Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath has three selections at Sha Tin

Right As Rain
7.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

Majestic Knight
8.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Beautyverse
9.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

The tide may be turning for Harry Bentley, who has picked up an attractive ride on the Douglas Whyte-trained Majestic Knight in the Class 3 6f sprint handicap (8.05) at the Christmas Eve meeting at Sha Tin.

Bentley has ridden five winners from 137 rides (3.65 per cent) this season, which on paper is disappointing, particularly as included among that tally is a treble on the showcase day that saw Zac Purton win seven races.

You might have expected a renewed surge of interest in the British jockey, leading to better opportunities, but that didn’t materialise. In fairness, Bentley is still riding well and few, if any, of his losers could be attributed to lack of assistance from the saddle.

It is therefore significant that Whyte, a 13-times local champion jockey, has booked Bentley for Majestic Knight, who put the writing on the wall at his most recent outing when finishing strongly for second over 5f.

The four-year-old hacked up over course and distance for Lyle Hewitson in May, with the wide-margin win leading to a 10lb rise and a class promotion, yet he still looks well ahead of the handicapper on previous decent Australian form against strong opposition. Brilliant Way is his danger.

Right As Rain is still to win after 12 starts, but he is tipped to lose his maiden status in the Class 4 1m2f handicap (7.35), in which Hugh Bowman is a first-time booking for the New Zealand-bred five-year-old.

He ran home powerfully but failed to get up on his only attempt at the trip, but drawn in stall four he should be handily placed throughout and can break through. Kungfumaster Panda, a proven stayer, is the obviously main threat in an intriguing contest.

Tony Cruz’s Derby contender Beautyverse is on a recovery mission in the Class 2 1m handicap (9.45) following a poor second run in Hong Kong when there were excuses. Previously, this South Australian Derby winner has made all from a wide draw.

Significantly, with Purton aboard again, this time he wears a hood to help him settle, but it is nevertheless a decent race in which the progressive Packing Treadmill, with Bowman in the saddle, has strong claims.