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

California Spangle
8.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Beauty Joy
8.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

Erimo
9.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

California Spangle can turn giantkiller when he lines up against local icon Golden Sixty in the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile (8.10), the highlight of a spectacular trials card at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Golden Sixty, who is 21 wins from 24 in a career that sets him apart as the best trained in Hong Kong, is making his seasonal debut after a seven-month layoff. Most horses running in the three Group races are having their final prep for the HKIR, the international raceday on December 11.

He has won his first run of the campaign for each of the past four seasons. However, he is opposed this time by a race-fit California Spangle, already an impressive 8-12 and the most obvious rival for his mile crown. And significantly, the young pretender receives a 5lb pull in the weights.

However, the most interesting element of all is the jockey rivalry between Zac Purton (California Spangle) and Vincent Ho (Golden Sixty) as this has all the makings of a tactical battle, and with Purton drawn near the inside (stall three), he is in a position to control the race from the front.

Much depends on the tempo he sets, and there is no better tactical judge than the five-times champion. Expect an even gallop early, and then a rapid increase in pace as he tries to steal a length or more around the home bend.

Golden Sixty has not trialled as enthusiastically for this first run as his fans might have hoped, and Ho will be banking that the champion's dazzling turn of foot is still his most lethal weapon. It is the most intriguing of the three trials.

Romantic Warrior also attempts a seasonal debut win in the Jockey Club Cup (8.40) over 1m2f, and with James McDonald coming from Sydney to ride, he will be given every chance.

However, the Hong Kong Derby and QEII Cup winner met with a setback in the off-season which delayed his reappearance. Also, he has drawn wide (nine of nine) and tackles his optimum trip without a prep run, which is unusual practice locally. Purton's mount Beauty Joy may well have his measure.

Champion sprinter Wellington is greatly favoured at the weights to land the Jockey Club Sprint (7.40) over 6f, with his promising stablemate Cordyceps Six a danger, particularly with Silvestre de Sousa booked for the first time.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.10
3 Lord Thunder
9 Victor The Winner

7.40
1 Wellington
10 Cordyceps Six

8.10
1 Golden Sixty
3 California Spangle

8.40
1 Romantic Warrior
3 Beauty Joy

9.15
2 Lucky With You
9 Oriental Smoke

9.50
1 Erimo
5 Cobhfield

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

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