Race-by-race expert analysis

Race 1 - SEVERN HANDICAP

#5 Mission Strike steps up to what should be a suitable 2,000-meter race after two promising runs over 1,800m at Happy Valley, and the switch to Sha Tin looks another positive. His last-start second to Beauty Alliance reads as a standout form reference, and he shapes as one of the key players, especially with a kind draw in barrier 2. #3 Serangoon dropped back in trip to 1,800m last time after an easy win over 2,200m the run prior, so the return to 2000m is favorable. The race shape was against him last time, and it was a better run than it reads. #11 Good Good is another who will relish the rise from 1,800m to 2,000m, where he is one from one at the course and distance. He has early speed and will be up on the pace for a long way. #6 Ace War is finding his feet since sliding down the ratings into Class 4. He showed marked improvement last start when third over 1800m, and having won up to 2,000m overseas prior to import, the extra trip should suit.

Race 2 - BARKER HANDICAP

#1 Fast Network bounced back to winning form in impressive style last start, relishing the drop back in trip after a fair effort over the mile. With just seven runners engaged here, the tempo will be pivotal, but his turn of foot stands him out as the one to beat. #3 Mid Winter Wind made a big impression with a slashing debut win, but the rise to the mile second-up didn't work out as he could only manage a fair fifth. Freshened for 42 days and trialed fairly between runs - he gets the chance to show his best again back to the sprint trip. #2 Bottomuptogether maps to lead from barrier 3 and, if left alone in front, could pinch some cheap sectionals and prove hard to reel in. However, there are a few who could apply early pressure. #7 Stellar Express has been holding form well with recent placings, including behind Bottomuptogether, and goes in as one to consider for the exotics.

Race 3 - PLANTATION HANDICAP

#3 Sea Emerald turned in a promising debut effort when working across from barrier 11 to sit outside the leader, Akashvani, who went on to win impressively. Despite showing signs of greenness, he stuck on well for second. With natural improvement, he gets his chance to go one place better second-up. #7 Ka Ying Glory receives an inside draw and the booking of Zac Purton for his debut. He has looked sharp in his trials and is expected to be well supported to make an immediate impact first-up for the David Hayes stable. #10 Jumbo Treasure looks ready for the step up to 1,200m after two solid runs over 1,000m. He was no match for Justifying last start when beaten four lengths into third, but that reads as strong form for this. #12 Loving Vibes is edging closer to a maiden win after back-to-back runner-up efforts.

Race 4 - PLANTATION HANDICAP

#4 With A Smile hasn't had much go his way in his first two starts. On debut, he was badly held up in the straight when finishing 1.5 lengths off Sky Joy in sixth, and second-up he drew wide in barrier 11, raced three-wide near the pace, and stuck on gamely to be beaten under a length by Crossborderpegasus. With a better run in transit, he looks ready to break through. #12 Bienvenue tends to get back in his races, but he continues to hint at a breakthrough. His better-than-it-reads seventh to Crossborderpegasus last time followed runner-up finishes behind Masterofmyuniverse and Sky Joy. #8 Little Paradise debuts for the Jimmy Ting yard and has been trialing well. He's shown solid early speed in his last two heats. #6 Dashing Pal outran market expectations on debut with a fast-finishing fifth to Ballistic Win, beaten just over a length.

Race 5 - THE CHAIRMAN'S TROPHY

#3 Galaxy Patch finds a much easier contest than in recent starts where Voyage Bubble has proven a tough nut to crack. His latest effort in the Gold Cup is best overlooked, as he raced too keenly and didn't settle. Back to the mile with a 35-day freshen and a sharp trial between runs, this is his chance to bounce back. #4 Chancheng Glory gave a bold sight in the Gold Cup over 2,000m, and while no match for Voyage Bubble when finishing five lengths off in third, it was another impressive effort. His tactical versatility and proven track and distance record make him one to give a sight again here. #12 Sunlight Power is thriving this season with three wins from eight. This is a tougher test against some top-tier opposition, but his explosive turn of foot makes him a contender. #5 Ensued may be a query at the trip, with his winning form coming over 1800m and beyond, but he could sneak into the finish with the right run.

