Hong Kong Racing
Sha Tin Preview - 21st January 2026
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
All-Weather Track (All Races)
Race 1
#5 ROBOT KNIGHT won 4th up last season over this course and distance and on that occasion was rated 43 points under the care of trainer Pierre Ng. Tonight, he's 4th up under the care of trainer Manfred Man and rated 38 points, which places him in class 5 for just the second time. Importantly, local apprentice Ellis Wong takes a 5lb claim, the pair are ideally drawn and furthermore know each other well.
#6 ONLY U generally gives away a reasonable start in his races, which doesn't help on this surface, but he's absolutely glowing in the mornings and busting to win. The option to come back onto the dirt at 1200m doesn't read all that inviting but I've seen it work out for similar gallopers in the past. Plus, with Karis Teetan on for good mate Brett Crawford you can guarantee he'll be hitting the line.
#12 SONIC BOOM hasn't raced on the all weather track since September but does boast a consistent record on this deck from eleven starts. He hasn't been suited by the wide gates his past couple on turf but output levels remain at a similar and competitive rate. He'll require luck in the early stages to overcome the tricky draw but he's close to cracking another win.
#11 MACANESE MASTER was a surprise winner recently but the former Macau galloper seems to have responded to the change of environment. Whether he can buck the trend in this class and make it back to back wins remains to be seen but it's worth highlighting, he's won another trial on this surface leading in.
#9 EXCELLENT DADDY has begun badly at his past couple so his form now reads poor. Nevertheless, he's not the worst in this tricky class 5 contest as his overall record highlights. With a good draw and previous winning jockey aboard he only has to step away with them, and he instantly becomes an each way chance at a price.
Selections : 5,6,12,11,9
R2 - 7,12,6,1,4
Race 3
#6 MONTA FRUTTA is a fully exposed athlete these days and it's clear that he can run, but he can likewise be untrustworthy as his form also reveals. What's semi-consistent with his output levels however is his appreciation for the dirt. He's only had the two runs back this campaign from a heart irregularity, which sidelined him for 6 months, but both efforts have displayed readiness to win.
#11 JUICY DRAGON did very little in his debut at Sha Tin over the 1400m this season before heading to Happy Valley for another two attempts. He's since put in a much improved effort on the all weather under local A-Grade jockey Vincent Ho and he's obviously keen to jump back aboard. He's also raced by the trainers personally formed syndicate which is a good indicator that he can run.
#3 FLOWING RICHES recorded solid sectional time when winning first up over the straight 1000m before fading out at his next assignment. Since then, he's struggled with big weights on two occasions at Sha Tin and now switches to the all-weather track for the first time. He trialled well on this surface before the season commenced and the 5lb claiming rider goes on.
#8 GLACIATED has come good this season after an average opening preparation and his American pedigree aligns superbly with this surface. Maxine Guyon remains atop for a fourth consecutive ride and the low draw is key to the pair holding a position and initial ground. The pace shall be strong to run at, which is what he wants, so it'll likely come down to talent.
#10 SPEEDY SMARTIE has enjoyed a solid and consistent season overall with a win here on the all-weather over 1200m in September, and a 1000m win at Happy Valley in November. He's a happy horse in the stable of new Hong Kong trainer Brett Crawford and with regular jockey Karis Teetan aboard, from a favourable draw, he's difficult to overlook. On the flip side, he's yet to win off a rating higher than 40 points.
Selections : 6,11,3,8,10
R4 - 3,6,5,1,2
R5 - 1,2,3,4,12
R6 - 2,1,14,6,12
R7 - 8,4,6,11,5
R8 - 9,2,12,10,3
R9 - 4,5,13,12,10
Check out the latest South African News