Hong Kong Racing
Sha Tin Preview - 25th January 2026
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - A+3 Course
Race 1
#8 GOLD PATCH looks a ready made race horse judge on his three Hong Kong trial wins with the pick of the trio being his effort here at Sha Tin over the straight 1000m in December.James McDonald was aboard the aforementioned gallop where he displaying speed, strength and high degree of mental maturity and track sense.After being sold at the New Zealand ready to run sale in 2024 for NZ $250k, he should undoubtedly have what it takes to land a perfect start.
#6 SPICY SPEEDY bumped into the talented TURQUOIS VELOCITY on debut which in time shall end up being formidable class 4 form.Trainer Chris So allowed him ample recovery time and he now arrives refreshed and ready for a second attempt down the Sha Tin straight.In between, Vincent Ho took the reigns in a 1050m barrier trial, which was run at a furious rate, but he raced handy before coasting comfortably all the way to the line.
#2 SPARKLING FELLOW raced eight times in Australia before being exported to Hong Kong so he was quite well expose before arrival.He's shown glimpses in the majority of his races under trainer Davis Hall but has developed a habit of being slow to muster. Dropping into class 4 for the first time is significant, and the change required, because at the moment that's where he belongs. The booking of the top jockey, after competing quietly in a recent trial, obviously adds confidence.
#11 LIVE WIRE appeared well enough prepared on debut but was unable to find the output level required to take the race when it counted.Zac Purton had completed quite a chunk of the preliminary preparation leading into that performance but now shifts to SPARKLING FELLOW.Trainer Douglas Whyte has since completed all the lead up work on the training track himself, so I wouldn't be disrespectful just yet.
#4 YEE CHONG GLORY interestingly comes out of the same trial SPICY SPEEDY and SPARKLING FELLOW recently competed in, however, he flew home at an impressive rate to eventually grab second.Mathew Chadwich now takes the reigns from Zac Purton after a disappointing performance last start ,but, in his defence, he was ridden circumstantially upside down.His last victory was in this grade and it's felt that he'll appreciated straight racing.
Selections : 8,6,2,11,4
R2 - 12,1,4,9,2
R3 - 4,2,5,7,9
R4 - 1,2,12,5,7
R5 - 3,7,11,2,5
Race 6
"CENTENARY SPRINT CUP" (WORLD POOL)
(Gp 1 - 1200m - Set Weights)
#1 KA YING RISING ended season 2024/2025 with a twelfth consecutive victory by claiming the Gp1 Chairman's Sprint Prize and Hong Kong "Horse of the Year" title before being aimed directly at a trip to the Gp1 Tab Everest in Sydney/Australia.It was a memorable performance to successfully navigate the travel and quarantine procedures before wowing a world wide audience with a dominant and inspirational display.Now comfortably back on home soil, he defended his winning record first up in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint before back-to-back G1 Internationals Sprints, and a 16 consecutive win.A crack at equaling the almighty record of SILENT WINTNESS, via a 17th consecutive wins is now the challenge ahead, although by the way he floated during his final gallop it wont be a challenge at all.
#3 FAST NETWORK underwent throat surgery during the off season break before being sent forward first up over 1400m.The performance was graded strong, considering the cushion in the track and early energy burned, but he was eventually overhauled final strides.He then bounce back with an exciting win down the Sha Tin straight where he reeled off enormous sectional time.He's since chased home KA YING RISING on two occasions for minor results and that'll likely be the case again, however, with a smaller field to manoeuvre or lead, he's tipped to run the quinella. #4 RAGING BLIZZARD was thoroughly deserved of his opportunity to compete at International level for the first time in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint where he soaked up the harsh mid-race tempo before closing wonderfully well to grab 2nd.He's considered a course and distance specialist following eight top two finishes over the Sha Tin 1200m and once more couldn't be better prepared.Another career best performance is predicted, although that wont probably be enough, but he continues climbing the ratings mountain and must be respected.
#2 HELIOS EXPRESS is currently rated the third best sprinter in Hong Kong behind the all conquering KA YING RISING and four time Gp1 winner LUCKY SWEYNESSE.He's had multiple cracks at KA YING RISING in the past and is yet to measure up so it's illogical to suggest that'll change.With his form poised to peak, he should be ready to beat the rest, but two recent barrier trials have further exposed a lack of endeavour, so it would appear he hasn't quite come back to his best.
#5 TOMODACHI KOKOROE set the Sha Tin track alight during the early months of the season with three high calibre wins over the 1200m in fast time.His first attempt at Gp2 level under the set weights/penalties scale quickly sorted him out, as did the G1 HONG KONG sprint.In his defence however, the sectional data he produced when winning the G2 Premier Bowl confirmed he's a real talent, but on that occasion he shouldered just the 115lbs.
Selections : 1,3,4,2,5
R7 - 3,4,7,1,11
Race 8
"STEWARDS' CUP" (WORLD POOL)
(Gp1 - 1600m - Set Weights)
#1 ROMANTIC WARRIOR returned to racing a 7yo in the 2000m G2 Jockey Club Cup in November and there was never a worrying moment as he powered away from VOYAGE BUBBLE to comfortably win.With victories at the highest level in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and Dubai he's the true meaning of the title "CHAMPION" and the unprecedented fourth consecutive G1 Hong Kong Cup victory in December only reconfirmed his status.The field is small, and he comes back in distance the 1600m for the first time since the G1 Yasuda Kinen in June 2024, but neither appear an issue.
#2 VOYAGE BUBBLE would've been crowned Hong Kong "Horse Of The Year" last season, if it wasn't for KA YING RISING, after winning four G1 races over varying distances from 1600m - 2400m.With a International rating of 121, the defending champion won't be an easy nut to crack particularly after another brave performance in the G1 Hong Kong Mile.His track work leading in has been controlled and perfectly sound, so it'll be fascinating to see if he can somehow dismantle ROMANTIC WARRIOR.
#8 MY WISH was superb in last seasons 4yo Classic Series where he narrowly tasted defeat in the Hong Kong Classic Cup and Hong Kong Derby, but won the Hong Kong Classic Mile.He possesses excellent tactical speed, is capable of finding under immense pressure, whilst importantly possessing the ability to break 22.00 seconds through a final 400m dash.A surprise defeat in the G2 Jockey Club Mile as the 1.4Fav had the red lights flashing and that continued on into the G1 Hong Kong Mile.He's yet to stand up to the demands of geuine G1 racing but the way he's works, trials and races he cant be fully dismissed just yet.
#3 GALAXY PATCH was undefeated first up going into the Gp2 Sha Tin trophy but an average start and traffic congestion, particularly in the home straight, brought that sequence to an end.He then went back to the trials on two separate occasions to make headway in the fitness stakes and consequently brought a new level of energy to the G2 Jockey Club Mile, which he won. James McDonald was then upbeat about his prospects leading into the G1 Hong Kong Mile but an average beginning made the process to greater task.Nevertheless, it's worth remembering he gamely finished 2nd to VOYAGE BUBBLE in this event last year beaten two lengths.
#6 LUCKY SWEYNESSE was king of the Hong Kong sprinting ranks a few seasons back.He then, fired-up racing enthusiasts with a hard-core chase of KA YING RISING earlier this season which followed on from a long injury layoff.Ultra competitive efforts in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint, and G1 Hong Kong Sprint further confirmed his well being and he's since continued to work like a runaway train.If a good warm up on the way to the gates transpires, he may attempt a cheeky lead.
Selections : 1,2,8,3,6
R9 - 4,1,10,7,2
R10 - 1,4,2,14,9
R11 - 12,7,2,1,9
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