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

Gorgeous Win
8.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

The Boom Box
9.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

Glorious Success
9.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

The rise and rise of so-called ‘rookie’ David Eustace is one of the stories of the season in Hong Kong and the much-travelled Englishman can maintain his impressive strike-rate when he saddles two major chances on the 11-race card at Sha Tin. 

Of course, while Eustace is a first-season trainer locally, he is far from a rookie as he trained more than 1,000 winners — including Gold Trip in the Melbourne Cup — in partnership with Ciaron Maher in Australia before relocating.

After 40 meetings, he has sent out 12 winners from 121 runners at a strike-rate of 9.9 per cent. His stable has expanded rapidly to 68 horses, including last year's Hong Kong Derby winner Massive Sovereign and smart sprinter Victor The Winner. 

His best winning chance on Sunday is Glorious Success in the last race, the 1m½f Class 3 handicap (9.50) on dirt.

The five-year-old took nine starts in Australia to win his maiden at country track Ballarat, but significantly he was also twice placed on synthetic surfaces. 

Since arriving in his new environment, the gelding hasn't been out of the placings in three starts and caught the eye when overcoming a wide draw last time to finish a neck second to progressive Embraces over a mile on turf. He's in great form and will go close here with Karis Teetan aboard.

Record-breaker Zac Purton, who rode Glorious Success that day, prefers the Pierre Ng-trained Fighting Machine this time. Purton's mount has been second in each of his three outings on dirt and is the chief danger.

Eustace’s other major contender is Regency Happy Star, who can make light of a 7lb hike in the handicap to land the Class 5 7f handicap (5.00). The gelding broke the ice in his 23rd start and is still well ahead of the handicapper despite his low rating.

Purton has his usual share of good rides and the best is arguably Gorgeous Win in the Class 2 6f handicap (8.10). 

This consistent four-year-old has run into an in-form Raging Blizzard over course and distance on his latest two starts but he should have the edge on this field. 

Another likely short-priced winner is the Chris So-trained The Boom Box, who is tipped to retain his unbeaten record in the Class 3 6f handicap (9.15). 

Although both his wins were recorded by relatively small margins, he appeared to have something in hand and should comfortably handle this step up in grade.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.05
2 Yuen Long Elite
11 Monarch County 

7.40
5 Never Peter Out
7 Sight Supreme 

8.10
3 Gorgeous Win
5 Full Credit 

8.40
6 Sparkling Fellow
10 Cheval Valiant 

9.15
6 The Boom Box
9 Lifeline Express 

9.50
6 Fighting Machine
9 Glorious Success

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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