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

Mickley 
8.05am Sha Tin
2pts win

Colourful King 
8.35am Sha Tin
2pts win

Another World 
9.45am Sha Tin
2pts win

Mickley must rank as arguably the unluckiest horse in training, but can reverse the trend by taking the keenly contested Class 2 1m handicap (8.05) on an 11-race card at Sha Tin in unusual circumstances. 

There'll be no Zac Purton, no Vincent Ho, the two highest-profile jockeys in Hong Kong, while Angus Chung and Keith Yeung will be missing as well. It's the aftermath of two terrible falls a week ago when the four riders were injured and they are expected to be out for multiple weeks. 

Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle have responded to the SOS for jockeys to fill the gap in the depleted ranks short term. Ryan Moore, Richard Kingscote, Ireland’s Declan McDonogh and Brisbane’s leading jockey James Orman will also be called upon in coming weeks. 

One of Doyle’s nine rides tomorrow is Romantic Thor, formerly Capulet when winning Chester’s Dee Stakes for Ballydoyle, and he's a worthy rival to the John Size-trained Mickley in a contest that may prove an important form reference as the season unfolds.  

Mickley, winner of three races including Royal Ascot’s Britannia Stakes last year for Ed Bethell, won on his second outing in Hong Kong but has been unlucky in subsequent runs when consistently denied a clear passage in transit.  

His fifth in the Classic Mile (beaten a length and a half) at his most recent start was excellent given he suffered bad interference in the home straight. His wide draw didn’t help either. Antoine Hamelin, enduring a poor season with only two winners, gets a welcome opportunity. Voyage Samurai and Karma also have claims. 

Andrea Atzeni is tipped to win the Class 3 1m handicap (9.45) — an unofficial ‘trial’ for the Classic Cup and Derby — aboard promising Another World, who faces strong opposition from Dragon Joy, Bundle Award and Embraces, all impressive in their respective recent wins. 

The Benno Yung-trained Another World, a son of Doncaster Mile (Sydney) winner Kermadec, is progressive and has the potential to go higher than his current rating. His draw (stall seven) should enable him to slot into a handy position whereas several of his rivals are drawn off the track. 

Atzeni has another great chance when partnering the David Eustace-trained Colourful King, who makes his local debut in the Class 3 5f handicap (8.35). The son of Blue Point won two races over the minimum trip at Melbourne track Sandown and here he'll have Crimson Flash and Sparkling Fellow to beat. 

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.00
1 Toy Soltero
7 Me Time 

7.35
2 Markwin
6 Packing Hurricane 

8.05
8 Mickley
10 Voyage Samurai 

8.35
4 Colourful King
7 Crimson Flash 

9.10
6 Francis Meynell
12 Lifeline Express 

9.45
4 New Future Folks
13 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 4.30am

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