Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley May 14

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

Race 1: YUE WAN HANDICAP

#9 Yeaboi has been the victim of wide barriers in both runs this prep and has finished off strongly each time against the race shape. Interestingly, this marks his first try at the course and distance, and though drawn in barrier 10, he does look ready to turn in a peak effort in what, as always, shapes as a wide-open Class 5 contest. #8 Mr Aladdin has also copped poor draws recently—barrier 11 in his past two starts—and stuck on well from that awkward alley last time to hold second, though he remains a 21-start maiden. Surely a Class 5 win is within reach. #10 Leather Master was a long-standing maiden until breaking through at his 20th attempt last start, beating Mr Aladdin over this track and trip. It was just his sixth run for the Manfred Man yard and the improvement since the stable switch suggests he's turned a corner. The margin of over a length last start bodes well for his chances again. #2 Kingly Demeanor can bounce back at any time in Class 5, boasting two wins from eight attempts in the grade. He has early speed, will roll forward, and can give a bold sight if he gets things his own way.

Race 2: CHOI WAN HANDICAP

#7 Parents' Love has hit his straps this season, collecting three wins and six placings from 11 starts, and has risen sharply in the ratings. His last run marked his first attempt in Class 3, which he took in his stride with a solid third-place finish to Horsepower. He looks likely to map well on the lead again here and gets a genuine chance to pick up a win in the grade. #1 Stellar Express has trialed well between runs and now drops back in both trip and class—two factors that could bring out his best. #4 Seasons Wit bounced back to form last start, sitting wide throughout but still charging into second behind Horsepower. If he can slot in with cover this time, which looks likely from barrier 1, he's right in the mix. #5 Looking Bright is a newcomer for the Frankie Lor yard who has trialed smartly ahead of his debut, showing good gate speed. He'll improve with the experience, but a forward showing first-up wouldn't surprise.

Race 3: WU KING HANDICAP

#5 Midori Fuji has his fifth attempt in Class 4 here and continues to improve with racing. He put the writing on the wall last start with a fast-finishing second to Happy Daily at this course and trip—a performance that suggests he's close to breaking through. #1 Sunday's Serenade is hard to knock on current form, chasing a hat-trick of wins and looking to maintain his unbeaten record at Happy Valley. Since switching from Sha Tin, where he had 10 prior starts, the city circuit has clearly brought out the best in him, though barrier 12 will prove mighty tricky to overcome. #10 Super Sicario has shown little on paper but has never drawn well in five career starts. He's caught the eye at times, and now, with a more favorable gate and a rise in distance, he could improve sharply at odds. #12 Courier Magic has been tracking along okay since moving to the Manfred Man yard—last start was moderate, but his form prior was solid enough to warrant respect, and from barrier 2, he's sure to enjoy a sweet run in transit.

Race 4: CHOI HUNG HANDICAP

#5 Soleil Fighter returns to his pet track and distance where he boasts an outstanding record of three wins and four placings from nine attempts. He was last seen resuming from a two-month break over 1400m at Sha Tin in his first try at Class 2 level, and he turned in a very promising run, finishing runner-up to Invincible Shield. He looks well placed to go one better here. #1 Helene Feeling looks primed to improve in a race of this nature following a string of solid efforts at Sha Tin, placing behind the likes of Bundle Award and Voyage Samurai. #4 Californiatotality has his second spin around the city circuit after posting his sixth career win in a strong Class 2 over 1800m last time out. He enjoys rolling forward and making his own luck and still appears to have points in hand. #3 Telecom Fighters is a hard horse to catch—as his 57/1 win price last time attests—but he'll once again be up front setting the pace and will take running down if left alone in the lead.

