Hong Kong tips: JA McGrath with three bets for Sha Tin's Sunday card

California Ten
8.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

Star Performance
9.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

Trillion Win
10.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Championship leader Joao Moreira looks set for another stellar day in the saddle, with California Ten in the Class 3 1m2f handicap (8.40) the pick of his nine rides.

California Ten was two from two in Ireland for Jim Bolger before his export, counting last year’s Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial as his best performance, and this is his big chance to break through on his seventh start in Hong Kong.

Second places over 1m1f on his last two outings are an indication he is in good heart, and it is perhaps best to forget his dismal effort three races ago when he was dropped out from a wide draw and virtually took no interest. You could hardly conclude he did not stay – mentally, he just wasn’t at the races.

With Moreira aboard for the first time, it is likely he will go forward from stall seven to take up a handy position. His chief dangers appear to be Righteous Doctrine, dropping in class, and Dynamic Eagle, who should be in the box seat throughout.

Moreira welcomes back his Hong Kong Derby winner Sky Darci, who returns from a two-month break when tackling the Group 3 1m Lion Rock Trophy (6.45), in which he will be hard to beat under a light weight.

Although he stayed 1m2f to land the Derby – his class and Moreira’s brilliance won the day – a mile will almost certainly prove his best trip in the top grade. Freshened up by Caspar Fownes, he will be hard to catch, while another four-year-old, Healthy Happy, should also figure in the places.

The Magic Man is also tipped to land the Class 3 7f handicap (9.40) on Star Performance, who has been in the frame on his last two starts and remains competitive on his current mark. From gate three, he should enjoy the run of the race.

In the night cap, the Class 2 6f handicap sprint (10.50), Moreira rides capable Sight Success, but the upgraded Trillion Win, the mount of Alexis Badel, just might hold the edge.

New Zealand import Trillion Win surprised trainer Manfred Man when winning first up against strong opposition and he has shown further promise in his most recent runs, although finding it hard to win again under big weights. He will think it is his birthday with only 8st 5lb on his back.

Sha Tin card

Bet through the tote

Tote Placepot

8.05
5 Blissful Star
8 Tronic Mighty

8.40
2 Righteous Doctrine
4 California Ten

9.10
2 Storm Warnings
9 Speedy Mouse

9.40
4 Lucky Fun
8 Star Performance

10.15
3 Mighty Valor
11 Dublin Star

10.50
8 Trillion Win
13 Sight Success

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 5.45am.

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