Hong Kong View: Jim McGrath has three Sha Tin selections

Cape Breton
7.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

Power Koepp
8.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

Accelerando
9.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

John Size is spreading his wings a little earlier in the season than normal, so it may pay to follow his in-form team at Sha Tin tomorrow, where his best chance is in the Class 2 5f sprint handicap (8.35).

An 11-time champion, Size is usually late to stake his claim for the title, but as if following a distorted speed map the trainer finds himself already up on the pace with 19 wins, poised behind Tony Cruz (22) and Frankie Lor (21).

Power Koepp can keep the ball rolling in the feature, the Lukfook Jewellery Cup, in which he will drop back in trip following a disappointing sixth on dirt, which he did not seem to like. He had gone up 5lb in the handicap for winning at Happy Valley previously.

As a course-and-distance winner seven months ago, the son of Equiano is sharp enough to take a position behind the leaders from stall ten, a good draw on the straight course, and then finish strongly. Silvestre de Sousa is reunited with the gelding which is a big plus.

His chief danger is the progressive Whizz Kid, who received an 11lb hike for hacking up at Happy Valley on his latest start, while Trillion Win, back following a compulsory break after bleeding, should be included in multiples.

Size also has an excellent chance of winning the Class 3 6f sprint on the dirt (9.10) with the Hugh Bowman-ridden Red Desert, who relishes the surface, but the Australian trainer has even better prospects with Accelerando in the finale, the Class 3 handicap (9.45) over the mile.

takes a step up in grade and it is significant that Zac Purton remains loyal after partnering him to a comfortable win last time, even though he will have to get down near his minimum riding weight; it should be worth it.

De Sousa is again aboard Stunning Impact, who steps up in distance following back-to-back wins in tremendous style at Sha Tin. This seven-year-old has a new lease of life and is a credit to first-season trainer Pierre Ng.

One to follow earlier on the card is the Douglas Whyte-trained in the Class 3 6f sprint handicap (7.35). The gelding won three races in Sydney for Chris Waller and only last month produced an eye-catching first run locally when flying home for third in a similar race at long odds. Danger is Dream Pursuer, who won a recent barrier trial.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

7.00
2 Cheery
6 President’s Choice

7.35
3 Cape Breton
11 Dream Pursuer

8.05
3 Thunderstrike
5 Stand Up

8.35
2 Whizz Kid
11 Power Koepp

9.10
6 Midori Beauty
7 Red Desert

9.45
7 Stunning Impact
12 Accelerando

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

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