Jim McGrath with three wagers for Sha Tin on Saturday

Daily Charm
8.00 Sha Tin
2pts win
Killer Bee
9.05 Sha Tin
2pts win
Hongkong Great
10.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

Zac Purton will get down to his lightest weight to partner Chilean-bred Hongkong Great in Saturday’s nightcap, an intriguing Class 2 handicap (10.45), over an extended mile on dirt, at Sha Tin.

Purton is attempting to ride the five-year-old at 8st 6lb, which is 2lb below his accepted comfort level, underlining his high opinion of the import, who was a multiple Group 1 winner in South America before heading to Hong Kong via the US.

Hongkong Great is two from ten locally – Purton was aboard for one of those wins – but it is what he has shown in defeat that has really attracted attention.

The gelding was set Herculean tasks when ridden aggressively by Antoine Hamelin and Vincent Ho respectively in all-weather races either side of his last win, although if he performs to that level here, he will be hard to run down.

Purton will no doubt show purpose from stall five in the short run to the first turn, no doubt determined to head off Kings Shield, another front-runner, but you can also expect the champion to exercise a little judgement in controlling the speed up front.

Berlin Tango is the most interesting runner. Winner of a Classic trial, in which he beat Pyledriver on Kempton’s all-weather last year, he showed his first glimpse of form locally (on his fifth start) when storming home for fourth at Happy Valley last month.

Earlier on the card, in-form Daily Charm can put a bizarre last run behind him when contesting the 1m1f handicap (8.00), in which Matthew Chadwick will replace Vagner Borges on the three-year-old.

Borges gave Daily Charm a puzzling ride when second over course and distance last time, anchoring the gelding in third spot on the rail and letting the two pacesetters build up a seven-length lead. It is the subject of an adjourned running and riding inquiry.

Joao Moreira has his usual strong book of rides, the best of whom is Killer Bee in the 6f sprint handicap (9.05). The gelding’s previous second in this grade is rock solid form, with the first and third both posting wins subsequently.

Tote Placepot

Race 5 (1st leg, 8.00): 2 Full Power, 13 Daily Charm
Race 6 (2nd leg, 8.35): 1 My Ecstatic, 14 Sun Of Makfi
Race 7 (3rd leg, 9.05): 9 Speedy Mouse, 11 Killer Bee
Race 8 (4th leg, 9.35): 3 So We Joy, 7 Gameplayer Times
Race 9 (5th leg, 10.10): 2 Yo Beauty, 12 Gallant Express
Race 10 (6th leg, 10.45): 7 Hongkong Great, 10 Berlin Tango

Sha Tin card

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