trip. He maps well on the speed in a race lacking genuine tempo.

Race 8: VIOLET HILL HANDICAP

#2 Sky Trust returned to Happy Valley for his second try last start but again copped a wide gate, his third in a row. Ridden for luck from the back, he had too much work to do but still flashed into fourth—it was a strong effort, and with a better draw and more even run he can bounce back. #3 Another World makes his first appearance at the Valley and is worth keeping safe. His Sha Tin form is solid, and that base should carry him a long way here. #5 Excellence Value has built a handy record with one win and three placings from seven local starts. He's placed in three outings since his win and continues to run well—hard to knock. #7 Prestige Good steps back into Class 3 after a commanding all-the-way win last week for his first Hong Kong success. The quick back-up is a positive for this improving four-year-old who appears ready to progress further.

Race 9: WAN CHAI GAP HANDICAP

#4 Gustosisimo won a Class 2 race at Sha Tin impressively two starts ago, but from barrier 10 last time he found himself in a slowly run race and couldn't get into it from his position. He still ran well against the race shape and now returns to his happy hunting ground where the race will be run to suit. #5 Horsepower presents an interesting proposition as he tests himself over 1200m for the first time. He's thriving with three wins from four locally and will be finishing strongly late. #1 Aurora Lady will map perfectly from barrier 1 off a strong tempo, as seen two starts ago when a fast finishing second to Beauty Destiny, and back up to 1200m is key to his chances. #2 Glory Elite was a strong winner second time around the city circuit last start, leading from start to finish over 1000m. He will try to lead again and the extra 200m holds no fears, though the map shows he'll face more early pressure.