It's all Posh for the Magic Man at Sha Tin

The Magic Man, Joao Moreira is back at Sha Tin this afternoon and trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing has given him a great chance to take the day's trophy race with the very genuine Hei Hei Posh in the Lok Sin Tong Cup (1,800m), reports Racing Post HK.

As a Class Four trophy, the Cup is something of a rare event and races don't get much more competitive than this, but Hei Hei Posh acquitted himself so well in Class Three last time that he looks to have a great show back down to a slightly lesser grade.

Karis Teetan was aboard at Happy Valley, where Hei Hei Posh stayed on well for second to Ride With The Wind after making a very long run from the rear around the field over 2,200m.

Three of the gelding's four wins have come at 1,800m and, from gate four, Hei Hei Posh should be more prominent than last start as the horses drawn immediately under him, Funny Fortune and Panther Run, are not particularly quick.

The race doesn't shape as being fast-run, with Magnumous (Dicky Lui Cheuk-yin) appealing as the likely leader crossing over from his wide draw, and the pace will be all in the hands of the seven-pound claiming apprentice rider.

Perhaps that is the biggest issue for Hei Hei Posh, who would prefer a solid staying tempo and less of a sit and sprint, given that he's coming back from 2,200m.

But Moreira has an uncanny ability to get horses into a handy place and travelling and, from fifth or sixth, he may have the option to stoke Hei Hei Posh up early and get rolling.

The Brazilian's homework doubtless included a look at Hei Hei Posh's race behind Activism at Sha Tin three runs ago, when he sat wide over Sunday's course from an awkward draw in what was a very slowly-run race early. He lost his place rounding the home turn and into the straight as the pace quickened sharply but found the line well again late.

This is a race of many dangers and Travel Smart (Douglas Whyte) only looks the most obvious of them. Travel Smart was slowly away at Happy Valley in a well-run 1650m last start, but did get a decent run through the race thereafter.