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

Magic Control
8.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

New Future Folks
9.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

Blazing Wukong
9.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Not for the first time, James McDonald has timed his run to perfection, and can capitalise on a return to form by driving home Magic Control to take the Class 2 5f handicap sprint (8.40) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

With the season’s two biggest international meetings only days away, McDonald has fired in five winners and is back in demand, picking up eight rides. The Cody Mo-trained Magic Control, who drops back in grade, looks the best of them.

The two reasons the five-year-old heads the list is that he is a straight-five specialist — all three of his local wins have been over course and distance — and he has drawn the favoured stands rail (13 of 14), which is a big advantage.

The gelding’s blazing early speed should ensure he is in the firing line all the way, while two of his biggest dangers, the David Eustace-trained Colourful King (stall two) and Mark Newnham’s Crimson Flash (stall four), are drawn on the opposite side of the track.

Five of Magic Control’s last eight runs have been in Group races, so he will appreciate the slightly easier opposition, although horses such as Colourful King are relatively young and still improving and could eventually make their mark higher up the ladder.

J-Mac, the popular name for the New Zealand-born Sydney champion, also has bright prospects on the untapped New Future Folks, who will be hard to beat in the Class 3 6f handicap sprint (9.15).

The Michael Chang-trained New Future Folks is 2-12 and both wins were over a mile at Sha Tin. However, he finished a close third to the progressive Kempes over course and distance, and drawn stall five, he should be well positioned all the way.

His danger is Super Strong Kid, well drawn in stall one, which Zac Purton will use to his advantage. Goldentronicmighty is next best in a competitive heat.

Blazing Wukong reappears a week after his close sixth to Riding Together over 7f, a race in which half a length separated the first six across the line. The Ricky Yiu-trained gelding should be in his element in the Class 3 mile handicap (9.50), with badly-drawn Dazzling Fit and Beauty Bolt his main threats.