Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin for night of May 17

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

Race 1: CELEBRATING TIMELESS TRADITION 1400M HANDICAP

#6 Fairy Horse settled too far back in the run last start after being slow away on his return to Class 5. He was never a winning chance from that position, but there was still merit to the effort, closing off well for seventh. He's been improving steadily in recent starts and looks ready to strike in what shapes as a wide-open Class 5 contest. #9 Almighty Kick is winless from 12 starts but hasn't had much go his way in terms of barrier draws. Since sliding down into Class 5, his form has gradually taken a turn for the better, and he's worth keeping safe. #1 Ka Ying Power has been disappointing overall but gets a few key factors in his favor here—he draws barrier 1, drops into Class 5 for the first time, and picks up a strong jockey booking with Andrea Atzeni in the saddle. This looks a suitable set-up for him to turn things around. #11 Timestorm has drawn poorly in his last three and been ridden conservatively as a result, though he hasn't been far away in the finish. He's well down in the ratings now and remains one of the more dangerous swoopers if things fall into place.

Race 2: OWNERSHIP PRIDE 1200M HANDICAP

#9 Patch of Watch turned in a closing fourth at Happy Valley last time, but it was a run full of excuses—he raced extremely ungenerously, which compromised his chances. A return to this course and distance is a big plus, where he's been in fine form this season with a win and two seconds from his last four attempts. Expect him to begin quickly, settle near the lead, and improve sharply on that last-start effort. #7 Cheer For South has found his groove at this course and distance, breaking through for his maiden win two starts ago before a solid follow-up run at Sha Tin from barrier 12, where he held third throughout. He's back at his preferred circuit and remains in the mix. #2 Hinokami Kagura resumes and is on his second Class 5 attempt—his first saw him flash home into second from well back. Though a 16-start maiden, he's trending in the right direction and looks well placed to go close. #5 Lucky Generations has been knocking on the door since dropping into Class 5, and while things haven't gone his way in two attempts, he's trialed strongly between runs—winning his heat impressively. First try at this course and trip could suit, and he shapes as a genuine improver.

Race 3: RACING HERITAGE 1200M HANDICAP

#1 Rising Force was ultra impressive winning on debut at this course and distance in late March. He showed good gate speed, as seen in his trials, and kicked strongly in the straight to win going away by two lengths. The three-year-old hasn't been pushed since—off the scene for 56 days—but has trialed just as sharply between runs and should take a power of beating again. #6 Fun N Fun Together is still chasing his maiden win after 10 starts but looks close to shedding that tag, coming off a neck second to Solid Shalaa at his second go over this track and trip. #2 Natural High broke through stylishly three runs ago from an inside draw but has had little go his way from wide gates since. Last start he was caught deep from the 800m and stuck on okay for fourth, beaten three lengths. A better barrier can see him bounce back. #3 Fortune Warrior was taken back from a wide draw last time and, while never a threat, he was closing strongly late despite finishing 11th. He typically races closer to the speed and reverting to those tactics could spark sharp improvement.

Race 4: MEMBERS' CARE@HKJC 1800M HANDICAP

#2 Oriental Smoke has been bursting to win another race since dropping back into Class 4, collecting four placings from his past five starts. This shapes as a wide-open contest with multiple chances, and the market should reflect that—he presents a solid each-way shout once more. #4 Volcanic Spark shares a similar profile, also building toward another win since returning to Class 4 and sliding slightly in the ratings. He hasn't been quite as consistent as others but has the ability to be a factor in a race like this. #6 Ace War is an interesting runner back at this course and distance, where his best effort came three starts ago with a strong third behind Gold Master. His two subsequent runs had excuses, and as a four-year-old with upside, he shapes as a genuine knockout chance at odds. #5 Youth Power is hard to catch—as his three wins from 20 starts suggest—but if he can replicate his last-start win over this course and trip, where he scored by more than a length, he's firmly in the mix again.

Race 5: THE BEIJING CLUBHOUSE CUP (HANDICAP)

#3 Heroic Master lines up for his second attempt in Class 4, and there was more merit to his debut run in the grade than the finishing position suggests. Over this distance at Happy Valley, he was crowded at the 700m before being further steadied, eventually finishing ninth, beaten just over two lengths. A promising trial between runs, coupled with the fact this is not the strongest Class 4, gives him every chance to bounce back into winning contention. #1 Fun Elite drops in grade and warrants plenty of respect—he's a two-time winner from seven starts in Class 4 and has been holding his own in recent runs at the foot of Class 3 behind the likes of Triumphant More and Lifeline Express, which reads well here. #2 Amazing Fun resumes off a lengthy injury-enforced break. He won well on debut over this course and distance before failing to fire on the all-weather second-up, and was subsequently sidelined. Fresh back at the track and trip of his debut win, he's one to watch. #6 Leading Article is first-up following a luckless debut where he was held up badly over the final stages but looked to have more to offer. He may need this run but is one to follow as he progresses.

