Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath's three tips and Placepot at Sha Tin

Circuit Stellar
8.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Bundle Of Charm
9.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Sweet Encounter
9.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

Trainer Tony Cruz is chancing his arm by sending Circuit Stellar on a Class 1 assignment in tomorrow's feature, the Panasonic Cup (8.05) over 7f at Sha Tin, only three weeks after the Irish import registered a win two grades lower.

However, Cruz could well pull off this adventurous piece of placing, largely due to Angus Chung's 10lb claim, which will dramatically reduce the four-year-old's weight, although the apprentice says he will ride at 7st 8lb, which is 1lb shy of his full allowance.

For an untapped talent such as Circuit Stellar, who was a Listed winner at Leopardstown for Joseph O'Brien last year, the claim is a luxury and from stall three he should lead. If Chung gets the fractions right, he will be hard to catch.

Circuit Stellar won his most recent outing, making all from a wide draw over a mile at Sha Tin, but he is a course-and-distance winner and the drop back in trip is no hindrance. The key to him is getting to the front and then dictating.

Cruz might well saddle a one-two as The Golden Scenery, who was a strong-finishing fourth for Chung last time out, looks the danger. Luke Ferraris will be aboard this time, and again the draw in stall five is favourable.

Frankie Lor is looking for a confidence booster for topweight Healthy Happy, whose last win came on January 1. He is a Classic Cup winner over 1m1f but whether he can give away 29lb to the in-form Circuit Stellar is debatable.

John Size has his horses racing well, with 11 winners placing him only four behind leader Cruz. He can add to that tally by taking the final two heats on the ten-race card.

The Size-trained Bundle Of Charm is tipped to land the Class 3 6f sprint handicap (9.10), with Zac Purton reunited with the gelding he partnered to an impressive four-and-three-quarter-length victory in a lower grade back in June.

Stablemate Sweet Encounter, who is unbeaten in two starts, takes a step up in grade in the Class 3 7f handicap (9.45), which should be well within his capabilities considering his rate of improvement. Stunning Impact, who goes well for Silvestre de Sousa, is the main threat.