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

Magic Control
9.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Patch Of Theta
9.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

Mighty Steed
10.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Vincent Ho is ready to step up a gear with an attractive book of seven rides, headed the untapped Mighty Steed in the finale, the Class 3 7f handicap (10.50), on the National Day card at Sha Tin on Tuesday.

Ho has ridden only two winners from 40 rides in the first seven meetings of the season, and the highest profile he has adopted was at Golden Sixty’s official farewell over a week ago. But he can turn the tide here with New Zealand import Mighty Steed poised to go in.

A major factor in the four-year-old’s favour is that he has been given plenty of time. He raced twice before export for a second at top track Trentham and a maiden win in the country, and he has had only two runs locally.

His last effort for third behind the well-regarded Sunlight Power over course and distance was an eyecatcher, as he came from near last and rattled home well in spite of having difficulty getting a clear run in the home straight.

Drawn in stall seven, he should be able to get some cover in the first half of the race and then finish off strongly to continue trainer Francis Lui’s bright start to the campaign.

The capable Lo Pan Spirit looks the danger, although he's drawn awkwardly in gate ten.

Ho has another excellent chance in stablemate Patch Of Theta in the Class 2 7f handicap (9.40), which is one of the features of an attractive programme.

The five-year-old has never been out of the first three in ten starts and has improved with every run.

He has gone up 8lb in the ratings for his most recent success, by two and a quarter lengths, which was the widest margin recorded in any one of his four wins. He can continue his surge to the top, although both Sunlight Power and Copartner Prance are formidable rivals.

Tipping a horse 13lb out of the handicap is normally lunacy, but the Cody Mo-trained Magic Control might prove the exception to that rule in the Group 3 5f National Day Cup (9.05). The four-year-old was highly regarded in Australia when racing as Archo Nacho, winning three from five, including a Group 3 in Melbourne. He can beat Beauty Waves and Invincible Sage.

David Eustace has his first two runners in Hong Kong, and the problematic Jumbo Fortune, a recent barrier trial winner, gives him a decent chance of a first-day victory in the Class 4 7f handicap (8.00). Karis Teetan is booked to ride.

Sha Tin Placepot

8.00
11 Jumbo Fortune
13 View Of The World

8.35
7 Storm Winner
11 Special Hedge

9.05
6 Beauty Waves
8 Magic Control

9.40
5 Patch Of Theta
8 Sunlight Power

10.15
7 Packing Power
9 My Wish

10.50
5 Lo Pan Spirit
11 Mighty Steed

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines 

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Sha Tin on Tuesday is at 6.00am.

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