Hong Kong Racing
Race Review of Sha Tin 25th January 2026
Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Sha Tin races.
Race 1 – Peniaphobia Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 56.73 Standard Time: 56.65 Course/Class record: 54.94 United We Stand
After some impressive trials coming into his debut, GOLD PATCH (NZ 3yo g Ardrossan – La Donna) was backed into the $1.5 favourite and saluted for Francis Lui and James McDonald. He got away on terms from an outside draw and showed good speed to settle close to the speed as they worked across to the grandstand rail. He was right there to strike at the 400m point and when McDonald shook the reins, the gelding responded immediately. He got away from the leaders with 200m to run, though Sparkling Fellow was coming at him strongly in the closing stages. Gold Patch looked to be feeling the pinch late in the race, but McDonald was able to lift him over the line, scoring by a short head. SPARKLING FELLOW was slowly out of the barriers and Zac Purton slid across the back of the field to get closer to the grandstand rail. He was nearly last as the ran onto the course proper and continued to work toward the grandstand rail, with the gelding travelling into the race strongly. The gelding quickened nicely when Purton asked for an effort and he was coming at the leader strongly, though he was unable to stick his nose in front. YEE CHEONG GLORY stuck on well after settling near Sparkling Fellow at the back of the pack. He finished off nicely to take third, though the first two across the line were just better on the day.
Race 2 – Beat The Clock Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.16 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.36 Jubilant Winner
Zac Purton pegged one back in race two as LUCKY EIGHT (AUS 7yo g Pride Of Dubai – Hussy Five Oh) returned to winning ways for the first time since October 2024. The seven-year-old jumped quickly from barrier 13 and Purton put the handlebars down, rolling forward to cross and lead as they turned off the back straight. He was setting a decent tempo up front and was unable to get a reprieve through the middle stages, keeping the field running around the home turn. Purton still had a good hold of the gelding at the top of the straight and he was there to be beaten if his rivals were good enough, with multiple challengers laying down the gauntlet in the straight. Ultimately, they couldn't get past him, with Lucky Eight fending them off to score by a short head. GALLANT DESIGN was a little slow into stride, but Brenton Avdulla kicked up approaching the 800m point to be in a midfield position off the back. The Australian had plenty of rivals in front of him, though he was able to slice his way through the traffic on straightening and was grinding away in the straight. He was inching into the margin with every stride and put in a big dive right at the post, but it wasn't enough. INVICTUS DRAGON worked into the race three-wide with cover before getting wider on straightening to make his run. He was there to win if good enough, though he may have run out of puff in the dying stages.
Race 3 – Ambitious Dragon Handicap, HK $3,120,000,
Class 2 – Turf - Distance 2000m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 2:00.83 Standard Time: 2:01.70 Course/Class record: 1:59.53 Glorious Forever
WINNING WING (NZ 5yo g Preferment – Stand Firm) returned to winning ways, bringing up a winning double for trainer Francis Lui. From an inside barrier, son of Preferment jumped well and was niggled at to hold his position for Dylan Mo, sitting much closer than he has done in recent performances. He raced beautifully on the back of the leader and when the pace lifted down the back straight, the five-year-old was there for Mo as they continued to stalk the pace setter. There was no change to the order coming to the 600m point with, with Winning Wing coming under pressure as Mo looked to make his move on straightening. The gap opened up and Mo was there to pounce, moving up quickly to stick his head in front with around 300m in front. He was running around a bit in front and to Prestige Good's credit, he wouldn't go down without a fight. It was a two-horse war over the closing stages and just when Prestige Good looked to be getting back on top, Winning Wing gritted his teeth and stuck his neck out to get the job done. PRESTIGE GOOD went straight to the front from barrier two and set the tempo throughout the race. He wasn't challenged in front and was able to do as he pleased, steadily ramping up the tempo from about the 1000m point and sprinted quickly on straightening. Winning Wing quickly joined him at the top of the stretch and took over, though Richard Kingscote's mount wouldn't die wondering. He fought hard right down to the post, but he couldn't stick his nose back in front. GENTLEMEN LEGACY finished off nicely down the outside, making steady ground in the straight to finish three quarters of a length away in third.
Race 4 – Mr Vitality Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:08.97 Standard Time: 1:09.35 Course/Class record: 1:08.36 Jubilant Winner
ISLAND BUDDY (AUS 5yo g Brave Smash – Treatmelikealady) saluted in his debut for the Brett Crawford stable, leading all of the way to record his maiden victory at start 11. The gelding fired out of the barriers and went straight to the front for Karis Teetan. He set a solid tempo out in front, although he wasn't pressured in the lead as they worked through the middle stages of the race. On straightening, Island Buddy was still travelling strongly with Teetan sitting patiently aboard the five-year-old until the 300m point. He kicked strongly when the Mauritian hoop pushed the button, but the race favourite loomed up with 100m to run. Just when it looked like Island Buddy would get overtaken, he gritted his teeth and stuck his neck out to hold on for the win. PACKING GLORY jumped the race favourite and landed in the one-out-one-back position for Zac Purton. The champion hoop gave him every chance in the run and peeled into the clear at the top of the straight. It took him a little while to wind up in the straight, but he was coming strongly at the furlong pole and looked the winner with 100m left to run. In the end, he couldn't get his nose in front and finished a short head away. PERIDOT finished off nicely from a midfield position. He didn't have the best of luck early in the straight as Avdulla looked for clear running, but he closed nicely once he saw daylight to take third.
