Selections and analysis for Wednesday's (16 Feb) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #6 Viva Chef, #12 Raging Blaze, #3 Red Brick Glory, #5 Sure Winner
Race 2: #4 Exceptional Nice, #3 Above, #8 Blastoise, #9 Vincy
Race 3: #1 Gracylove, #5 Lucky Quality, #3 Wind Speeder, #2 Spontaneous
Race 4: #6 Let's Do It, #1 The Runner, #5 Excellent Chariot, #10 Wild West Wing
Race 5: #1 Birdsville, #3 Circuit Booming, #8 Happy Profit, #7 Universal Go Go
Race 6: #4 Villa Fionn, #2 More Than Enough, #1 Loyal Baby, #10 Red Brick Fighter
Race 7: #2 Seaweed Fortune, #6 Bulletproof, #8 Go For Tea, #10 Big Two
Race 8: #8 Eason, #3 Elon, #2 Be Ready, #4 Beauty Champ
Race 9: #9 Ready Player One, #2 Soulmate, #5 Gallant Crown, #8 Storm Legend 

Race 1: Walnut Handicap 

#6 Viva Chef appeals in the opener. He's returned to a competitive mark and his pairing with Karis Teetan commands respect. Expect a big run. #12 Raging Blaze is closing in on a first win. He does a fair bit wrong, but he can be a factor here with no weight and Zac Purton engaged. #3 Red Brick Glory has claims. He caught the eye from the rear of the field last start. #5 Sure Winner is improving. He was sound first-up and is expected to take another step forward here. 

Race 2: Fountain Palm Handicap 

#4 Exceptional Nice gets another chance here. He's nothing short of consistent and is most deserving of a first win here. Strong booking of Zac Purton signals intent from the stable. #3 Above is after back-to-back wins over this course and distance. He's a threat over these trips, especially as a six-time winner in Hong Kong. #8 Blastoise slots in light. He steps away favourably from gate five. #9 Vincy is competitive in his spot. He has claims with the in-form Harry Bentley taking over. 

Race 3: Larch Handicap (1st Section) 

#1 Gracylove steps down in grade. His last run in Class 4 resulted in a win and it wouldn't surprise to see him do the same again. He just needs to offset the wide draw, but Zac Purton's services give him every chance. #5 Lucky Quality has returned to a competitive mark. He's hitting form and gate one should ensure he gets the run of the race. #3 Wind Speeder is beginning to hit his straps. He's a threat as he continues to improve. #2 Spontaneous is down in grade. Don't discount from gate three. 

Race 4: Cedar Handicap (1st Section) 

#6 Let's Do It has shown a bit of class at times. He owns a powerful finish, and this contest appears winnable for him from the good gate with light weight. David Hall's stable is firing at the minute. #1 The Runner has the class edge. He's in superb form and only needs to offset the big weight here. #5 Excellent Chariot has been without luck a few times. He'll be finishing fast here under Matthew Chadwick. #10 Wild West Wing is competitive in his spot. He's favoured with no weight on his back. 

Race 5: Larch Handicap (2nd Section) 

#1 Birdsville has the class and is coming to hand in Hong Kong. He can make the most of the step down to Class 4 here. He's on the steady improve and Zac Purton's booking commands plenty of respect. #3 Circuit Booming did well to score from the front last start. He can take another step forward here, although he will need to offset the tricky draw. #8 Happy Profit mixes his form but should get a nice run from the inside draw. #7 Universal Go Go should too be able to sit close in the run. He's favoured from gate one. 

Race 6: Spruce Handicap (2nd Section) 

#4 Villa Fionn is racing well. He gets another chance from the inside draw here, especially as a course and distance winner two starts ago. #2 More Than Enough has the wide gate to overcome. Still, he should roll forward under Karis Teetan and press for the lead. #1 Loyal Baby is ultra-consistent. He rarely runs a bad race and gets his chance again. #10 Red Brick Fighter slots in light and draws favourably. He closed off nicely last start and the step up in distance looks a positive. 

Race 7: Spruce Handicap (1st Section) 

#2 Seaweed Fortune won well three runs back. He's holding his condition and from gate one he should get the run of the race. One to beat. #6 Bulletproof is looking to snap consecutive runner-up finishes. He's holding his condition and pairs favourably with Zac Purton. Gate 10 is the only concern. #8 Go For Tea has sprung into form. He turned heads last start with an eye-catching fourth. #10 Big Two has the ability. He's a strong chance for Lyle Hewitson who is riding out of his skin right now. 

Race 8: Cedar Handicap (2nd Section) 

#8 Eason has hit the ground running in Hong Kong with one win from three starts. He's holding his condition and his ascent looks far from over. Expect a big run with the light weight. #3 Elon is a three-time winner this term. He's an incredibly versatile customer who rarely does anything wrong. #2 Be Ready does his best racing over this course and distance. He's a player in his spot. #4 Beauty Champ has more ability than his record suggests. He can bounce back from a lacklustre effort at the tail of the field last start. 

Race 9: Cypress Handicap 

#9 Ready Player One looks capable and ready to win now with three runs under his belt. He showed plenty of ability prior to export and last start he was hindered in the straight. He can turn it around here. Strong booking of Vincent Ho. #2 Soulmate should find the front and try to run them along here under Zac Purton. He'll look the winner for a long way. #5 Gallant Crown loves the course and distance. He's bounced back to his best. #8 Storm Legend is on the improve. Don't discount.