Jim McGrath with the best bets on the Sha Tin card on Wednesday

Super Red Dragon
2.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

Righteous Doctrine
3.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

Buddies
3.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

John Moore still has plenty of ammunition to fire before he is forced to hand in his trainer's licence at the end of the season, and today's key runner Buddies is perfectly placed to hit the target for him in the Class 2 handicap (3.50) over an extended mile at Sha Tin.

The occasional all-dirt card helps break up the season and provides an alternative for those floundering in the Hong Kong class system. New stars keep emerging all the time, and Buddies is one of them.

Although he has won on turf, three of Buddies's four wins have been on the all-weather track at Sha Tin, which is a positive pointer to his chances here, especially with an inside draw (3) and Joao Moreira aboard for the first time.

Additionally, there is a lot of rain forecast, raising the likelihood of a sloppy track, which is also in his favour. On his last run on the all-weather, Buddies finished third to Glorious Artist, another all-weather specialist, over course and distance, beaten three and a half lengths when in receipt of 4lb, on a surface described as "wet, slow".

This time, Buddies meets his old rival 3lb better and can look forward to enjoying the run of the race – if not leading the field – from his inside gate.

The jockey bookings here are fascinating. Zac Purton, who has ridden Buddies to all four of his wins, has preferred the Frankie Lor-trained Glorious Artist, on whom he has won three times.

Moreira rode a five-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday to regain the lead in the title race and Buddies is arguably the best of his seven rides on today's card. It will be a dramatic battle if the two big names slug it out in the closing stages of this Class 2 contest.

All you need to know when considering a bet at Hong Kong's impressive Sha Tin

There is one other worthy of mention in the finale, namely the Lor-trained Kings Shield, who was two from two on Tapeta at Newcastle and Wolverhampton when formerly trained by John Gosden. He was also sixth in the French 2,000 Guineas and fifth in the St James's Palace Stakes.

Kings Shield won over course and distance last June but missed a major part of this season following colic surgery. He is a son of Scat Daddy, so has the right pedigree for this assignment.

One of the best bets on the card is Super Red Dragon in the Class 4 handicap (2.15) over an extended mile. The four-year-old remains a maiden after nine starts but has the potential to break through in a race that should suit him perfectly.

The son of Starspangledbanner steps up in grade following two very good course-and-distance placings off higher weights. This time, with 19lb less in the saddle, he could be excused for thinking it is his birthday. The booking of Karis Teetan is a big plus.

The Michael Chang-trained Righteous Doctrine, who won last time out, is set to follow up in the Class 3 handicap (3.15) over 1m1f. Moreira is not likely to be as far back as last time when he also had an attractive inside gate.

For a place interest consider Volpino, who will relish the step back up in trip to 1m1f.

TOTE PLACEPOT

Race 3 (1st leg): 3, 7
Race 4 (2nd leg): 7, 10
Race 5 (3rd leg): 14, 6
Race 6 (4th leg): 11, 8
Race 7 (5th leg): 4, 5
Race 8 (6th leg): 3, 1

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