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

Mr Energia
9.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

Dancing Code
10.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Tin Fook
10.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

Two important jockey changes involving champion Zac Purton and promising apprentice Ellis Wong can result in well-deserved wins for two out-of-luck horses on a challenging ten-race card at Sha Tin.

Nobody can say with certainty that Mr Energia was unlucky when he charged home late for second to Packing Bole in a 6f handicap on the dirt track last month, but you could term it unfortunate that he was bumped soon after the start and forced to concede many lengths.

He gets his chance to rectify that in another Class 3 race over course and distance (9.35), this time with Purton replacing Matthew Poon. A booking for Purton in any circumstances is noteworthy, but particularly relevant here as he won on the David Hall-trained gelding in July.

Mark Newnham has a strong squad of dirt horses, so it is interesting that he runs Fatal Blow for the first time on the surface, with Matthew Chadwick in the saddle. Lyle Hewitson rode the five-year-old to victory in a recent barrier trial on dirt, but he remains loyal to New Forest, who drops back in trip.

The other important jockey change is Wong being engaged for the Caspar Fownes-trained Dancing Code in the Class 2 6f handicap (10.10), taking over from Vincent Ho — who rode the gelding when he had no answer to the powerful finish of Tomodachi Kokoroe two weeks ago.

There is a huge weight swing of 14lb in favour of Dancing Code this time to erase a margin of two lengths and with luck in running, he should turn the tables, though he can expect some opposition from Mid Winter Wind.

The five-year-old really caught the eye when he came home from a near impossible position to win on his Hong Kong debut in January. His form then regressed but a glimpse of his old sparkle was seen at this track and trip last time. He is a danger along with Masterofmyuniverse.

Hall saddles an import with great potential in Tin Fook in the 7f handicap (10.45), in which Purton rides the Francis Lui-trained Uranus Star — who has been impressing in barrier trials.

There was significant money for Tin Fook when he ran on well on soft ground for a solid third behind Sky Trust on only his second local start. In Australia, he won a maiden at provincial track Pakenham and he should not be long in opening his account locally.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

8.00
6 Oldtown
9 Von Baer

8.35
6 Pearl Of Pang’s 
10 Fight Time

9.05
3 Super Strong Kid
7 Alsonso

9.35
6 Mr Energia
7 New Forest

10.10
5 Dancing Code
9 Mid Winter Wind

10.45
9 Tin Fook
10 Uranus Star

2x2x2x2x2x2=64 lines

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