Beauty looks a beast of a bet to seize some Cotai glory

Go Beauty Go
9.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

One of the many ways in which Hong Kong racing differs from its British and Irish counterpart is that jockeys aren’t allowed to use agents.

Networking to secure plum mounts is a crucial part of the job, but choosing the wrong option is an occupational hazard for top riders and Zac Purton might regret being aboard Famous Warrior rather than Go Beauty Go in Sha Tin’s Cotai Handicap at 9.05.

Purton partnered both horses last time out and looks to have opted for the lightly raced Famous Warrior, who promises to be strong favourite in blinkers for the first time after chasing home an all-the-way winner partnered by 10lb claimer Victor Wong here two weeks ago.

He’s clearly a leading player in a race with a lot less depth than most Hong Kong handicaps, but he hasn’t always looked an easy ride and Go Beauty Go looks a tempting alternative after running very well to chase home another pillar-to-post Wong winner on the same card.

Go Beauty Go had dropped to a good mark before that race and came back to his best in running on strongly. This slightly longer trip will suit and the fact that leading claimer Matthew Poon could secure a soft lead from a low draw suggests he’s well worth a bet at 3-1 or bigger.

The fact that a new rider like Wong is active in all the first six races is instructive as to how trainers value his hefty allowance and early birds might find it worth keeping an eye on Lunar Zephyr (6.00), Sweet Bean (6.30) and Elusive State (7.00).

But, in the spirit of tipping horses who perform once Western viewers are out of their pyjamas, Calculation and Bravo Watchman are the two others to note.

Calculation progressed well when known as Drake Passage under the care of John Oxx and has since made his name as a likeable and consistent front-runner at various trips in HK.

He looks just the sort to go well again under a feather weight in the feature Hong Kong Macau Trophy at 9.35, while Bravo Watchman has a fine record over Sha Tin’s straight 1000m track under Joao Moreira and appeals as a leading player in a very hot sprint at 10.10.

Members can read the latest exclusive tipping content such as Pricewise and Paul Kealy from 8pm daily on racingpost.com