Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath reckons a better draw can see Pakistan Legacy gain breakthrough win

Rising Force
6.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

Fun Elite
8.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Pakistan Legacy
10.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

Promising Pakistan Legacy is set to live up to the reputation he brought with him to Hong Kong by notching a breakthrough win in the Class 3 6f handicap sprint (10.15) on the ten-race card at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The four-year-old was 2-2 in Australia, including a win at Flemington, and he has shown glimpses of that ability in four local starts. His best form came two starts back when he finished second to Lady’s Choice, who endorsed it by winning again last weekend.

But the crucial factor here is the draw. Last time, the Chris So-trained gelding drew wide in stall 11 but now he jumps from three and you can expect him to be ridden handier to the pace. Zac Purton was forced to take him back previously and he ended up having a hard run.

Moduleconstruction has gone up 6lb for his last-start win and is drawn wide again, which leaves Super Infinity as the the main danger, ahead of Blazing Wind, who is blinkered for the first time.

Three of the ten races are on dirt, which is an opportunity to see another with huge potential in the Ricky Yiu-trained three-year-old Rising Force, who attempts to follow up his sparkling debut win when contesting the Class 4 6f handicap (6.45).

Derek Leung takes over from Richard Kingscote, who has returned to Britain with a desire to revisit Hong Kong and probably with regrets that he misses out on Rising Force, who is destined to progress to higher grades.

He won by two lengths on dirt with plenty in hand and defeated Patch Of Stars, who went on to win two races on turf in quick succession. Even though he has gone up 8lb in the ratings, Rising Force might still be well handicapped.

Purton is aboard the chief danger, the Frankie Lor-trained Fun N Fun Together, a ten-start maiden but with an encouraging second over course and distance to his credit. Same To You, a winner two starts back, is next best.

Fun Elite won down the straight on his racecourse debut and can engineer a repeat here, with Purton riding, in the Class 4 5f sprint handicap (8.10).  The Benno Yung-trained gelding found it difficult when racing in a higher grade so will welcome his demotion, albeit with top weight of 9st 9lb to shoulder. 

Sha Tin Placepot perm

8.10
1 Fun Elite
13 Noble Deluxe

8.40
1 Aurora Patch
8 Rainbow Seven

9.10
1 Gummy Gummy
4 Packing Bole

9.40
2 With A Smile
5 Quick Contribution

10.15
4 Pakistan Legacy
5 Super Infinity

10.50
7 Star Mac
9 Definitive

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

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

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