Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin the night of Oct. 25

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

Race 1: PANASONIC AIR-CONDITIONER HANDICAP

#1 Yiu Cheung Victory has shown little on paper, but there was merit in his latest run when finishing close up in ninth. He now drops to Class 5 for the first time, lands a soft draw in barrier 3, and gains the services of Purton, which all point to improvement. #5 Gold Tack can take a step forward from his first-up run when giving away a sizeable start over the extended mile, encountering traffic in the straight, yet still finding the line well for fifth. The rise to 1800m is ideal, though the wide gate is not. #7 Smashing Express looks better placed back up to 1800m, having finished third at the course and distance two starts ago before finding the mile a touch sharp last time. #2 Celestial Harmony is on the quick back-up and could appreciate stretching out in trip for his second attempt in Class 5.

Race 2: PANASONIC TV HANDICAP

#8 Winning Champion gets every chance from barrier 1 to make amends against a few familiar rivals. His first-up effort was strong when closing late for second behind Motor after beginning only fairly, while his close-up sixth to Alabama Song two runs back also carried merit after covering ground. He's since trialed impressively and looks ready to deliver. #2 Alabama Song is a progressive three-year-old from the John Size stable who rounded out last season with a lasting maiden win over several of these and appears headed for better things this campaign. #1 Motor broke through impressively first-up with blinkers added and, drawn well again in barrier 4, should get every chance in the run. #3 Ever Luck has shown ability in his trials and, while the outside draw makes things tricky, the Newnham-trained youngster looks one to follow moving forward.

Race 3: PANASHOP HANDICAP

#1 Do Your Part is ready to strike after a tough second, where he jumped awkwardly from barrier 12 and was trapped wide throughout, yet still stuck on gamely. He draws far better in gate 4 this time, which gives him every chance to go one better. #3 Goldentronicmighty resumes and appears primed for a bold first-up showing. He possesses solid form, including a win over the promising Invincible Ibis four starts back, and with a more favorable draw than he had late last season, he gets his chance. #2 Aerovolanic produced a big run just last week when eased to last before launching into fourth. A soft draw here should allow him to settle closer and be in the finish. #5 Jubilant Star made a bright debut when second to Oldtown, who was ridden by Zac Purton, and with Purton now jumping aboard after trialing the horse prior to debut, he is a contender.

Race 4: PANASONIC SMART LOCK HANDICAP

#5 Pearl of Pang's has done well to finish in the placings in both runs this preparation, despite covering ground. He looks ready to peak third-up, and with a more economical run expected this time, he's capable of bouncing back. #8 Bull Attitude landed a well-supported win at his first try over this trip, enjoying a dream run from an inside gate. He draws wider in barrier 10 this time, which could see a different race shape unfold. #2 The Heir draws to get a far kinder run from barrier 3 than he did from gate 11 last start, and that should help him return to the form that saw him win and then charge home for second in his prior two starts. #10 Serangoon is an interesting watch, and while he may be looking for further than a mile, the engagement of Zac Purton catches the eye.

Race 5: PANASONIC RICE COOKER HANDICAP

#1 Mr Cool boxed on for fourth first-up in a race that suited backmarkers and was likely in need of the run. He's since impressed in a trial, storming from last to first, and looks ready to win. #7 Decision Link is trending the right way after two solid 1200m runs, the latest when taken back from a wide gate before closing off well. He now draws barrier 1 and steps up in trip, both positives. #6 Amazing Fun draws better in gate 4 and should get his chance after being held up when beaten less than two lengths into seventh last start. The Purton booking adds confidence. #2 Beauty Glory ran on strongly for fifth first-up before overdoing it in front second-up and fading to fourth. Both efforts were sound and keep him in the mix.

Race 6: THE PANASONIC CUP (HANDICAP)

#4 Hong Lok Golf produced a solid third first-up in a muddling run race and should relish the rise to 1600m. He maps to settle in a handy spot in a field lacking early speed, which could prove crucial. His trial between runs was only fair, but race conditions should suit him better this time. #3 Bundle Award was terrific last season, winning four from 11 between 1400m and 2400m, and with seemingly more to come. This looks like a starting point for bigger targets ahead, though his class alone makes him a key player while fresh. #8 Steps Ahead ran second in the same race as Hong Lok Golf and again maps for a favorable run on the speed. #2 Rubylot has a wide draw and big weight to contend with, but can improve on his first-up fifth to My Wish, where he ran on late in typical fashion.

Race 7: PANASONIC VITALIFT HANDICAP

#2 Gentlemen Legacy is a talented horse on the rise who, despite missing as the favorite first-up, produced a strong second over 1800m after settling well back. He looks very hard to beat second-up with the step to 2000m expected to suit perfectly. #1 Bravehearts profiles well third-up at his preferred track and trip, and a low draw should see him enjoy an ideal run. It's also difficult to overlook any Mark Newnham-trained runner given the stable's strong recent form. #7 Winning Wing showed little early pace first-up over the mile before running on nicely into sixth, and with extra distance here, he's set to improve. #5 Enthralled should also take good benefit from his first-up run, stepping up in trip and drawing an inside gate this time after jumping from the extreme outside previously.

Race 8: THE PREMIER BOWL (HANDICAP)

#9 Divano is a tricky horse to catch, but worth a look at odds from the inside gate. He flashed home for third behind Ka Ying Rising first-up before drawing wide second-up over 1400m, where he was ridden cold and never got clear running in the straight. His trial between runs was sharp, and 1200m may prove his ideal trip. #1 Helios Express needs no introduction as the ‘second-best sprinter' behind Ka Ying Rising after finishing runner-up to him five times last season. He'll be using this as a springboard to bigger targets, but will power home late. #5 Packing Hermod reunites with Purton and returns to 1200m, which looks like the right move. His recent trial behind Divano was excellent, and he maps well to get his chance. #8 Wunderbar strips fitter second-up after an okay run over 1000m and looks suited stepping to 1200m, especially if ridden more patiently this time.

Race 9: TECHNICS HEADPHONES HANDICAP

#2 Fast Responder was luckless second-up when badly checked at the 500m, costing him the chance to show his best. His first-up run was full of merit when finishing a close second, and he gets every opportunity to rebound here. #4 Casa of Honor continues to improve with racing and ran a strong fourth first-up over this track and trip. He should take another step forward, second up. #1 Wonderstar proved a class above when winning comfortably over this field on debut down the straight. He drew barrier 9 that day, and while he now moves to gate 2, which affects his map, his form makes him hard to dismiss. #9 Chill Buddy is a work in progress, but his first-up fifth in the same race behind Wonderstar was encouraging, and he looks capable of further improvement.

Race 10: PANASONIC WASHER DRYER HANDICAP

#7 Dazzling Fit is a horse on the rise for David Eustace, and the stable will be hopeful he can make his mark in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series this season. Winning two of five last term, he really came into his own once stretching out to 1400m. He resumes from barrier 1, which looks ideal on paper, though his racing pattern could find him awkwardly placed turning for home. #4 Top Dragon has race fitness on his side, and his first-up third to Max Que was full of merit after bounding out and making up plenty of ground late, strong form for this. #9 Armour War Eagle can settle much better from an inside draw after over-racing and weakening out of it last start. Some gear tweaks should help him bounce back. #8 Endeared looks better suited returning to 1400m from 1600m and maps for a soft run from barrier 4.