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

Bull Attitude
8.20 Sha Tin
2pts win

Invincible Ibis
9.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Bulb General
10.45 Sha Tin
 2pts win

Ka Ying Rising is exuding such rude health and enthusiasm that a 13th consecutive win should be a formality when he lines up in the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (7.00) as a new Hong Kong season starts at Sha Tin.

The world’s highest-rated sprinter, with eight-time champion Zac Purton in the saddle, takes on 11 rivals and eight of those are out of the handicap in this traditional first day feature 6f race.

Trainer David Hayes has masterminded a plan to take the gelding to Sydney for The Everest, over 6f at Randwick on October 18. With A$20m (£9.7m/€11.2m) of prize-money up for grabs, it is Australia’s richest race, and will attract massive media coverage in Asia.

Ka Ying Rising has won two barrier trials in preparation for this seasonal debut, the first of them by overwhelming weaker rivals to the tune of more than 14 lengths. Asked whether watching on had terrified him, Hayes said: “Zac was shocked by his gate speed. He was that quick.

“Any issues he had at the start of his races [a slight tardiness] has rectified itself if these jump-outs are any guide.” 

The five-year-old won the race last year and faces two other previous winners, Lucky Sweynesse and Victor The Winner, though Beauty Waves — runner-up 12 months ago — is again his main opposition.

Mark Newnham is a trainer to follow on opening day, with Bull Attitude, an up-and-comer partnered by Lyle Hewitson, being arguably his best chance, in the 7f handicap (8.20).

The lightly raced four-year-old by The Autumn Sun had to use plenty of energy to get across from a wide gate when fourth on his last outing and has the profile of a young horse with bags of potential. He recently won a trial on the dirt at Sha Tin.

Newnham also has excellent prospects of success with Invincible Ibis, who has drawn attractively in stall five in the 6f handicap (9.10), in which the Hayes-trained China Win looks next best.

Invincible Ibis failed to overcome his wide draw (14) last time but put the writing on the wall when running on strongly for second after having only two horses behind him at half-way. With luck in running, he will be hard to beat. 

Sha Tin Placepot perm

8.20
2 Do Your Part
10 Bull Attitude

9.10
3 Invincible Ibis
6 China Win

9.40
7 Ka Ying Resilience
8 Sea Sapphire

10.10
1 Fast Network
11 The Golden Scenery

10.45
1 Infinite Resolve
11 Bulb General

11.20
6 Armour War Eagle
11 Spirit Of Peace 

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 6am

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