Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three selections at Sha Tin on Sunday

Beauty Waves
6.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Family Jewel
9.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

Master Mastermind
10.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Trainer Pierre Ng hopes to start the new season as he means to carry on, sending out lightly weighted Beauty Waves to win the 6f HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (6.50), the feature of an interesting ten-race card at Sha Tin.

Admittedly, the Irish import must first overcome a young horse many have tipped as a budding champion in Ka Ying Rising, who is burdened with 9st 9lb and faces a hefty 15-point rise in the ratings for a Group 3 handicap win in June.

This, too, is a handicap, and that is the key to an intriguing contest. The question is can the David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising give a promising type such as Beauty Waves 20lb, especially when the latter recently won a barrier trial and has clearly been primed to make his mark first time out?

I don’t think he can, and at the odds, my preference is for Beauty Waves, who will be partnered by ever-reliable Alexis Badel from an attractive draw in stall two. Ka Ying Rising has also trialled well but the weight difference could be telling.

Another in the mix is the David Hall-trained Flying Ace, so often the bridesmaid at the highest level yet smart enough to persistently worry the big guns, and he has a significant pull in the weights with Ka Ying Rising, who got the better of him in the Sha Tin Vase in June.

Caspar Fownes has his usual selection of up-and-comers, which includes the lightly raced Family Jewel, who can open his account at the third time of asking in the Class 4 7f handicap (9.35), in which he will be ridden by Vincent Ho.

Family Jewel, a New Zealand-bred by Time Test, made up enormous ground from an unpromising position when fourth over course and distance in July.  Both his runs to date have hinted at ability and this is a good starting point for his career to blossom. Prince Alex is the value for multiples.

David Hayes is optimistic of a good season and four-year-old Master Mastermind may prove a prolific winner for him, starting with the Class 4 6f handicap sprint (10.10). Seven-time champion Zac Purton has regained the ride and despite a wide draw (11), he looks a solid bet.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.55
1 California Deeply
5 Super Bonus

8.30
1 Jumbo Legend
3 Fighting Machine

9.00
4 Superb Boy
5 Karma

9.35
7 Family Jewel
10 Prince Alex

10.10
5 Harold Win
6 Master Mastermind

10.45
2 Kaholo Angel
7 Moduleconstruction

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 5.50am

Sha Tin card

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