Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three Wednesday picks at Sha Tin

Gallant Hero
1.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

Handsome Twelve
3.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

Self Improvement
3.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Zac Purton looks set to clean up as racing switches to the all-weather track at Sha Tin in a break from the usual midweek routine in Hong Kong.

All eight races are on dirt and Purton has typically chosen well, with his full book of rides headed by course, distance and surface specialist Handsome Twelve in the Class 2 1m½f handicap (3.15).

Handsome Twelve, who had useful form on country tracks in Australia, is 4-22 in Hong Kong and significantly all his wins have come when ridden by Purton over this sort of trip on dirt, albeit in lower grades. However, measuring up at this level is not an issue as the six-year-old has also been placed on the all-weather in Class 1 and 2 company without winning. From stall seven, with the six-time champion in the saddle, this is his chance to break through.

Dangers are difficult to find, though Rise Brethren looks to have claims. The five-year-old was runner-up in the 2021 Britannia at Royal Ascot when trained by Joseph O’Brien and shaped well on his only start on dirt, finishing a creditable fourth in a similar contest to this.

The David Hall-trained Gallant Hero is another major chance for Purton in the Class 4 handicap (1.15), despite drawing the car park in gate 14 on his first start of the season. The five-year-old has been a massive improver, winning his last three starts, building up steadily in distance to 1m3f.

That said, he won his only outing on dirt and looks to have really come to himself following a period of acclimatisation, so he could be just as effective at the 1m½f trip. Lyle Hewitson and Douglas Whyte combine with Boom Alliance who has twice been placed on the dirt and took the eye when running on strongly last time. With a light weight and a good draw, he could be the danger.

Also, save something for Purton in the finale when he partners the Manfred Man-trained Self Improvement in the Class 3 6f handicap (3.50). The four-year-old son of Deep Field impressed when winning at this track and trip last time and has the class to overcome a tricky draw (12).

Sha Tin Placepot perm

1.15
2 Gallant Hero
12 Boom Alliance

1.45
4 Stand Up
8 Red Desert

2.15
4 Magic Supreme
9 Cool Blue

2.45
3 Adefill
12 Captain Win

3.15
9 Handsome Twelve
11 Rise Brethren

3.50
4 Self Improvement
9 Everyone’s Victory

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Sha Tin on Wednesday is at 12.15pm.

Sha Tin card

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