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

Charity Gain
7.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

Romantic Son
8.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

Wunderbar
9.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Highly regarded Wunderbar, who stands out in the Class 2 6f handicap (9.50), heads a clutch of smart horses lining up on a high-quality ten-race Sha Tin card at the last meeting before Christmas.

John Size’s four-year-old is 6-8, with second placings on both occasions he suffered defeat, but his main claim to fame is in having twice beaten Hong Kong’s new sprinting star Ka Ying Rising.

Wunderbar is now rated 98, which is 46lb higher than his mark just over 13 months ago, and I expect him to comfortably break into the ‘100 club’ here. But he'll still face decent competition from rapid improvers Fast Network and Bottomuptogether.

Magic Control, who defeated Wunderbar on his most recent start, was a Group 3 winner in Melbourne and is regarded as top-bracket material. Following an impressive recent barrier trial at Sha Tin, his connections are looking to the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize in April.

Fast Network was beaten into fourth on his latest start after beginning only fairly from an awkward draw on the straight five-furlong course and then striking trouble in running. He's well worth another chance with his light weight, as is Bottomuptogether, who is still improveing.

Zac Purton, back in action after giving up his rides on Wednesday because of "exhaustion", would rate Wunderbar as his best ride, although the David Hayes-trained Romantic Son would run him a close second and is the one to beat in the Class 3 6f handicap (8.40).

Romantic Son has been crying out for a crack at the more spacious Sha Tin track. He was second on his local debut at Happy Valley after losing momentum coming around the home turn, and next time out he was uncomfortable on the rain-affected going.

Drawn perfectly in stall five, he can sit in behind the pace, with chief danger Divano in his sights, before being launched in the home straight. Divano has paid the price for his easy last-start win, having been handed a 9lb hike in the ratings.

James McDonald can combine with David Eustace for another win, this time aboard the capable Charity Gain, who is perfectly suited to the Class 4 1m2f handicap (7.40). Jockey and trainer joined forces last weekend for victory with Swift Ascend.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.10
2 Happy Park
9 Flying Double

7.40
1 Charity Gain
2 Joyful Prosperity

8.10
5 Riding Together
6 Alsonso

8.40
1 Divano
5 Romantic Son

9.15
2 Lucy In The Sky
3 Johannes Brahms

9.50
2 Wunderbar
13 Fast Network

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 4.45am

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