Race 6: THE HILLTOP IN THE VALLEY 1200M HANDICAP

#1 Aurora Patch drops into Class 4 for the first time and looks primed to break through after a series of encouraging runs in stronger company, including placings behind Horsepower and La Forza, and most recently a close-up fifth to Masterofmyuniverse. A sharp trial win between runs suggests he's in top order and ready to take full advantage of the class relief. #4 Come Fast Fay Fay debuted over 1000m and was slow into stride but made up good late ground to finish seventh, beaten under two lengths. The three-year-old looks suited by the step up in trip and should show improvement second-up. #7 Lucky McQueen has trialed smartly ahead of his debut, and while he'll improve with race experience, he appears forward enough to figure first time out. #10 Club Ace has been a touch disappointing overall but has placed in three of his seven starts. His last-start third to Lucky Symphony had merit, closing off well despite being held up for a run late, and he's worth another look here.

Race 7: THE MEMBERS CUP (HANDICAP)

#10 Mr Energia turned in a fast-finishing fourth at this course and distance when resuming 28 days ago, beaten just half a length. That was only his second attempt in Class 3 and confirmed he's up to the level. A solid tick-over trial between runs suggests he's poised to break through. #1 Gummy Gummy hasn't won in nearly two years but is back in form with three straight placings at this track and trip. He maps to get every chance again to finally notch another win. #8 Mojave Desert didn't get the clearest run late last time but still finished just three-quarters of a length off the winner in fifth. While he's yet to win in Class 3, his form has been consistent since joining Mark Newnham's yard, and he looks competitive again. #3 Mask Rider has trialed nicely between runs, indicating he's in good shape following a wide run last start when beaten just over two lengths. With a smoother passage, he can be in the frame.

Race 8: SHA TIN CLUBHOUSE 1400M HANDICAP

#5 Quick Contribution is building towards a win and signaled he's close to breaking through with a strong last-to-third effort last start—his first try over 1400m—after being slow away. A cleaner jump here will allow him to settle closer in the run, which should boost his chances. #2 With A Smile broke through at start four after threatening in all three prior efforts in strong form races, so it was no surprise to see him get the job done despite covering ground. He remains one to follow. #1 Sugar Ball drops in grade and can't be overlooked, with two wins from seven starts in Class 4. While more of a 1200m horse on paper, his third to Light Years Charm over this course and trip four runs ago holds up well. #12 Sight Dreamer is a dark horse in this field—he's had little luck from wide gates in his past three and has only raced five times overall. His debut third as odds-on favorite behind Flash Current reads well, and if he finds a better run in transit, he could feature prominently.

Race 9: BEAS RIVER COUNTRY CLUB 1200M HANDICAP

#4 Pakistan Legacy had a torrid trip from barrier 11 last start—he jumped well and was up on the pace before being steadied back through the field. The race shape didn't help his cause, but he stuck on well under the circumstances to finish fifth, beaten only two lengths. Prior to that, he was a close second to Lady's Choice, and that form has held up. In a race where several runners emerge from the same form reference, his effort stands out and he's been knocking on the door to break his local maiden. #5 Super Infinity ran second in that same race two starts ago, closing well late, and while 1400m last time didn't suit, dropping back to 1200m is key. Expect a rebound. #8 Majestic Express also comes through that race, where he raced keenly toward the rear, was held up in the straight, and still managed to close in for sixth. He has form around Invincible Shield earlier this prep, and while winless from 12 Class 3 runs, he's consistently hinted at a breakthrough. #1 Triumphant More had little luck after covering ground throughout in that same contest and was entitled to tire—he's worth another chance from a better draw.

Race 10: SHENZHEN CENTRE 1600M HANDICAP

#9 Definitive is an interesting runner from a speed map perspective, as he looks likely to either find the front or park up on the pace without much pressure. He was sent out favorite at Happy Valley last start but was used up early from a wide draw, which told late as he faded from third in running to finish over four lengths off in seventh. He'll need to lift on his Sha Tin record, but his effort here three starts ago was solid, so there's reason to be forgiving. #7 Star Mac was an unlucky fourth behind Family Jewel last time, held up for much of the straight before closing off well. He doesn't win out of turn but has been consistently in the finish, including a couple of third-place efforts in good form races that hold him in good stead here. #11 Magnificent Nine remains an 18-start maiden in Class 3 but has placed eight times in the grade, including in his past three since breaking through in Class 4 four runs back. His consistency and expected position in running make him hard to ignore. #12 Ching has slid down the ratings since last winning 321 days ago. He's had excuses in some recent efforts and, in a race of this nature, could be an each-way play at a price.