Hong Kong Racing
Race Review of Sha Tin - 1st February 2026
Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – Clear Water Bay Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 57.36 Standard Time: 56.65 Course/Class record: 54.94 United We Stand
MASTER LUCKY (AUS 4yo g Shamus Award – Under The Sea) was too good on debut, saluting as a $35 chance for Dylan Browne McMonagle and John Size. The gelding was away on terms and mustered well to be close to the speed for the Irishman. He was in line with the leaders as they travelled by the 400m point and he cruised up to take the lead under his own steam. He quickened nicely when McMonagle asked for an effort, getting away from his rivals and scoring by a neck on the line. POET'S REIGN flew home from the back of the pack to grab second as a $71 chance. After being squeezed out of the barriers, the gelding ended up at the tail of the field under James Orman and was being bustled along to keep up in the early stages. The Australian was able to slice his way through the traffic inside the final 400m and the gelding sprouted wings when he finally got into the clear with 150m remaining. He charged hard but couldn't reel in Master Lucky. SILVER SPURS stuck on well down the outside after sitting on the speed throughout, holding on for third as a $23 chance, rounding out a tough opening race for punters.
Race 2 – Kiu Tsui Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.34 Standard Time: 1:09.55 Course/Class record: 1:08.64 Iron King
SHOTGUN (NZ 4yo g Charm Spirit – Shama de Oro) shed the maiden tag at start 12, leading the whole way for Matthew Poon and David Hayes. The gelding showed good speed from the barriers to work across and take up the running from barrier nine. He led at a solid tempo off the back straight, but the gelding was doing it comfortably under Poon who was able to catch his breath through the middle stages. He quickened nicely on straightening and quickly saw off his first challenger, breaking two lengths clear with 150m remaining. The race was all over by the 100m point with none of his rivals making any ground, with Shotgun going on to win by three quarters of a length. ALWAYS FLUKE had been ridden along in the early stages to try and hold his position along the fence after being only moderately away from gate one. The gelding was able to slide up the fence on straightening as the field fanned across the straight and Maxime Guyon was the only one who looked a threat. He was only a minor threat however, never really getting close enough to threaten Shotgun. REWARDING TWINKLE finished off soundly down the outside to take third place, finishing 1-3/4 lengths off the winner.
Race 3 – Mirs Bay Handicap, HK $3,720,000,
Class 1 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.12 Standard Time: 1:21.25 Course/Class record: 1:19.92 Encouraging
Hugh Bowman got the race favourite PATCH OF THETA (AUS 6yo g Zoustar – Fortune Of War) home to return to winning ways after 13 months between drinks. The gelding jumped well and was able to land in the one-out-one-back position as they travelled down the back straight. Hugh Bowman didn't have to work at all early in the run, landing in a great position in the small field as he looked to get into the clear at the top of the straight. He was challenged early on his outside as the leader kicked strongly, but his class shone through late in the race. He found an extra gear with 150m remaining to mow down the leader and inch away to score by a half-length on the line. DROMBEG BANNER led the field from the start with Andrea Atzeni rolling to the front aboard the second favourite. He was able to dictate the tempo through the middle stages and kicked strongly at the top of the straight. LIGHT YEARS CHARM made a move on straightening to try and box in Patch Of Theta at the top of the straight, though he ran out of petrol late in the race. He ended up in third, beaten 1-1/4 lengths.
Race 4 – Lam Tsuen Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.46 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.36 Jubilant Winner
CROSSBORDER DUDE (NZ 3yo g El Roca – Eileithyia) secured the first win of his career coming back to 1200m, with trainer John Size picking up an early double in the process. The three-year-old jumped well for Zac Purton and showed good early speed, though he was caught three-wide as they turned off the back straight. Purton pushed on to get across and be one off the fence with 600m remaining, sitting outside the leader through the middle stages and looking confident at the top of the straight. The three-year-old ran to the front shortly after straightening but was challenged at the furlong pole by Chill Partners. The race favourite dug in under Purton, fighting hard when it looked like he was headed with 100m to run to gain the upper hand once more, toughing out the win in an impressive display. CHILL PARTNERS had the drop on Crossborderdude in the run after settling on the leaders' back throughout. Jerry Chau came off heels at the top of the straight and it looked as though he would go straight by Crossborderdude at the furlong. He may have had his nose in front momentarily, but Purton and the race favourite fought back to steal the win from the jaws of defeat. BROWNNEEDSFURTHER got close at the finish for James Orman as he finished a half-length off the winner.
