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

Free Foal
7.00 Sha Tin
2pts win

Five Elements
8.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Captain Win
9.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Vincent Ho faces one of his biggest challenges in trying to win the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup on Golden Sixty from the widest draw (11), when there is only a very short run to the first turn.

The 1m2f start at Sha Tin can be tricky for those drawn wide, and although Ho partnered the champion to a memorable victory in the 2020 Hong Kong Derby over course and distance from a similarly difficult gate (9), this will be a lot tougher.

For starters, Zac Purton is back on More Than This, who starts from stall two. He will be in the perfect position to get up near the lead and dictate the tempo, knowing there will be a strong chance Ho will drop Golden Sixty out and try to come with a late run around the outside.

If that is the case, Golden Sixty won't want the pace to slow up mid-race, which were exactly the tactics when the Australian (on Waikuku) cleverly brought about the champion's first defeat in 17 starts in the recent Group 1 Stewards' Cup.

Golden Sixty is selected to win, but it will not be easy, as the well-drawn More Than This is a serious danger. So, too, is the rapidly improving Zebrowski (5) despite being at a disadvantage on official ratings.

If this were a handicap, Australian Derby runner-up Zebrowski would be getting 22lb from Golden Sixty. Instead, they meet on level terms. Zebrowski has shown great improvement in recent starts and could take a hand in the finish without surprising.

Purton is still making inroads into Joao Moreira's lead in the championship in the Brazilian's enforced absence through suspension, and he could easily rack up another treble. The Frankie Lor-trained Free Foallooks to be his best, in the Class 4 7f handicap (7.00).

Free Foal is 1-14 but is still well handicapped in Class 4 and his last-start third to Leading Fortune and Right As Rain over a mile was an indication he is in form, and the drop back in trip will help. Pride Of Dragon is his danger.

Purton also has excellent winning chances on the Lor-trainedFive Elements in the Class 3 6f handicap sprint (8.05) and consistent Captain Win in the Class 3 1m handicap (9.10). Both are tipped to oblige this time.

Sha Tin Tote Placepot

7.00am
10 Free Foal
11 Pride Of Dragon

7.35am
2 Light Of Wanshi
7 Right As Rain

8.05am
2 Five Elements
12 Super Fortune

8.35am
1 Golden Sixty
2 More Than This

9.10am
1 Captain Win
8 Helene Allibor

9.45am
3 Copartner Ambition
8 Charity Grace

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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