Hong Kong tips: Jim McGrath with three fancies on Wednesday at Sha Tin

Super Fast
2.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

Sunny Delight
2.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

War Of Courage
3.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Take a punt on War Of Courage on his dirt debut for a bit of value in the closing Class 3 6f sprint handicap (3.50) on an intriguing all-weather card at Sha Tin on Wednesday.

It’s one of those mid-week Sha Tin fixtures which pops up occasionally during the Hong Kong season, and trainer Manfred Man is set to make the most of it with a genuine speedster who can bounce out in front from his inside gate and make all.

Man tested the water when he sent the five-year-old for a barrier trial on the dirt track last month, 12 days before the gelding’s moderate eighth in a 6f handicap on turf, which acted as a soft pipe-opener for his season.

War Of Courage won the trial well, beating Red Desert, who contests a Class 2 earlier on the card, so he appears to be living up to his pedigree. He is by Declaration Of War, who was placed in a Breeders’ Cup Classic and has proved a versatile stallion who sires all types.

The John Size-trained Elon, who won over course and distance two starts ago, is worth another chance, while California Concord, one of seven attractive rides for Zac Purton, can also figure if able to overcome his wide draw (10).

In-form Purton, who has ridden 13 winners on the last five race days, will consider Hongkong Great, in the Class 2 handicap (12.45) over an extended mile, to be his best ride, but the multiple Group 1-winning Chilean-bred will be too short a price.

His mount Super Fast, in the Class 4 handicap (2.15), over 1m1f, appeals as a better betting proposition, particularly as he has proved himself capable over the trip, hacking up in a Naas maiden, over 1m2f, on his sole outing for Andy Oliver two years ago. He is already a winner on the Sha Tin dirt.

Another Purton ride worth noting is the Danny Shum-trained Sunny Delight in the Class 4 6f sprint handicap (2.45), a mount he has picked up from suspended Joao Moreira.

Although a maiden after four starts, the gelding was placed on the all-weather before being touched off on his turf debut.

David Hayes runs Poised To Strike, who has plummeted down the ratings and looks dangerous on his present mark.

This dual Flemington winner made all in a barrier trial on dirt earlier this month before his export and should be included in multiples.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

1.15
1 Crown Avenue
2 El Valiente

1.45
7 Everyone’s Victory
12 Young Victory

2.15
2 Super Fast
3 Party Everyday

2.45
5 Sunny Delight
9 Poised To Strike

3.15
3 Chancheng Prince
10 Gold Comet

3.50
7 War Of Courage
8 Elon

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Sha Tin Wednesday card

Bet through the Tote

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Sha Tin on Wednesday is at 12.15pm.

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