Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three selections at Sha Tin on Saturday

Szeryng 
12.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Colourful King 
1.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

Patch Of Stars 
2.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

John Size has plenty of bullets to fire to secure a record 13th trainers’ title and among the most promising, the lightly-raced Szeryng, is selected to pick up the Class 4 6f Stevenson Cup (12.05) at Sha Tin today. 

With four racedays remaining before the curtain drops on a cracking season, Size (65 wins) is comfortably clear of his only danger David Hayes (57)  and has several solid winning chances.  Hayes, on the other hand, will rely heavily on hot favourite Fortune Boy (12.35). 

Szeryng,  a three-year-old by Almanzor, caught the eye when surprising on his third outing, beginning well from the inside, taking up a handy position and then powering away to win with a little up his sleeve. 

He was given a reasonable 7lb hike in the ratings and remains in the same grade, which he can cope with, even with a higher weight (9st 6lb).  Brenton Avdulla takes over from Karis Teetan, who was aboard for his three previous starts. 

The Ricky Yiu-trained Tourbillon Golfer is a serious threat, having just failed to make all in a sparkling racecourse debut over course and distance last month.  With that experience under the belt, and another inside draw (stall one), he should be up there all the way, while Sea Sapphire also has claims. 

One of the ‘good things’ on the 11-race card is the Manfred Man-trained Patch Of Stars, who attempts to make it a four-timer when contesting the Class 3 7f handicap (2.15). The three-year-old has gone up 27lb in the ratings since his winning sequence began in April. 

Helene Warrior’s two wins in Hong Kong have been at Happy Valley but as a winner at Ayr and Doncaster for Michael Bell previously, a more spacious track is not going to impede him. The Size-trained Endeared looks next best. 

David Eustace can maintain his end-of-season momentum when sending out the still untapped Colourful King in the Class 2 6f Philip Chen Trophy (1.40), in which Size’s Masterofmyuniverse is a potent threat. 

Both of Colourful King’s wins came here over 5f at Happy Valley but now that he has settled well into first local season, he is ready to take advantage of a slightly longer trip and longer home straight.  If he can get some cover early, his powerful finish will prove telling.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

11.30
4 Endued
12 Colourful Winner 

12.05
2 Szeryng
3 Tourbillon Golfer 

12.35
1 Wukong Jewellery
3 Fortune Boy 

1.05
2 Symbol Of Strength
6 Magnifique 

1.40
4 Masterofmyuniverse
5 Colourful King 

2.15
1 Patch Of Stars
2 Helene Warrior 

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Sha Tin on Saturday is at 9am

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