Race 5: TIN SAU HANDICAP

#4 Sight Happy resumed from barrier 11 last time, was taken back early, then steadied further at the 700m. He was held up for a run in the home straight and checked in just under three lengths from the winner in seventh. Second-up from a much better draw, expect a more forward showing. #1 Galaxy Witness is a fascinating runner—winless in over three years, but having once reached a peak rating of 86, he now drops into Class 4 off a mark of 60. He's been running on well in recent starts and, back in this grade, he commands attention. #3 Fortune Whiskey continues to race well this season since joining the David Eustace yard. He's done a solid job already, and his last-start third to Jolly Ruler showed he's still holding his form. #11 New Power has placed in three of his last five starts and is knocking on the door for another win—it's been nearly a year since he last saluted, but with his consistent form, he has to be around the mark again.

Race 6: TIN SAU HANDICAP

#8 Bienvenue is a three-year-old who has shown ability, though he remains a nine-start maiden heading into this. There was plenty to like about his first spin around the city circuit last time, where he closed strongly against the race shape, finishing a neck runner-up to all-the-way winner Sky Cap. #1 California Deeply drops in grade to Class 4 and, while his recent form reads moderately, he's been close up in better races. This marks a notable dip in opposition and sharp improvement is expected. #5 Incredible Moment was well found in the market on debut after a series of promising trials. He led throughout before being checked at the 100m and unbalanced, yet still finished a respectable fourth, just under three lengths away—fitness and experience should bring him on. #7 Harmony N Home, the evergreen nine-year-old, was a winner here two starts ago and backed it up with another solid effort when wide throughout behind Sovereign Fund. He remains a live chance in this.

Race 7: TIN SAU HANDICAP

#3 Swagger Bro has been improving since the drop into Class 4. Three runs ago, he drew an inside gate and finished a close-up third to Dragon Four Seas, while in his last two starts, wide barriers forced more negative tactics—yet he still closed off with purpose despite traffic issues. #7 Glory B draws perfectly in barrier 4 and has been a model of consistency this season and once again shapes as a solid hope with Hugh Bowman booked to ride. #10 Solar River is just a three-year-old, so he is more than entitled to have more up his sleeve and comes off a strong effort where he led everywhere bar the line, collared late by Fatal Blow. With natural improvement and tactical speed, he remains a leading chance. #6 Beauty Thunder produced his best run yet last start with a neck second to Stellar Swift over this course and trip. He's starting to hit his straps with racing, and a drop in the ratings can see him build on that effort.

Race 8: NAM SHAN HANDICAP

#8 Joy of Spring needs to race closer to the speed to boost his winning chances. That was the formula at the end of last season when he posted back-to-back wins by being ridden more prominently. Fourth-up here at his preferred course and distance, he draws well enough to revert to those tactics after wide alleys in his last two starts saw him snagged back and ridden for luck—both runs were strong late. #3 Excellence Value was a length behind Fallon at his first try over this course and distance last start where he had every chance from barrier 1. The four-year-old has done little wrong in six local starts and once again shapes as a serious contender. #2 Rocket Spade resumed over the extended mile from barrier 11 and was taken back early before finishing strongly into second. That was a promising effort full of merit and sets him up well second-up here. #9 Chain of Gold is a hard horse to catch but his form reads well. He's had little luck in running from wide gates at this track in his past two starts and last time closed off strongly into fifth behind Fallon—albeit four lengths adrift. He's worth including at odds.

Race 9: HOI LAI HANDICAP

#2 Crimson Flash donned the blinkers for the first time on his fifth Hong Kong start and was ultra impressive, surging home from midfield to score dominantly over Chateauneuf and King Miles—who came out and ran the quinella in the final race at Happy Valley last week. The three-year-old has hit his straps and looks worth sticking with while the iron is hot, especially after a sharp trial between runs. #1 Lucky Eight has been knocking on the door with a string of runner-up finishes, including back-to-back seconds to Beauty Infinity and Power Koepp. He deserves another chance and must be included. #3 Storm Rider has taken to Happy Valley well since being switched to this course and distance three starts ago, closing in hard on debut at the course and trip before consecutive second-place finishes. With the right run, he'll be in the thick of it again. #7 Northern Fire Ball is chasing back-to-back wins after collecting his second victory from nine starts last time. He now rises to Class 3, and while this is another level, he's progressive, though some early pressure from the likes of Sky Cap could test him—tactics will be key.