Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three strong fancies for Sha Tin's card on Sunday

Tourbillon Golfer
9.35 Sha Tin
2pts win

Snowfield
10.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

Untapped sprinting talent Lightness Of Music is tipped to kick-start a busy season for trainer Chris So when he lines up in the Class 3 5f handicap (9.05am BST) on an interesting ten-race card at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The four-year-old has always been highly regarded by his trainer and justified stable confidence when cruising home by two lengths over course and distance on his debut in June.  He took full advantage of a stands' side draw to win with a little in hand.

Zac Purton, who was aboard, was obviously impressed as he partnered the son of Press Statement in a barrier trial on the Sha Tin dirt this month, and was also in the saddle for his final piece of serious work in preparation for this.

Two factors are different for Lightness Of Music this time: he must contend with a rise in grade, which was expected considering the authority of his introductory win, and also begin from stall five, which places him in the middle of the 11-runner field at the start.

Neither are insurmountable considering his undoubted ability, but we will certainly be able to gauge more accurately the potential ceiling of his talent following this interesting test. Britney Wong’s 10lb claim should prove very useful for Fast Responder, who is lumbered with top weight but looks the danger.

While Lightness Of Music is expected to get So off the mark, the promising Tourbillon Golfer can do the same for Ricky Yiu in the Class 4 6f handicap (9.35). Purton takes over on this one from Matthew Poon, who was aboard for his only two starts.

 The eight-time champion jockey received a good response from Tourbillon Golfer when he partnered him to a comfortable win in a recent barrier trial, and it is clear the four-year-old has the potential to go higher up the ladder than Class 4. Andrea Atzeni’s mount Jubilant Winner is next best.

Mark Newnham has hit the crossbar a couple of times already this term, but all his horses are well forward and it’s only a matter of time before they start to go in with some regularity. The Brazilian import Snowfield can bring him a change of luck by taking the finale, the Class 3 7f handicap (10.45). 

Snowfield didn’t do much in three starts last season, but he won five of his six starts in Brazil, two of them at Group 1 level. With an eyecatching trial nine days ago, he is poised to land this with Hugh Bowman aboard.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

8.00
4 Max Que
7 Simple Hedge 

8.35
2 Argento Ocean
8 Groovy Feeling 

9.05
1 Fast Responder,
11 Lightness Of Music  

9.35
1 Tourbillon Golfer
10 Jubilant Winner 

10.10
6 Solid Shalaa
7 Mask Rider  

10.45
1 Snowfield
3 Winning Gold  

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 BST

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