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

Cheval Valiant
8.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

Packing Bole
9.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Charming Legend
9.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

Ten-pound claiming apprentice Britney Wong can make the most of several good rides, headed by Cheval Valiant in the 5f handicap (8.35), on another high-quality ten-race card at Sha Tin.

Wong has made an impact in her first local season, having previously gained experience in South Australia and New Zealand, where she rode over 50 winners. The 25-year-old has already proved great value for her allowance, with five winners at a 6.94 per cent strike-rate.

She rides very light and has been particularly effective on front-runners, a description which fits Cheval Valiant, provided he gets the opportunity to make use of his early speed. Last time, though, he failed to overcome a far-side draw and sat second before fading to finish fourth over course and distance.

Drawn 11 of the 14 runners here, and with 7st 11lb on his back, the Douglas Whyte-trained gelding can lead all the way up the stands' rail ahead of danger Heroic Master, who ran a respectable second to Fast Network two starts ago in November when also confronted with a challenging draw.

Wong has seven rides, which in itself is an achievement for a newcomer to the ranks, and another mount of note is the Danny Shum-trained Packing Bole in the 6f handicap (9.10), one of two races on the all-weather track.

Packing Bole is a dirt specialist, having twice won over course and distance, including on his most recent start when partnered by Jerry Chau. He has gone up 7lb in the handicap but Wong’s claim is slightly bigger than her fellow apprentice and the same tactics to make all are likely to be adopted.

Trainer Mark Newnham was quick to identify Full Credit as a dirt horse following the gelding’s second to stablemate Sing Dragon in a Class 2 at the start of the month. He has since trialled him on the surface nine days ago, and now he drops him back in grade albeit with a higher weight.

The finale (9.45) features a couple of likely contenders for the Four-Year-Old series in Markwin and Charming Legend, who finished in that order when they met in a similar contest last time.

The Shum-trained Charming Legend meets his rival 6lb better for being beaten a length and a quarter, which should be enough to reverse the placings. Both are improving rapidly and they have been drawn closer to the inside rail, which will be of assistance.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.00
2 Masterofmyuniverse
3 Newborn Miracle

7.35
3 Shanghai Style
6 Mr Energia

8.05
8 Strathpeffer
11 Dragon Four Seas

8.35
6 Heroic Master
11 Cheval Valiant

9.10
3 Full Credit
5 Packing Bole

9.45
2 Charming Legend
7 Markwin

2x2x2x2x2x2=64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 5.00am

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