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

Rise Brethren
7.00 Sha Tin
2pts win

Running Glory
7.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

Turin Redsun
8.40 Sha Rin
2pts win

Douglas Whyte could write another chapter in his illustrious career if Turin Redsun wins tomorrow’s Hong Kong Derby (8.40) over 1m2f.

Whyte won three Derbies as a record-breaking jockey, and he saddled runner-up Russian Emperor in last year’s Classic in only his second season. Now he can go one better in one of the strongest renewals of the last decade.

The two Derby trials were won by Romantic Warrior (Classic Mile) and California Spangle (Classic Cup) but they have been drawn in eight and ten respectively, and with only a short run to the first turn, the draw is crucial.

Turin Redsun won two from six for John and Thady Gosden but perhaps his most significant effort was a sixth to Perotto in last year’s Britannia at Royal Ascot, where he finished second on the far side behind Dubai Honour, who subsequently progressed to Group 1 level.

Whyte has taken Turin Redsun quietly in his four starts locally and he has improved steadily. His last-time-out second to California Spangle in the 1m1f Classic Cup was a nice pointer, with Money Catcher (third), Romantic Warrior (fourth), Senor Toba (fifth) and The Irishman (sixth) all behind him.

Alexis Badel is expected to have the gelding positioned just off the lead from stall six early, with Zac Purton pushing forward on California Spangle out wide in the scramble to the first bend.

A solid tempo will set it up nicely for Turin Redsun and also the Caspar Fownes-trained Senor Toba, a genuine stayer in the making who looks the main danger.

That 2021 running of the Britannia also featured Rise Brethren (second), who will be hard to beat on this attractive Derby card when lining up in the Class 3 handicap (7.00) over 1m2f. He raced as Liffey River for Joseph O’Brien before undergoing a name change in his new home.

Joao Moreira has his usual collection of quality rides, Running Glory in the Class 3 handicap (7.35) being arguably his best.

The gelding had a tough run from a wide draw when rocketing home last time over 7f and he will surely appreciate the step up in distance this time. He has Nothing Impossible to beat.

TOTE PLACEPOT PERM

7.00am
3 Rise Brethren
7 Boom Alliance

7.35am
7 Running Glory
11 Nothing Impossible

8.05am
6 Voyage Bubble
9 Trust Me

8.40am
4 Turin Redsun
6 Senor Toba

9.15am
3 Heza Beauty
11 Golden Empire

9.50am
2 Blaze Warrior
4 California Rad

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 bets

Bets can be placed into Sha Tin pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 5.00am.

Sha Tin Sunday card

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