Race 5 – Lam Tsuen Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.29 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.36 Jubilant Winner
Lyle Hewitson and Danny Shum combined to win race five with HAPPY SHOOTER (AUS 5yo g Deep Field – Whistling Dixie). From an inside barrier, the five-year-old jumped on terms but others had more early speed, with Hewitson settling just off the speed. With a solid tempo on offer, the gelding was well placed through the middle stages, and he had plenty of room to move as they swung into the straight. The seas parted in front of him and the gelding responded strongly, though he was hanging out under pressure. Hewitson got the whip in his left hand and the gelding straightened up, letting down nicely to hit the front and pull away late, scoring by three quarters of a length. PRESTIGE HALL got a long way back on settling down for Hugh Bowman and David Hall, with the Australian hoop being 6 lengths off the leader as they turned for home. The gap appeared for Bowman to get out wide and into the clear and the gelding flew home late in the race. He was very eye catching but couldn't catch Happy Shooter. SMART GOLF jumped the odds-on favourite and couldn't fend off the first two across the line, though he didn't lose any admirers by holding on for third in a tight tussle to the line.
Race 6 – Hoi Ha Handicap, HK $1,860,000,
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1000m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 56.92 Standard Time: 56.45 Course/Class record: 54.89 Voyage Warrior
GLOWING PRAISES (AUS 4yo g Yes Yes Yes – Miss Benedetta), formerly Enright when racing in Australia, wasted no time getting on the board in Hong Kong, scoring an unlikely win on debut. From barrier eight, the gelding jumped on terms and settled near the speed, racing away from the grandstand rail through the middle stages. He did have a back to follow in the run, with Poon beginning to urge him along from the 450m point. He looked to be just grinding away in the straight, until the 150m point where he emerged between runners and quickly took the lead. He took control and never looked back, scoring by a half-length on the line as a $32 and bringing up a winning double for Matthew Poon. TOGETHER WE VALUE wasn't far off Glowing Praises in the run and came off his back to challenge for the win early in the straight. The pair made their runs together but couldn't get his nose in front. He would hold on for second place ahead of the fast-finishing SIGHT HERMOSO who jumped the race favourite for Brenton Avdulla and John Size.
Race 7 – Long Valley Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:34.32 Standard Time: 1:34.90 Course/Class record: 1:33.28 Bright Inheritance
Dylan Browne McMonagle picked up a winning double on the day, scoring aboard BLAZING WUKONG (AUS 4yo g Toronado – Lotta Sugar) who was dropping back to Class 4. Despite jumping well, the gelding drifted back through the early stages of the race to be near the tail on settling down, racing in the three-wide trail. He was racing comfortably in the second half of the field, cruising into the race nicely around the home turn with McMonagle getting him to the middle of the track. The response was immediate and he quickly moved up to take the lead with 200m to run. It was all over bar the shouting once he took the lead, careering away to win very easily, scoring by 2-1/4 lengths on the line. ROBOT STAR had to do some work early from a tricky draw but was able to slot into the one-out-one-back position for Purton. The champion hoop couldn't have given the $6.70 chance a better run in transit and popped into the clear to make his mark on straightening. He hit the front at the top of the stretch but he was no match for Blazing Wukong down the outside. He stuck on well to hold on for second position, but the winner was just a cut above. DASHING MAURISON flew home at a massive $145 starting price to take third. He was last in the run for Keith Yeung and David Hayes, flying late to finish in the placings.
