Jim McGrath with the best bets on Sha Tin's early morning Sunday card

Butterfield
8.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Party Everyday
8.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

Farhh Above
10.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Joao Moreira, who is riding with renewed energy, is back in front in the jockeys’ title battle and looks to be in no mood to surrender his lead to arch rival Zac Purton on one of the most attractive cards seen in Hong Kong this season.

Despite the necessary crowd restrictions, the quality of racing has never been better, as seen with the ten races served up at Sha Tin, with several notable clashes in prospect. And it’s Moreira (95) versus Purton (93) all the way.

Early on, Moreira partners classy Waikuku in his showdown with local ‘great’ Beauty Generation, partnered by Purton, in the mile Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (6.45), which takes on renewed interest following the latter’s big win in the Group 1 Silver Jubilee Cup.

Prior to that performance, critics had written off Beauty Generation, but John Moore has rekindled the flame in this warrior, who, it should be remembered, managed to string together ten wins straddling three seasons, from April 2018 to October 2019.

That said, Waikuku has never raced better and he seems to be still improving. He recently turned in a highly impressive barrier trial, which will have put him spot on for this. His class enabled him to beat Beauty Generation last time at level weights in the Grade 1 Stewards Cup at Sha Tin back in January. They should finish in that order again this time.

Moreira, with a full book of ten rides, has a string of chances, but one that stands out is the South American import Butterfield, in the Harlech Handicap (8.05). This multiple Group 1 winner in Brazil seems to have acclimatised well to local conditions and can be seen at his best over this trip.

The keys are Moreira, who rides the four-year-old for the first time, and the inside draw, which will undoubtedly lure the jockey into making early use of Butterfield with his featherweight of 8st 1lb. He could easily dictate throughout.

Purton can strike a blow with Party Everyday in the mile Severn Handicap (8.40), in which this promising Snitzel gelding will have to overcome the disadvantage of a wide draw in 13, which is a problem we will leave to the reigning champion.

A maiden after nine starts, Party Everyday is low in the ratings and showing every sign of being poised on a mark where he looks dangerous. Purton has ridden him at his last three starts and has remained loyal.

Purton also gets the leg up on the brilliant Aethero, who resumes following a lengthy lay-off, in the Group 2 Sprint Cup(9.10), in which he clashes with Moreira’s mount Hot King Prawn.

Aethero finished a gutsy third in the Hong Kong Sprint on International day in December. For a three-year-old so inexperienced, it was a fine effort but it took its toll. He was found to be below-par after the race and has taken months to recover.

Hot King Prawn has the inside draw, but Aethero has a 4lb pull in the weights and this may prove the difference.

Save something for Moreira aboard the talented but recently disappointing Farhh Above in the closing Lugard handicap (10.50). The colt has trialled satisfactorily and is worth one more chance.

TOTE PLACEPOT

Race 5 (1st leg): 8, 10
Race 6 (2nd leg): 4, 9
Race 7 (3rd leg): 1, 8
Race 8 (4th leg): 4, 11
Race 9 (5th leg): 4, 12
Race 10 (6th leg): 1, 8

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