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

Galaxy Patch
8.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

South Star
9.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Sunny Da Best
10.25 Sha Tin
2pts win

Zac Purton has picked up a cracking new ride on his first day back when he partners Galaxy Patch in the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (8.10) on a Sha Tin card that also features superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising. 

Purton returns after a fractured toe forced him on the sidelines for seven weeks, and with rides in nine of the ten races, he can hit the ground running. He is eager to build on his tally of 84 winners, which places him 34 ahead of nearest rival Hugh Bowman. 

Galaxy Patch has been his own worst enemy on occasions, refusing to drop the bit, and the feeling remains that he still has untapped potential. A measure of his talent was his fast-finishing second in last year’s Hong Kong Derby after dropping out early from a wide draw.

Trainer Pierre Ng is convinced that Purton is the right jockey to relax Galaxy Patch in his races. He recently trialled well under the seven-time champion and after being freshened up since his eighth in the Gold Cup last month, he should go close. 

There are several with solid chances but his most likely danger is the John Size-trained Beauty Eternal despite carrying a penalty for winning the Group 1 Champions Mile last April. The distance and draw (stall four) are going to suit him well.

Beauty Eternal was an excellent fourth in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Challenge Cup over 7f last time, finishing two lengths adrift of the brilliant Ka Ying Rising, who will be an unbackable favourite in the Group 2 Sprint Cup (9.15) to pull off his 11th consecutive win.

Purton is back in the saddle on the David Hayes-trained star, who can go straight to the front from stall six and dictate throughout. This should be a nice rehearsal for the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize on April 27. Helios Express is the logical danger.

Another good winning chance for Purton is the Chris So-trained Sunny Da Best in the 6f handicap (10.25). He looked all at sea on his first experience around Happy Valley and will be better suited back to more spacious surroundings here. 

Andrea Atzeni, who continues to be in good form, is tipped to win the 7f handicap (9.50) aboard the lightly raced South Star, who has been showing plenty of promise recently. He can be a timely winner for Frankie Lor.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

8.10
3 Galaxy Patch
5 Ensued

8.45
1 Horsepower
5 La Forza

9.15
1 Ka Ying Rising
3 Helios Express

9.50
2 Endued
3 South Star

10.25
5 Crossborderpegasus
6 Sunny Da Best

11.00
5 Magnificent Nine
8 Another World

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 5.45am.

Sign up to the Tote here. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org. Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators that our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.