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

Divano  
9.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Justifying  
9.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

Light Years Charm 
10.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Lightly weighted Divano can steal the thunder from another crack four-year-old Rubylot in the Class 1 7f Healthy Community Handicap (9.10) on an interesting 11-race card at Sha Tin on Sunday.

David Hayes’s innovative streak came to the fore when he declared Rubylot for a race well short of his optimum trip these days and only two weeks away from the Group 1 QEII Cup over 1m 2f. 

The trainer’s reasoning was there were no superstars likely to line up and he needed to give the gelding a solid hit-out to have him spot on for his main objective. He had been contemplating a barrier trial, with less pressure but no prize-money. 

It may work in his favour as there will be plenty of pace, with Drombeg Banner and Andrea Atzeni sure to go straight to the front and 10lb claimer Britney Wong keen to hold her ground from stall one on Invincible Sage. 

Rubylot won the 1m 1f Classic Cup but a lack of pace in the middle stages caught him out in both the Classic Mile (sixth) and the Derby (fifth). His record over 7f is good but what he is attempting should be viewed in the context of his QEII plan. 

Francis Lui is rightly proud of Divano, who is 4-13 with six minor placings, including a strong-finishing second to My Wish from a terrible draw in the Classic Mile. With Angus Chung claiming 3lb, he will carry only 8st, which will swing it in his favour. Taj Dragon is next best. 

David Eustace continues in great form and Light Years Charm, one of his talented young recruits, can keep the ball rolling in the Class 3 7f handicap (10.50). The four-year-old is reunited with Zac Purton, who was aboard when he hacked up in early February. 

He meets another with a similarly promising profile in Hong Lok Golf, who impressed when getting the better of Sky Jewellery, who has since franked the form emphatically. Endeared is next best in a cracking finale to the card. 

Two races earlier, the unbeaten three-year-old Justifying will be a short price to make it two wins on the bounce in the Class 3 5f handicap (9.40). He has gone up 11lb in the ratings and been promoted a grade, yet he should still win.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

8.05
8 With A Smile
11 Zetta Force 

8.40
3 Harold Win
7 Quick Contribution 

9.10
6 Rubylot 
9 Divano 

9.40
10 Justifying
11 Aurora Patch 

10.15
6 Packing Hurricane 
12 Gold Master 

10.50
3 Hong Lok Golf 
4 Light Years Charm 

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 5.30am.

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