Hong Kong tips: Jim McGrath with three Sha Tin fancies for Sunday

Whizz Kid
7.00 Sha Tin
2pts win

Pins Prince
7.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

The Irishman
8.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Francis Lui and Vincent Ho, the popular Golden Sixty team, have their eyes set on more major prizes with a new recruit, The Irishman, who can open his account locally in tomorrow’s Class 2 handicap over 1m (8.05).

The Hong Kong Derby in March is the big target – the climax of the four-year-old Classic Series – and The Irishman, who caught the eye when finishing strongly on his debut last month, is an ideal prospect.

A son of the staying influence Tavistock, The Irishman started his career in New Zealand but after making an early impact he was fast-tracked to Australia, where he won and was twice Group-placed for Mark Newnham.

Much sought-after by agents buying for Hong Kong, he surprised many by powering home first time out in second place behind Beauty Joy over 7f, giving the impression he needed a longer trip, which he gets this time.

This Class 2 race is an appetiser for the successful four-year-old series, with another noteworthy runner being last year’s New Zealand Derby winner Rocket Spade, who is now trained by Caspar Fownes.

The Fastnet Rock colt’s record at the time of export was 5-10, having proved himself competitive in three Group 1s. Setting out on the lower rungs of Class 2 is a nice starting point and he should improve again on his second local outing.

Others worthy of interest in this informative race are in-form Ima Single Man and the promising Master Delight, the latter representing the John Size-Joao Moreira combination, who also have excellent prospects with Pins Prince in the Class 4 6f sprint handicap (7.35).

Pins Prince lived up to expectations after a series of impressive barrier trials when winning on debut, but he has temporarily found his level at the top of this grade.

From stall eight he will need the breaks of the race but he has the ability. Infinity Win, also drawn awkwardly, is nevertheless the danger.

Moreira combines with Tony Cruz in the Class 4 sprint (7.00) on the straight 5f course with the overdue Whizz Kid, who, after three second places over 6f, should welcome the drop in trip. He has the speed to get the favoured stands' rail from his stall five draw.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.00am
2 Whizz Kid
11 Glenealy Generals

7.35am
1 Pins Prince
4 Infinity Win

8.05am
8 Rocket Spade
9 The Irishman

8.35am
3 Good Runner
6 Running Glory

9.10am
6 Solar Partner
10 Salutation

9.45am
3 Beauty Champ
4 Golden Link

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 bets

Bets can be placed into Sha Tin pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 5.00am.

Sha Tin Sunday card

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