Race 5 – Sound Print Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.64 Standard Time: 1:22.00 Course/Class record: 1:20.76 Top Dragon
TURIN CHAMPIONS (AUS 3yo g Harry Angel – Psychedelic) had been knocking on the door of a maiden win, with Hugh Bowman guiding the David Hayes-trained gelding to victory in race five. Despite jumping on terms, Bowman took the gelding to the back of the pack from the wide barrier, sitting three-wide with cover at the tail of the field. He tracked into the race nicely around the home turn but was still well off the leader at the top of the straight with Bowman swinging to the outside at the top of the stretch. He put a rival back in a pocket early in the straight as he ground away out wider, pegging back the margin with every stride before putting his nose in front with around 50m left to go. He drew away late to win by a half-length on the line. GALLANT EPOCH worked across from gate six to land in the one-out-one-back position for Maxime Guyon, tracking the speed throughout the event. After a lovely run in transit, Guyon presented the gelding at the top of the straight and the response was immediate. He moved up to hit the front narrowly at the 200m mark but wasn't in front for long as Lucky Mcqueen stuck his nose in front shortly after. He was no match for the winner, but out-stayed Lucky Mcqueen to get back to second position. LUCKY MCQUEEN snuck up the inside to take the lead momentarily, though he couldn't keep on with the job, tiring late to end up in third.
Race 6 – The Centenary Sprint Cup, HK $13,000,000,
Group One – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:07.66 Standard Time: 1:08.15 Course/Class record: 1:07.20 Ka Ying Rising
KA YING RISING (NZ 5yo g Shamexpress – Missy Moo) extended his winning run to 17 in-a-row, tying the great Silent Witness in the process. He got away on terms and went straight to the front under Zac Purton, sitting on the pace, though he was taken on going into the first turn, with Purton allowing that runner to take up the running. Purton got off heels through the middle stages and ambled up on the outside of the leader on straightening. The result was never in any doubt as Ka Ying Rising ran to the lead shortly after straightening, putting a big gap on his rivals before being throttled down close to home. The final margin was just 1-1/4 lengths, though it was much easier than that result makes it out to be. HELIOS EXPRESS bounced back to form, finishing a clear second for Hugh Bowman and John Size. Bowman got onto the back of Ka Ying Rising in the run and held onto his tail as he followed him down the straight. He ran to second inside the final furlong and broke away from the chasing group, finishing two lengths clear in second position. FAST NETWORK continued his good run of form, crossing the line in third place.
Race 7 – Waikuku Handicap, HK $1,170,000,
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1400m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:21.25 Standard Time: 1:22.00 Course/Class record: 1:20.76 Top Dragon
POSITIVE SMILE (NZ 5yo g Per Incanto – Eva Godiva) made it back-to-back wins, bringing up a winning treble for trainer David Hayes. The gelding was taken back from the wide barrier, with Keith Yeung settling at the tail of the field. The pace was good up front and as they turned off the back, the five-year-old found himself a clear last. He was still in that position by the 600m point, but Yeung had shifted into the three-wide trail and got a lovely tow into the race, building up his momentum as he ended up as one of the widest on straightening. He tracked into the race strongly out wide and let down powerfully when Yeung asked for an effort. He moved up to take the lead and was far too good for his rivals, putting good margins through the field and making it three wins in a row for the Hayes stable. AEROINVINCIBLE set the tempo for Andrea Atzeni, cruising along at a good clip. Despite the solid tempo, he kicked clear on straightening and broke away from his rivals. He was in front at the furlong marker, but not for long as Positive Smile quickly took control. Aeroinvincible stuck on well to finish in second position, with FORZA TORO back in third place. Ellis Wong snuck up the fence to finish 2-1/2 lengths off the winner after settling well back in the run.
