Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three Sha Tin fancies for Saturday

Elon
7.35am Sha Tin
2pts win

Romantic Warrior
9.10am Sha Tin
2pts win

Captain Win
9.45am Sha Tin
2pts win

Multiple champion John Size is flexing his muscles, soaring to second place in the trainers' championship and looking ready to dominate over the holiday period, kicking off with the versatile Elon in the Class 3 6f handicap (7.35) at Sha Tin on Saturday.

Elon won three on the trot for William Knight as a 94-rated handicapper in Britain before being exported to join Size, who has saddled him for two notable wins this season, first on the dirt over course and distance in September, and then in the International Jockeys' Championship nine days ago.

Mickael Barzalona produced him from well back near the turn, flying home late to snatch victory on the line, a sure sign the four-year-old has acclimatised and is rapidly making up for a slow first season in Hong Kong.

Size's association with Joao Moreira is legendary but the Australian trainer has also developed a successful relationship with another Brazilian, Vagner Borges, a four-time champion in his home country who is steadily earning the respect of owners and punters.

Two-thirds of Borges's winners this season (6-9) have been supplied by Size, and Elon looks set to continue that success, appearing well suited to the all-weather and drawn wide enough to stay out of trouble mid-race. Harmony Spirit is one for the forecast.

Moreira is seven wins behind injured Zac Purton (42-49) in the jockeys' championship and can peg back much of the deficit before the Australian's expected return in the first two weeks in January.

Short prices can be expected for two of his best chances, the Size-trained Blaze Warrior in the 7f Lukfook Jewellery Cup (8.35), as well as the unbeaten Romantic Warrior, who attempts to bring up the hat-trick in the Class 3 6f sprint handicap (9.10).

Arguably the most interesting race on this Saturday card is the closing Class 3 1m handicap (9.45), which sees promising Australian import Captain Win bidding to repeat his amazing effort on his last start, over a shorter trip. The Toronado gelding was highly thought of by his former connections and this an ideal target despite his wide draw (14).

Moreira's mount Soulmate is also ahead of the handicapper and should be considered.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.00
2 Good Buddy
10 Happy Daily

7.35
4 Harmony Spirit
5 Elon

8.05
1 Oscar Glory
2 Decisive Action

8.35
5 Blaze Warrior
14 The Golden Scenery

9.10
6 Romantic Warrior
7 Seasons Bliss

9.45
2 Captain Win
7 Soulmate

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Sha Tin pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Sha Tin on Saturday is at 5am.

Sha Tin Saturday card

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