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

My Wish
8.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Talents Ambition
9.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

Masterofmyuniverse
9.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Trainer Mark Newnham takes early aim at next month’s Derby when sending worthy contender My Wish for his final prep in the 1m1f Hong Kong Classic Cup (8.05) on a challenging ten-race card at Sha Tin.

In a later race, Newnham also tests his second string for the Derby in Talents Ambition, who takes the handicap route, bidding to earn a rating high enough for entry to local racing’s top race. He is the one to beat in the Class 3 handicap (9.15) over 1m2f.

My Wish is by the smart Australian sprinter Flying Artie and any pretensions to stamina come from his dam, who could stay 1m5f, but the style of his four wins this season suggests he should get this trip without any bother. He is the highest-rated of the 14 runners.

He won the Classic Mile well for Luke Ferraris, sitting handy to the leaders and taking advantage of the pace slackening past half-way. Runner-up Divano flew home late after being dropped out, as too did Mickley (fifth), and they both reoppose with strong claims.

Joao Moreira is back in town and rides Packing Angel, who could prove best of the five runners sent out by champion trainer Francis Lui. Although yet to race beyond 7f, he is a son of Shocking, the 2m Melbourne Cup winner, and still has improvement to come.

Other major players in an open race are Andrea Atzeni’s mount Noisy Boy, Packing Hermod with Blake Shinn aboard, as well as the ex-Coolmore Australia four-year-old Cap Ferrat, to be partnered by Craig Williams.

Shinn, who ride rode Newnham’s first winner as a trainer back in Australia, takes the mount on the trainer’s Talents Ambition, who has drawn awkwardly in stall 12 from the 1m2f start but has the class to land Race Nine. 

The gelding has an American pedigree and has had several runs in Hong Kong on dirt but he also shows plenty of ability on the turf and is set to win his Derby entry. Sharpen Bright is capable of running into a place.

Ryan Moore continues to be popular with local owners and punters alike, and should conclude another lucrative day by landing the finale, the Class 3 6f handicap sprint (9.50) on the John Size-trained Masterofmyuniverse.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.00
10 Sight Dreamer
12 Lucky Fionn

7.35
3 Precision Goal
11 Spangle Fortune

8.05
1 My Wish
11 Packing Angel

8.40
4 Young Champion
5 Dancing Code

9.15
2 Talents Ambition
10 Sharpen Bright

9.50
1 Fast Network
5 Masterofmyuniverse

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 5am

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