Race 8 – The Stewards' Cup, HK $1,860,000,
Group One – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:32.60 Standard Time: 1:33.90 Course/Class record: 1:32.55 My Wish
ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE 8yo g Acclamation – Folk Melody) extended his unbeaten run since returning to Hong Kong, securing his first win at a mile since the Yasuda Kinen in June 2024. The forgiving run down the back straight was to the advantage of Romantic Warrior, with James McDonald unable to slot into the running line early in the race. They were racing in a line of four through the opening stages with Romantic Warrior four wide through the early stages, with James McDonald rolling forward as they approached the first turn. He settled on the outside of the leader through the middle stages, and his main danger Voyage Bubble tried to take it to the champion racehorse around the home turn. McDonald sat patiently aboard the gelding however and he quickly shook off Voyage Bubble under his own steam. He shot clear when asked for an effort and he went on to win very easily, scoring by 1-3/4 lengths. LUCKY SWEYNESSE rolled forward to take up the running after being caught wide from the outside barrier. It was his first try at the mile and he was able to dictate the tempo, turning into a sit-and-sprint affair. He was unable to match Romantic Warrior in the straight, but he was clear in second position as he continued his return to form. VOYAGE BUBBLE and Zac Purton tried to force Romantic Warrior's hand on straightening but couldn't finish off late in the race. He raced three-wide throughout the event which may have told late, just holding on for third in a tight finish.
Race 9 – Able Friend Handicap, HK $2,840,000,
Class 2 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.01 Standard Time: 1:08.65 Course/Class record: 1:07.76 Tomodachi Kokoroe
INVINCIBLE SHIELD (AUS 5yo g I Am Invincible – Pierro Moss) got back to winning ways for the first time in almost a year, winning narrowly and bringing up a winning treble for trainer Francis Lui. From an inside barrier, Vincent Ho kicked up to hold his position on the back of the lead on settling down. The pace was just fair as they sorted their order out, with Ho continuing to pinch ground along the fence as they turned off the back straight. He travelled strongly around the home turn and was there to strike on straightening, with Ho just needing some room to move in the straight. The local hoop ducked back to the inside rail and quickened nicely, setting out after the leader under his top weight. He stuck his nose in front close to home and got the job done in a photo finish. YOUNG CHAMPION drifted back in the early stages of the race, settling in the three-wide trail in the second half of the field. As they turned off the back, Matthew Chadwick began to improve, following the cover through the middle stages and presenting strongly down the outside at the top of the stretch. He loomed into the race and took the lead narrowly with 200m to run but couldn't fend off Invincible Shield who snuck up the fence. PATCH OF STARS just couldn't go with Invincible Shield and Young Champion late in the race, finishing 1-1/4 lengths away in third.
Race 10 – Aerovelocity Handicap, HK $1,860,000,
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:08.61 Standard Time: 1:09.00 Course/Class record: 1:08.11 Victor The Winner
Zac Purton got back to winning ways as he steered the Manfred Man-trained HAPPY INDEX (AUS 4yo g I Am Invincible - Heatherly) to his maiden win at start two. The gelding jumped well from his inside barrier and landed on the back of the leader as they sorted their order out. He stalked the leader and race favourite through the run and had plenty of room to get off the fence approaching the home turn to build into the race. Purton popped off heels at the top of the straight and he looked very confident at the top of the straight. The gelding let down impressively when asked for an effort, taking the lead with 150m to run and he pulled away late in the race, scoring by 1-1/2 lengths in very easy fashion. RISING FORCE stuck on gamely after setting the tempo. He ran along at a good tempo throughout but kicked still kicked strongly at the top of the straight when Kingscote asked for an effort. Happy Index just had the perfect run in transit and made the most of it, with Rising Force unable to fight back in the dying stages. The $1.7 favourite held on to run second. HEAVING stayed on well late in the race to steal third position in a photo finish for Luke Ferraris and David Eustace.
Race 11 – Beauty Generation Handicap, HK $2,050,000,
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1600m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:33.79 Standard Time: 1:34.70 Course/Class record: 1:33.19 Beauty Fit
FLYING LUCK (AUS 5yo g Written Tycoon – Snitzel Blitz) bounced back to winning ways after being scratched on veterinary advice two months ago. The five-year-old jumped on terms but drifted back in the early stages to settle near the tail of the field. Ellis Wong crossed down to the rail and was able to pick up some ground approaching the first turn with a good tempo being set up front. As they worked through the middle stages, Wong got off the inside fence, wedging his way between horses as they turned for home. The local hoop had plenty of traffic in front of him on straightening, with Wong angling out and getting clear air with around 250m remaining. Once he got clear, he let down strongly to loom up with 50m to run, taking the lead close to home and scoring by three quarters of a length. LOVERO rolled forward in the early stages and slotted into the one-out-one-back position in the early stages, enjoying a lovely run in the first half of the race. After having the run of the race throughout, Harry Bentley peeled into the clear to make his challenge early in the straight. He was grinding away out wider, eventually sticking his nose in front with around 150m remaining. He couldn't fend off Flying Luck who stormed home late in the race, but he held on to run second. WITHALLMYFAITH took the lead with authority at the top of the straight. He fought hard when challenged in the straight, not going down without a fight.
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