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

Metro Power
9.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Mojave Desert
9.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

Bulb General
10.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

This weekend Andrea Atzeni attempts to emulate a former local champion in Gary Moore by landing a winner in Hong Kong just 24 hours before riding in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris.

Atzeni received a late call-up for Giavellotto on Sunday, but it was not as late as Moore's. He only learned he was to partner 52-1 outsider Gold River in the 1981 Arc hours before departing for the airport, after Freddy Head elected to ride Detroit for Robert Sangster.

Moore was doubly lucky because he also enjoyed a charmed run up the inside rail at Longchamp on a Prix du Cadran winner, whose stamina prevailed in the Arc in very soft conditions. Atzeni will be hoping for a similar scenario, although Giavellotto much prefers genuinely good ground.

Atzeni has four mounts at Sha Tin on Saturday, with the Mark Newnham-trained Mojave Desert in the Class 2 handicap (9.35) over the extended mile on dirt his best chance.

Both jockey and trainer are in cracking form. Atzeni excelled with a double on the National Day card, his ride on Kempes to win a 6f sprint an absolute gem, while Newnham has saddled winners at the past five meetings. His stable is really firing.

Not for the first time, Newnham saddles two major contenders in the same all-weather race. It’s a repeat of two weeks ago when Mojave Desert won his last start, with stablemate New Forest in third.

That was a Class 3, now Mojave Desert is a grade higher after being hit with a 7lb ratings hike, and the stablemate he must fear this time is Talents Ambition, a three-time course-and-distance winner with a dirt pedigree. Soleil Fighter is next best in an interesting contest.

There are two good things who will oblige on Saturday if they reproduce their most recent performances. The David Hayes-trained Metro Power, who turned in an astounding effort to make all last time, is tipped to follow up over course and distance in the Class 3 5f sprint handicap (9.05) from a good draw (10) on the straight track.

The other standout is the Jamie Richards-trained Bulb General, who is well up to overcoming a wide draw (12) in the Class 3 6f handicap (10.10). He completely dominated on his last two starts and will make light of the 11lb rise in the ratings for winning last time.