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

Ka Ying Rising
7.30 Sha Tin
2pts win

Romantic Warrior
8.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

Master Mastermind
9.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

It’s a day for Hong Kong to parade its best in preparation for the big international meeting at Sha Tin on December 8, and there should be a steady flow of favourites going in with conspicuous regularity on this important 11-race card. 

This is Hong Kong’s equivalent to Arc trials day at Longchamp. Three races at set weights, three weeks in advance of the showcase meeting at which the local champions will be primed to come up against an assortment of the world’s best over 6f, a mile and 1m2f. 

Consequently, Sunday's key races are over those distances and regarded as the perfect dress rehearsal. And none of Ka Ying Rising, Galaxy Patch and Romantic Warrior are expected to fluff their lines. 

The main focus will be on Romantic Warrior in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (8.40), over 1m2f, his first race since a memorable win in the Yasuda Kinen, at Tokyo in June. Trainer Danny Shum has given him three barrier trials, all well-spaced, for a comeback run in which he towers over his opposition. 

When Romantic Warrior travelled to Australia last year, he was badly short on fitness after a long layoff when beaten into fourth in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Alarm bells sounded and Shum poured the work into him, leaving him spot on for the Cox Plate, in which he just beat Mr Brightside. 

There is nothing of that calibre in this race so although he will come on for the run, he should still win. Ensued, who is on the improve, looks his main danger, while rivals such as stablemates Five G Patch and La City Blanche, and even Encountered, will be looking more toward the 1m4f Vase next month. 

James McDonald, who partners Romantic Warrior, looks set for a successful day, as he can also win the Class 3 7f handicap (9.15) aboard the David Hayes-trained Master Mastermind, while he also has a great chance on the Caspar Fownes-trained Family Jewel in the Class 3 1m2f handicap (7.00). 

Hayes has grand plans for the ultra-smart Ka Ying Rising, who should oblige in the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint (7.30), over 6f, despite drawing wide in stall ten. He's a potential champion but California Spangle and Victor The Winner will ensure he has a real hit-out. 

Galaxy Patch is the other local star expected to win tomorrow, in the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile (8.05), but Voyage Bubble, ridden by McDonald, is a threat.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.00
9 Californiatotality
10 Family Jewel

7.30
1 California Spangle
4 Ka Ying Rising

8.05
1 Voyage Bubble
5 Galaxy Patch

8.40
1 Romantic Warrior
8 Ensued

9.15
1 Johannes Brahms
6 Master Mastermind

9.50
1 Packing Power
5 Divano

2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 4.30am

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