Hong Kong Racing
Sha Tin Preview - 1st January 2026
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - B+2 Course
Race 1
#3 PANDA LEGEND is a lightly raced 7yo who's unfortunately suffered multiple leg injuries throughout his stop/start career. He won a class 4 over 1400m impressively two seasons back before injury halted any continuity or momentum during future campaigns. He then found his way into class 5 at the tail end of last term and better results began to follow. He was extremely honest in defeat during his first three runs this preparation before a recent Happy Valley 1650m contest didn't go to plan.
#10 GANGNAM STAR has produced three encouraging efforts this time in and is ready to knock another victory into the back of the net. He's always given the impression 1600m was within his range and a fast finishing effort over this distance last start again confirmed that to be the case. We know he needs a good speed to run at in the home straight to produce his best, and that maybe a slight concern, but he's moving the best I've seen in a longtime so whatever beats him probably wins.
#14 STRONGEST BOY is the winner of only the one race and the lowest rated competitor taking part but his recent sectional data has him graded competitive. With a feather weight of 115lbs on his back, and a return to the longer home straight and open spaces of Sha Tin, he's expected to finish closer to the winner than in recent starts. It's a longshot to say he can win but I'm fascinated to see where he end's up.
#2 JOLLY JUMPER has no form to speak of but did perform well at the trials recently under the guidance of race day rider Brenton Avdulla. He comfortably led throughout in the referenced 1200m heat, so with the lack of a noted leader engaged he could be ideally suited. Questions still remain however over his ability to run out a strong mile but he'll be given every chance.
#7 SHINE BRIGHT steps up in distance to the 1600m for the first time and with the advantage of a low draw should contest for the lead. A strong third placing over 1200m in class 4 last season would give him some hope here but runners from this stable are often extremely difficult to guage. Nevertheless, James Orman has been aboard in recent gallops and is a rider currently in form.
Selections : 3,10,14,2,7
R2 - 8,11,1,4,12
R3 - 6,2,5,14,7
R4 - 2,6,12,1,14
R5 - 6,2,5,1,11
Race 6
#10 BETTER AND BETTER was caught off the track throughout the 1400m journey two starts ago an consequently outsprinted in the run to the line. He then suffered interference out the gates last start before surging forward during the middle stages. Local ace jockey Vincent Ho again takes the reigns, so I'd be confident, from the inside gate, he won't allow a similar early mistake to unfold.
#9 PROUD BOX is only small in stature but possess a nice lengthy stride and fluent action when allowed to build acceleration. He's still raw, physically immature and unsure exactly how to use all four legs but continues gaining confidence with every gallop. Unfortunately, he maps to travel mid-field on the rail which is not ideal, however, if he copes with the predicament well he'll run a big race.
#1 SUNDAY SERENADE races best with a solid speed to run at and that appears to be somewhat void in this tricky contest. Furthermore, he's yet to win at Sha Tin from 12 attempts and has never won over the 1400m. Conversely, recent performances indicate that he's feeling well and on the verge of another win, so with Zac Purton now aboard, he's difficult to pen.
#3 THE HEIR ran a huge race at Happy Valley under James Orman last start over the insufficient journey of 1200m. He also won a race similar to this first up before narrowly failing under these same conditions his following start. Lack of tempo is again the query surrounding his winning prospects but he's another that's currently moving well.
#4 BEAUTY VIVA is the x-factor component and has the biggest motor but is still coming to grips with the art of racing in Hong Kong. If this event was being run over the straight 1400m, opposed to the circled 1400m, he'd without doubt win with a leg in the air. Ironically, that's precisely what he did at Newmarket in 2024 when racing away to win by 5 lengths.
Selections : 10,9,1,3,4
R7 - 4,2,1,3,6
Race 8
CHINESE CLUB CHALLENGE CUP
(Gp3 - 1400m - Hcp)
#3 PACKING HERMOD has only missed a top 4 finish on one occasion and therefore must be respected. He's an outstanding type who'll more than likely develop into a genuine group horse this season and may even taste his first group success today. With most of the required attributes to win at this level alongside his name he'll be further advantaged here by the solid foundation of racing already absorbed this campaign. Furthermore, three barrier trials have been undertaken since his last run, and he won them all.
#4 LIGHT YEARS CHARM was exceptional in victory at his final three starts last season both visually and on the clock. After a failure behind GALAXY PATCH in the Gp2 Jockey Club Mile most recently connections aborted the big day in December and instead focused on the easier contests domestically available. His preparatory trial was decent considering he totally missed the start, and with Zac Purton choosing he, ahead of others, he's going to be hard to beat.
#7 AERIS NOVAS switched stables during the off-season break, from Benno Yung to Cody Mo, and the transition appears justified following a last start win. He's always displayed above average ability but elevating from class 2 is often a zone where good gallopers end up getting stuck. However, most key indicators point in the direction of an unreached ceiling, so be mindful of keeping him very safe.
#1 TOMODACHI KOKOROE set the track alight during September/October with three fantastic wins over 1200m in fast time. He then bumped into KA YING RISING, at set weights, during the lead up and Gp1 International Sprint and quickly came back to the pack. Back in grade to class 2, whilst upping in trip to 1400m carrying big weight makes for an interesting mix, but the important factor is the inside draw.
#10 SKY TRUST rises in class and distance, which is always difficult to conqueror, but similar to AERIS NOVA has displayed the potential to handle the gap between class 2 and group racing. The handicap conditions on offer also make it as easier at the weights whilst the dominance of his recent win underlines progression. Group 3 handicaps are consistently one of the more difficult events to assess, so tread warily if you plan on taking him on.
Selections : 3,4,7,1,10
R9 - 11,3,2,1,8
R10 - 9,1,13,11,5
R11 - 4,2,1,12,3
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