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

Only U   
11.30 Sha Tin
2pts win

Bundle Award 
12.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

Mickley  
1.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

David Hayes enjoyed a moment of triumph when his champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising was crowned Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year on Friday, but despite his characteristic optimism his chances of overhauling John Size in the trainers’ championship are very slim.

Hayes, who trails his great rival by six winners, confidently predicts he will have a few surprises up his sleeve for the final two meetings of the season, but Size is ready to counter any challenge with several well-placed contenders of his own.

Size’s squad of 12 runners here is led by the rapidly-improving Bundle Award, who with a light weight of 8st 4lb for Andrea Atzeni looks the one to beat in the Class 1 HK Racehorse Owners Association Trophy (12.35).

The four-year-old son of Cox Plate winner Shamus Award was 3-4 on Australian tracks before export and has built on that encouraging beginning with three wins locally at distances ranging from 7f to 1m4f.  He remains untapped.

Dropping back a furlong following a great run when third from a car park draw (13 of 14) last time should not prove any drawback here as he is typical of the Size runners in the final stages of the season and still has plenty left in the tank.

Patch Of Theta is strikingly consistent with an impressive 6-19 record, and following a luckless fourth for Atzeni, and he is reunited with Hugh Bowman, who has won on him three times. He is the danger in an intriguing contest.

Ben Thompson is heading back to Queensland next week following a brief stint, during which he registered eight winners, and he has a fine chance of finishing on a high when partnering the Size-trained Mickley in the Class 3 mile handicap (1.10).

Mickley has been knocking on the door, most notably when battling on strongly for a game second to rising star Light Years Charm over 7f in Class 2 company on his most recent outing. He will appreciate the drop in grade here and also an attractive inside draw of stall four. Mister Dapper is next best.

Trainer Benno Yung hands in his licence at the end of the season having reached the club’s compulsory retirement age. He has been fighting leukaemia and may well have a farewell winner in the form of the Harry Bentley-ridden Only U in the Class 4 7f handicap (11.30), who is set to give a good sight with his light weight.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

11.30
9 World Hero
14 Only U 

12.00
5 Bulb General
6 Rainbow Seven 

12.35
5 Patch Of Theta
7 Bundle Award 

1.10
2 Mickley
11 Mister Dapper 

1.45
5 Super Infinity
6 Little Paradise 

2.20
4 South Star
5 Beauty Bolt 

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

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

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