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

Senor Toba
6.30 Sha Tin
2pts win

Entrusted
9.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Sakewin
10.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

The lack of genuine staying talent in Hong Kong really shows when feature races such as Sha Tin’s Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (6.30), over a mile and a half, come around. Only five runners, but there could still be a decent winner in .

Races over this trip are rare in an environment which predominately promotes sprinters and milers, and with overseas visitors remaining unable to fly in, stalwarts such as last year’s winner Butterfield set the standard.

But there was plenty to like about the way Senor Toba finished for fourth in last month’s Hong Kong Derby, making ground all the way to the line, and although just over four lengths behind impressive Romantic Warrior, that winner was one of the best of the past decade.

Interestingly, Senor Toba won a Group 3 in Sydney and was also runner-up in the Group 1 Queensland Derby, over a mile and a half, when trained by Chris Waller in Australia. This time, from the inside gate (1) with Joao Moreira aboard, he will be a hot favourite but should win and can confidently be included in all multiples.

The Chris So-trained Enjoying could bowl along in front and has the profile to take a hand in the finish. He is a son of staying influence Dundeel and was a multiple Group 2 winner in Australia. Topweight Butterfield looks next best.

Moreira has another short-priced favourite in waiting in the finale, the Class 3 6f sprint handicap (10.45), in , who last start impressed by overcoming a wide draw (14) to jump to the front and make all.

For that win on his racecourse debut, he went up 9lb in the handicap and was promoted a grade, but it means this time he will have a featherweight to carry (8st 2lb) and is asked to do it all over again from a more favourable gate (4). He will be hard to run down. Shining Gem is his danger.

Blake Shinn, who is going to be a loss to the riding ranks when he returns to Australia permanently at the end of the season, gets the chance to improve on his tally of 26 wins when partnering in the Class 3 handicap (9.05) over 1m2f.

Entrusted was the winner of a Newbury handicap over this trip for James Fanshawe three years ago, and he has found his level locally and looks well placed here. Five G Patch is tipped to run an improved race for Moreira, while Rise Brethren is worth another chance.

Sha Tin Tote Placepot perm

8.00
2 Massive Action
4 Natural Gold

8.35
1 Chevalier Prince
10 President’s Choice

9.05
4 Entrusted
7 Five G Patch

9.35
1 Double Six Pop
2 Happy Day

10.10
1 Buzzinga
3 Packing Treadmill

10.45
2 Shining Gem
12 Sakewin

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 5.30am.

Sign up now. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £10 and win or lose you will receive £30 in Tote Credit, redeemable against racing bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged or substituted and expires after seven days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the betslip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. New UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org.