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

Ensued
9.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Justifying
9.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

Bravehearts
10.20 Sha Tin
2pts win

The last Group 1 of the Hong Kong season, the 1m4f Champions and Chater Cup (9.10) at Sha Tin, has the makings of a fascinating tactical race in which the result will rest on how much pace is applied throughout.

The draw is also a major factor, with the William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour, the only foreigner in the ten-runner field, in danger of being boxed in from stall one, despite it being over a long trip (by local standards), and there being a lengthy run to the first turn.

Local favourite Voyage Bubble attempts to become only the second horse after River Verdon to complete the Triple Crown, having won the first two legs, the mile Stewards’ Cup and the 1m2f Hong Kong Gold Cup. 

James McDonald, knowing it's a journey into uncharted waters for his mount Voyage Bubble, can dictate the shape of the race from stall three, while much will be riding on how Tom Marquand gets Dubai Honour away from the starting gate. The first furlong will be crucial for the leading players.

Zac Purton will hope somebody decides to go on as his Ensued is guaranteed to stay and, as such, he needs a genuine gallop to be seen at his best. It could be left to ever-adventurous Craig Williams to make it on the Derby winner Cap Ferrat.

Ensued, a five-year-old son of stamina influence Lemon Drop Kid, arrived as a maiden after three starts for James Fanshawe, but he finished third on debut to a future Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire and clearly had ability. He is now 4-15 locally. 

The John Size-trained Ensued gets the vote from Voyage Bubble, with Dubai Honour next best. Size’s other runner Bundle Award, with Andrea Atzeni aboard, has won over the trip, while David Hayes’s Rubylot took the Classic Cup and also has claims.

Bravehearts was once considered a Champions and Chater contender but still gets his chance to figure on the showcase card when he lines up in the Class 3 1m2f handicap (10.20).

The drop in grade is welcome for this Carlos Pellegrini winner, who has the class to beat Atzeni’s Gold Master despite the big weight difference.

Another Atzeni mount Justifying looked outstanding first time out but disappointed on his second outing. This time, the gelding can make amends in the Class 3 5f sprint handicap (9.45) despite being drawn in stall 1, which is out on the wing on the far side.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

8.00am
5 Fortune Boy
7 Wrote A New Page

8.40
3 Shamus Storm
4 Max Que

9.10
1 Voyage Bubble
4 Ensued

9.45
2 Stellar Express
10 Justifying

10.20
1 Bravehearts
8 Gold Master

10.55
7 South Star
11 Super Express

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 5.30am

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