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Rising stars top the bill on a hectic Sha Tin Sunday

Eight World Pool races from Epsom on Saturday followed by eleven at Sha Tin and two of HK’s aces – Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble – bidding to beat Japanese stars in the Yasuda Kinen. It’s the end of a vibrant week on the HK beat and Sunday’s Sha Tin twilight card – which starts at the civilised hour of 9am GMT – features numerous key questions.

How good is the Sha Tin Vase?

Put it this way, it pits two of this season’s G1 sprint winners against a handful of dangerous rivals receiving lumps of weight. In short, it’s every bit as intriguing as you would expect for a handicap with over £420,000 on offer that’s due off at 1.10.

Can the G1 winners give the weight away?

Victor The Winner looks sure to lead and will need to be right on his game to defy a mark of 124. Invincible Sage gets 6lb from the topweight and comes firmly into the reckoning after pouncing to win the Chairman’s Sprint Prize on soft ground but he’s up to a mark of 118 now and conceding a stone to KA YING RISING and MUGEN won’t be easy.

How good is Ka Ying Rising?

Potentially very good indeed after making a mess of smart rivals on his Class 2 debut. This muscular youngster impressed in every way that day – coming home in 22.5s followed by 22.27s while still under wraps from Zac Purton – and David Hayes is hoping he can graduate to G1 company next season. This marked rise to G3 level leaves him 8lb out of the handicap but fast-improving horses can often overcome that in HK and this one is a very worthy favourite indeed as Karis Teetan takes over from Japan-bound Purton.

And what about Mugen?

Now here’s a tricky one. Pierre Ng’s impressive strike rate has dipped and Mugen didn’t respond well when fitted with blinkers in a recent trial won by Victor The Winner. But this lightly-raced chestnut is much better judged on his afternoon efforts and the best of them – most recently a staying-on third when meeting Invincible Sage and California Spangle at levels – read very well. Hand on heart, I’m not quite sure what to expect from this lad. But I do think his best is yet to come and, even with Harry Bentley likely to put up a pound or two in overweight, he still looks one to watch at a big price.

What’s the key to the Lion Rock Trophy (12.35)?

Pace is the short answer. Likely favourite Galaxy Patch is a holdup horse well suited by a true gallop, while Beauty Joy, Taj Dragon, Encountered, The Golden Scenery and Atullibigeal all tend to be waited with, too. Derby sixth CHANCHENG GLORY came from midfield when showing improved form to land a Class 2 with real authority recently. He’s 9lb out of the handicap for this step up to G3 but there’s a soft lead on offer here and Lyle Hewitson ought to be alive to that.

And what are the best bets on the undercard?

Several supporting handicaps look to revolve around a small core of horses and three of them look well worth a second look.

Stellar Express suffered a torrid trip when failing to justify File confidence last time but JAMES TAK has been highly progressive in recent months and his fine second over course and distance in April (with Stellar Express behind) suggests that he’s still well treated for the 11.30 from a mark of 76.

TOP SCORER has been a money muncher in his first season, beaten at 4.2 or shorter on all his five starts for John Size. But there’s nothing wrong with his attitude and his latest second, just ahead of a subsequent winner, suggests that he can finally lose his maiden status in the 1.45.

And then we have a rematch between Second To None and Lost Child in the finale at 2.20. Second To None came out just on top when this pair filled the placings behind Top Gun here five weeks ago but LOST CHILD has run another excellent race since and he looks the value play as veteran handler Michael Chang chases the handful of winners he needs to keep his training licence.

Sunday’s Sha Tin Selections

11.30: James Tak

1.10: Ka Ying Rising/Mugen

1.45: Top Scorer

2.20: Lost Child (EW)

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