Race 6 - HARLECH HANDICAP

#1 Horsepower has drawn the wrong part of the track in barrier 1 for the straight course but puts his unbeaten record on the line after two eye-catching local wins. In his favor is a strong tempo on paper, which should allow him to finish over the top as he's been doing. He's trialed well since and remains the one to beat. #5 La Forza steps into Class 3 after an impressive first-up win with blinkers on for the first time, leading from go to whoa in a comfortable 2 1/2-length victory. He looks a promising three-year-old with more to offer. #11 Circuit Jolly lost no admirers when third first-up over 1,200m on his Class 3 debut. He can improve back to this course and distance. #10 Aurora Patch is improving with more racing and turned in his best effort yet with a narrow second to Horsepower last time. He looks on the verge of a breakthrough.

Race 7 - THE SPRINT CUP

#1 Ka Ying Rising handled the rise to 1,400m with ease last time to claim his third successive Group 1 victory. He drops back in trip here and carries a 5lb penalty under Group 2 conditions, but it's hard to see that stopping the superstar. He reunites with Zac Purton, who was aboard for a recent trial in which he looked as sharp as ever. #3 Helios Express continues to be a hard-luck story, with his form defined by repeated runner-up finishes behind Ka Ying Rising - four seconds and a third. He'll be closing hard again, but he'll need the favorite to underperform to turn the tables. #4 Lucky With You has rediscovered career-best form, winning his last two starts in Class 1 with weight over some of these rivals. He meets them better at the weights now and is not without hope. #2 California Spangle needs to lift - it's been a year since his last win - but he'll give his usual front-running sight and gets suitable conditions, so a return to form can't be ruled out.

Race 8 - POLLOCK HANDICAP

#3 South Star was a luckless runner-up to Sky Jewellery last start after being hemmed up in traffic for much of the home straight. His debut effort also caught the eye, dropping back from barrier 12 before surging late into fifth. He does have a tricky gate to navigate in barrier 10, but he looks ready to win. #7 Wrote A New Page is trending in the right direction. His debut over 1,200m was a fair effort and suggested he wanted more ground, while his second-up run over 1,400m carried merit despite suffering interference at the 200m. He draws nicely in gate 4. #2 Endued is having his second attempt in Class 4 and did enough first time in the grade, when hampered at the 150m but still finishing a close-up fourth. He is unknown at 1,400m, but his form is heading the right way. #5 Max Que closed in well for second last start on his fourth outing, bouncing back from an excusable seventh. He remains in the mix, though barrier 14 is not ideal.

Race 9 - HOMESTEAD HANDICAP

#5 Crossborderpegasus chases a hat-trick of wins as he rises to Class 3 after two ultra-impressive victories to kick off his career for the John Size stable. He's still showing signs of greenness but possesses plenty of natural ability and remains the one to beat despite the stronger company. #1 Packing Power resumes from a layoff after being sidelined for the second time with internal issues. His recent trial was encouraging and suggests he may be able to recapture some of his early career form. #6 Sunny Da Best is better placed back at Sha Tin after a forgivable run at Happy Valley last time. His second-place finish to Mid Winter Wind two starts ago reads well for this. #10 Call Me Gorgeous draws his best gate yet in barrier 1 since arriving in Hong Kong and has caught the eye in several of his local runs from wide draws. Back in Australia, he raced handy when winning, so a change of tactics could be on the cards here from the inside draw.

Race 10 - LUGARD HANDICAP

#8 Another World is ready to break his Class 3 duck. After stringing together back-to-back wins in Class 4, he placed second to Derby third-placegetter Packing Angel on his first Class 3 attempt before a meritorious third in another strong form race. He has trialled well between runs and looks suited returning to 1,400m. #7 Yuen Long Elite drew wide in barrier 11 on his first try in the grade and raced keenly at the rear in a moderately run race. There was merit to his closing fifth against the race shape. #2 Charming Legend has been freshened since a weakening 12th in mid-January. His recent trial suggests he's returned in good order. #4 Spicy Gold picked up his third win of the season last start over 1,200m and now switches back to Sha Tin while rising to 1,400m for just the second time - two factors where he remains relatively unexposed.