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

Magic Control 
5.30am Sha Tin
2pts win

Voyage Bubble 
8.05am Sha Tin
2pts win

Juneau Pride 
8.40am Sha Tin
2pts win

Ka Ying Rising, arguably the world’s best sprinter, takes a journey into the unknown as he aims for his tenth win on the trot in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (7.00), over 7f, at Sha Tin. 

The David Hayes-trained four-year-old boasts an impressive 10-12 record, having been kept to 6f for his entire career, and this marks an important step up in distance. Hayes is not concerned about the extra furlong, believing that in time the gelding might even get a mile. 

But apart from stretching out in trip, Ka Ying Rising also has a change of jockey. Karis Teetan steps in to substitute for sidelined Zac Purton, who was injured in a three-horse pile-up two weeks ago. Teetan rode him to win the Sha Tin Vase last June.  

To make it a little more challenging, Ka Ying Rising has drawn the outside — stall nine of nine — but Teetan is likely to follow Purton’s usual policy of going for broke by using the gelding’s natural speed early in the race.  

It is impossible to oppose Ka Ying Rising, though the John Size-trained Helios Express may find circumstances playing in favour of his powerful finish off a strong gallop. Red Lion also has place prospects as he excels over the 7f trip. 

With Romantic Warrior abroad for the Saudi Cup, his old rival Voyage Bubble gets his chance to take the honours in the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (8.05) over 1m2f. Twelve months ago, the Ricky Yiu-trained gelding fought tenaciously before going down by a neck to Romantic Warrior in the Gold Cup, which is the strongest formline. 

Blake Shinn maintains his association with Galaxy Patch, who was second to Voyage Bubble in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup last month.

Earlier on the card, Shinn is expected to make a big difference when he takes over on straight course specialist Magic Control, who takes a welcome drop in grade when contesting the Class 2 5f handicap (5.30). Awkwardly drawn in stall two, he is still the one to beat, with Bottomuptogether as the danger. 

John Size is pressing his claim for another trainers’ title and the progressive Juneau Pride can give him a valuable win in the 7f handicap (8.40). The three-year-old was second to the well-regarded Light Years Charm over course and distance last time out. Joy Of Spring has been trialing well and is next best.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.00
1 Ka Ying Rising
4 Helios Express 

7.35
4 Gold Master
8 Sunday’s Serenade 

8.05
1 Voyage Bubble
2 Galaxy Patch

8.40
5 Joy Of Spring
8 Juneau Pride 

9.15
10 Yuen Long Elite
11 Brilliant Express 

9.50
4 Lucky Eight
14 Yee Cheong Glory 

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 5.00am

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