Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three tips and the Placepot at Sha Tin

Forerunner
7.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Five G Patch
8.25 Sha Tin
2pts win

Jumbo Fortune
9.00 Sha Tin
2pts win

Hugh Bowman can make his presence felt again with a strong book of rides that includes the untappped Forerunner in the Class 4 7f handicap (7.50) on what promises to be an informative ten-race card at Sha Tin on Saturday.

Forerunner, a son of French Derby winner Almanzor, has some way to go to earn a rating high enough to gain entry to a leg of the Four-Year-Old series, but if, as expected, he wins his second start by a significant margin, he could get to that level in one run.

Currently, the Benno Yung-trained gelding is rated 59, which is around 15lb below the lowest mark in the Classic Mile, but the handicapper has been known to raise horses 12lb in one bound if they impress enough.

It is likely the first leg on January 29 will come up too quick for Forerunner, in any case, but the 1m1f Classic Cup and the 1m2f Derby could be possibilities. On his only run to date, he came from well back to beat Fast Buck (a subsequent winner) in restricted company.

Zac Purton's mount, the lightly raced Run Run Buddy is also promising and looks the main danger, while Young Victory is well drawn and should prove next best in arguably the most interesting race on this Chinese New Year's Eve card, which explains the slightly earlier start times.

Bowman has hit his straps in recent meetings, providing a welcome level of competition to fellow Australian Purton. Since arriving two months ago, he has 15 wins on the board at a 10.27 per cent strike-rate, which is good going for a jockey who cannot do the lighter weights.

Another likely winner for Bowman is Five G Patch, who should have perfect conditions to land the 1m2f Class 3 handicap (8.25) in which the one-time Victoria Derby runner-up Hit The Shot and the in-form Maldives provide the main opposition.

Five G Patch was 2-2 in Ireland when trained by Joseph O'Brien for Australian owner Lloyd Williams, including a maiden win at Leopardstown, and he has settled in well for Tony Cruz since his arrival, winning one and earning two placings in eight starts.

Bowman is selected to make it a hat-trick in the final three races when he partners handy sprinter Jumbo Fortune in the Class 3 6f handicap (9.00) for Caspar Fownes. The gelding was Group 2-placed in Australia as a juvenile and looks well suited in this.