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

Excellent Proposal
8.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

California Spangle
9.10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Red Desert
9.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

California Spangle can further his claims to elite four-year-old status by taking the Hong Kong Classic Mile (9.10), one of the features of a fascinating ten-race card at Sha Tin.

The strength in depth in this first leg of the four-year-old Classic Series is impressive – there are eight multiple winners in the field – and top-rated California Spangle is the one who has leapfrogged his way to the top.

But this time there are two serious questions he must answer: is he capable of overcoming a wide draw (13 of 14) in such a strong race and can he see out a mile at the first time of asking?

It is interesting that Zac Purton, who rode the gelding to two of his five wins, committed early to Packing Victory, a decision that could look a little hasty, although drawn in stall four, Packing Victory is certainly a big danger.

Matthew Chadwick has picked up the mount on California Spangle, having won on him two starts ago. Pedigree suggests he will get the trip as he is by Starspangledbanner (sire of Cox Plate winner State Of Rest) out of a High Chaparral mare.

Packing Victory is very promising, but so too are rivals Romantic Warrior and Sight Spirit, while Fa Fa has been one of the biggest improvers to come through the grades, and The Irishman has his sights on the Derby, over 1m2f, in March. Truly, this is an intriguing contest.

Joao Moreira has his usual full book of attractive rides, with Excellent Proposal appearing his best, in the Group 3 Centenary Vase (8.05), over 1m1f. The John Size-trained gelding has not won since this day last year but has run consistently well this season against strong opposition over shorter trips.

Zebrowski has now acclimatised well as underlined with an authoritative Group 3 win at Happy Valley on his last start, further evidence he has recaptured the form which saw him finish second in the Australian Derby in Sydney two years ago.

Moreira also has an excellent winning chance on dirt specialist Red Desert in the finale, the Class 2 6f sprint handicap (9.45). The gelding ran a cracker when third over an extended mile on dirt two starts ago and this will be more suitable.

Sha Tin Tote Placepot

7.00am
1 Solar Power
4 Nimble Nimbus

7.35am
4 Amazing Chocolate
10 Everyone’s Victory

8.05am
8 Excellent Proposal
10 Zebrowski

8.35am
1 Captain Win
6 Crossford

9.10am
1 California Spangle
4 Packing Victory

9.45am
3 Silver Fig
4 Red Desert

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 bets

Bets can be placed into Sha Tin pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 5.00am.

Sha Tin Sunday card

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