Hong Kong Racing
Sha Tin Preview - 8th February 2026
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - C Course
Awt - 2,4,9
Race 1
#1 GALE SAGA is a better horse than his recent form suggests and should be strongly considered in the first race of the day. With the Happy Valley 1650m and all weather assignments unsuitable earlier this preparation a return to the scene of both career wins is the desired option. It didn't work out that way for Maxine Guyon two runs back over this course and trip but Karis Teetan got it right last time he went around. He maps well and the pace appears quick enough to suit his closing strength.
#8 THE CONCENTRATION has been the victim of multiple traffic issues and plenty of mistakes this season until it all fell into place last start. He's drawn a middle gate this time out, which is better than drawing low, because from out there he can stay clear of bother while attempting to build closing speed. His recent track work and trial at Conghua continued to display well-being but the 6lb rise at the weights is in favour of GALE SAGA.
#7 MAJESTIC DELIGHT has been specked in the betting at his last three assignments and it wasn't the first time he'd been the subject of monetary confidence. Unfortunately, for those who were involved most recently the option to ease out from the wide barrier made it sectionally impossible for him to feature. He is tactically versatile, but certainly more effective when ridden with patience, therefore the low advantageous draw today creates the best of both worlds.
#9 MANYTHANKS FOREVER draws pole position following a handsome win last start so there shouldn't be to many excuses in the run. The 7lb rise may test his fighting qualities when push comes to shove but he did win with plenty in hand when coming back in trip. Class 5 gallopers do have a low percentage of winning back-to-back races when the opportunity arises, but statistics in this grade are often defective.
#5 MY FLYING ANGEL produced an extraordinary win first up over the 1400m but has since struggled to repeat the dose. On that occasion, he reeled off an outstanding final 400m of 22.45 to blast his way between runners to score, but only honest efforts and minor results have since followed. Nevertheless, the anticipated tempo shall suit his style so I wouldn't let him go around disrespected.
Selections : 1,8,7,9,5
R2 - 1,3,11,12,8
R3 - 10,5,1,3,12
Race 4
#3 SPEEDY SMARTIE was enjoying an excellent season leading into his last start win but a decisive smashing was totally unexpected. He's obviously a happy horse in the stable of new Hong Kong trainer Brett Crawford and with regular jockey Karis Teetan, behind the wheel once again, he's going to take beating. The 10lb rise at the weights, plus acute oppositional pace drawn underneath shall make this a different challenge but he's never raced this well.
#12 JUICY DRAGON did very little in his debut at Sha Tin over the 1400m earlier this season before heading to Happy Valley for another two attempts. He's since produced improved efforts on the all weather under local A-Grade jockey Vincent Ho and he's obviously keen to jump back on. He was slightly hindered approaching the home turn lasts start which cost him a few lengths, so expect him to reduce the margin on SPEEDIE SMARTIE this time around.
#1 ONE MAN SHOW recorded solid sectional time during a narrow defeat on the all weather track last start and shall be much improved by the experience. He also won a trial on the all weather at Conghua last December where he initially sped to the lead before going on to win by a conservative 5 lengths. The former Aussie won his maiden at Scone before heading abroad and now looks to be coming right.
#9 MONTA FRUTTA is a fully exposed athlete these days and it's clear he can run, but, he can likewise be untrustworthy as his form also suggests. He's now had three runs back from a heart irregularity which sidelined him for 6 months, with two of those efforts displaying a readiness to win. However, he must be taken with a pinch of salt.
#7 NOTTHESILLYONE has come good this season after an average opening campaign and his American pedigree aligns superbly with this surface. Luke Ferraris notched up two wins aboard at the end of last year but a slow beginning most recently put him on the back foot. The pace shall be intense here early on, which isn't preferred, but he's expected to run an honest race.
Selections : 3,12,1,9,7
R5 - 11,6,4,14,5
R6 - 9,10,1,2,5
R7 - 7,2,1,8,4
Race 8
"CENTENARY VASE"
(Gp3 - 1800m - Hcp)
#7 NUMBERS has handled most things thrown at him early by trainer Frankie Lor and you can guarantee he'll strip much fitter for the two Hong Kong starts. The former Australian galloper was a well credentialled 3yo, known as KING OF THUNDER, before joining the Frankie Lor trainers syndicate and has since made the transition to Asia's world city seamlessly. Furthermore, urging him to lead has ignited self-confidence and a winning desire so with the Hong Kong Classic Cup, and Hong Kong Derby in waiting, he'll take some running down.
#5 SPEED DRAGON ripped out high quality figures when winning a class 2 at Happy Valley in October 2025 before two competitive efforts in November/December. A freshen up over the Christmas period at Conghua was thereafter enjoyed before he thrashed home with venom, between runners, to win the Gp3 January Cup lasts start. He's a late maturer in career best form but he must transition to Sha Tin.
#3 CHANCHENG GLORY has been a tremendous contributor over the years and should position outside the leader, or leaders back, in an ideal world. With the tempo expected to favour those on speed, an opportunity to recapture some better form under the guidance of Zac Purton is on the table. He's a big bulky individual that's race hard fit, so returning to Sha Tin, in a Gp3 contest, ideally suits.
#1 STRAIGHT ARRON has been a hot and cold performer in the context of his career but when you've won $21 million HKD in prize money it's hard to be critical. He should've defeated ROMANTIC WARRIOR in the G1 Hong Kong Cup in 2023 but interference denied him of his ultimate crowning glory. As a 7yo, new trainer David Hayes has him moving fluently in the mornings whilst new Hong Kong jockey, Dylan McMonagle, a serious young talent, has his confidence up.
#4 ENCOUNTERED has been competitive in Gp3 events on more than one occasion over the years and found a new lease of life during the off season break, via a stable change. New trainer Brett Crawford has him racing at an excellent level this campaign which was highlighted last November by a win, over this course and distance, in the Gp3 Sa Sa Ladies Purse. A 4th in the Gp3 January Cup last start was another honest run so it's difficult to imagine him faraway.
Selections : 7,5,3,1,4
R9 - 3,4,2,6,8
R10 - 1,4,2,10,8
R11 - 9,13,1,2,4
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