Race 8 – The Hong Kong Classic Mile, HK $13,000,000,
4 Year Olds – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:33.31 Standard Time: N/A Course/Class record: N/A
LITTLE PARADISE (AUS 4yo g Toronado – Devil In Her Heart) picked up the hat-trick and bolted in to secure the Hong Kong Classic Mile, the first leg of the 4 Year Old Series. The gelding was a little slow into stride from barrier six and ended up settling near the tail of the field as they sorted their order out. The speed was good throughout, though Vincent Ho had plenty of traffic in front of him as they came into the straight. He was held up badly coming to the 300m point with Ho having to change course a number of times as he looked for daylight. He got clear inside the final furlong and he sprouted wings, putting the race to bed in a matter of strides and securing the win by two lengths in impressive fashion. INFINITE RESOLVE lobbed into a midfield position from barrier three with Alex Badel doing no work in the early stages of the race. He needed some luck on straightening and was slightly held up with 300m to run, splitting a gap with 200m to run to loom as a chance. That was before Little Paradise flew home, though Infinite Resolve was best of the rest. BEAUTY BOLT stuck on well with a strong tempo on offer, finishing in third place just 2-1/2 lengths off the winner.
Race 9 – Robin's Nest Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.39 Standard Time: 1:22.00 Course/Class record: 1:20.76 Top Dragon
James Orman and David Hall combined to win race nine on the card with RISING PHOENIX (NZ 4yo g Darci Brahma – Flying Firebird). He didn't jump well from gate four and Orman quickly crossed down to the rail, kicking up along the fence to be in a midfield position as they approached the first turn. He was well placed with a solid tempo on offer and was able to pinch ground on his rivals along the fence. He was still travelling strongly coming to the turn with Orman riding for luck up the fence. The gap opened and the gelding was there for the Australian when he needed, sliding up the fence to take the lead coming to the 100m point. He didn't go around a horse and was just too good in the end, winning by 1-1/2 lengths in a strong victory. CIRCUIT FIERY settled on the back of the leader, with Rising Phoenix behind him in the run. Harry Bentley got off the rail coming to the home turn, getting to the outside at the top of the straight to make his move. This gave Rising Phoenix the run back to the inside. He was just grinding away in the straight, finishing in second position as he got his nose down on the line. NYX GLUCK finished off strongly from back in the pack to take third position for James McDonald and Cody Mo.
Race 10 – Kat O Handicap, HK $2,050,000,
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:33.82 Standard Time: 1:34.70 Course/Class record: 1:33.19 Beauty Fit
LUCKY SAM GOR (NZ 4yo g Press Statement – Giovanna Bella) made it back-to-back victories, rising to the mile and getting the job done once again. The gelding jumped well from barrier 10 but was restrained by Jerry Chau to end up at the tail of the field as they sorted their order out. Chau was racing three-wide but did have cover out deep, which allowed him to improve his position with ease as they turned off the back. The leader was well in front at the 600m point, but Chau wasn't panicking as he tracked into the race ominously. He still had 5-1/4 lengths to make up at the top of the straight, but he was cruising up to them before Chau asked for an effort. The gelding flew down the outside to take the lead close to home and get the job done by a neck on the line. SERAPH GABRIEL sat just off the speed in running for James McDonald and was well positioned coming to the home turn. The Kiwi hoop got into the clear and the gelding let down strongly as he ran to the front coming to the final furlong. He proved tough to mow down for Lucky Sam Gor and didn't go down without a fight once he was passed, finishing well clear of third position. NATURAL NUMBERS rounded out the placings as the $153 outsider of the field.
Race 11 – Yan Chau Tong Handicap, HK $1,860,000,
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.27 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class record: 1:20.62 Preciousship
SUPER EXPRESS (NZ 4yo g Ten Sovereigns – Bronte Lass) rounded out a successful day for the John Size stable, securing a winning treble with Maxime Guyon on board in the final event of the day. After jumping well, Guyon rolled forward to be close to the speed, though he was caught very wide going to the first turn. After being trapped deep, Guyon tried to ease back into a position with cover, though he was kept racing wide by his rivals. He was just off the speed through the middle stages but looked to be travelling well turning for home and the gelding responded to the urgings of the Frenchman. He took the lead with 200m to run and showed plenty of strength to break away from his nearest rivals, going on to score by three quarters of a length. SIX PACK had kept Super Express wide in the run after settling on the back of the leader from barrier one and the gelding travelled well into the straight. He was held up in the straight and was only able to slice through a narrow gap late in the race, finishing off strongly to take second position. SUNNY DA BEST finished off well out wide to take third place for Harry Bentley and Chris So after jumping a $44 chance.
Check out the latest Singapore News