SHA TIN 🇭🇰

R1️⃣ – FAIRY KING PRAWN HANDICAP

Rainbow Seven is 0-7 and a little unlucky last time from gate 13. Unfortunately, he draws the same barrier and this looks a strong race to make his breakthrough. Flying Boom and Jubilation For All both improved for their debuts, with the latter preferred. Thousand Spirit is lightly raced and a win looks close at hand. Zac Purton rides Rising Phoenix, stepping up in trip and well drawn. Purton arguably had the opportunity to ride Decision Link and AMAZING FUN (Each Way), the latter being one of my two selections. Trained by Dennis Yip, he is awkwardly drawn but hopefully that can be overcome. He sometimes compromises his chance with a slow start but finished strongly last time and, for a 6 year old, remains relatively unexposed. Top vote goes to KA YING GLORY. I expect him to build on his seasonal reappearance when finishing midfield to Pejibaye. Gate 10 is tricky but he comes off two winning barrier trials and showed ability last season.

R2️⃣ – SNOW FAIRY HANDICAP

Formerly trained in Ireland, CIRCUIT GRAND SLAM belied expectations to win on his local debut last month. Returned at huge odds, there’s the temptation to downgrade the performance but he has subsequently impressed in a barrier trial and may well remain unbeaten. I’m including LET’S HAVE FUN (Each Way), who makes his debut for David Hayes. Barrier trials have been promising and Keith Yeung, who rode him to victory in one at Conghua, takes the reins.

R3️⃣ – SILENT WITNESS HANDICAP

Packing Phoenix justified favouritism on debut but disappointed on his next start when only fifth to Pejibaye. Two fair barrier trials followed and its easy to imagine a better performance this time with Purton keeping the faith. However, I will oppose with MAJESTIC VALOUR, an impressive winner on debut for Pierre Ng. Up 8Ib, the son of Toronado looks progressive but this is no two horse race. Mabubu bids to remain unbeaten while Jubilant Star, who did everything but win on debut, has an each way chance. At larger odds I’ll include WINNING DIAMOND (Each Way) for Dennis Yip. Despite a wide barrier I really like this horse and he had no luck last time. I was also taken with his recent barrier trial and has to be considered.

R4️⃣ – THE LONGINES HONG KONG VASE

SOSIE was destined for retirement following a third placing in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, in October, but André Fabre confirmed a tilt at the Vase shortly after the race. 2025 has been another lucrative year for the Shamardal colt with G1 success in the Prix Ganay and Prix d’Ispahan and Fabre won this race in 2023 with Junko. The ground will likely be faster than he has been accustomed to but Fabre evidently has no concerns on that front and France can land the spoils in the first G1 of the day.

R5️⃣ – THE LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT

KA YING RISING breaks from the inside barrier for the first time in his career, but it’s hard to see that as any sort of drawback – and even if he misses the break, one can imagine him making up ground rapidly under Purton. A facile success in last month’s BOCHK Jockey Club Sprint confirmed his wellbeing following the Everest at Randwick, and barring some unforeseen circumstance, looks impossible to oppose.

R6️⃣ – JIM AND TONIC HANDICAP

A tough race to break your maiden but SUPREME MASTERMIND is taken to do just that. Trained by David Hayes, the selection improves for each run and returns to deeper waters following an excellent runner-up spot to Double Win, last month. Hollie Doyle takes the reins for the first time.

R7️⃣ – THE LONGINES HONG KONG MILE

An open renewal can go to Japan, courtesy of EMBROIDERY, a daughter of Admire Mars and trained by Kazutomo Mori. As a filly, she receives 5lb from her rivals and with 8 career starts, arguably the least exposed in the line-up. She’s a 5 time winner and comes here fresh off a Grade 1 success in the Shuka Sho. That was run over 2000M but her jockey on Sunday, Christophe Lemaire, believes the mile is her optimum distance. Gate 10 is wider than ideal but its not a deal-breaker and Lemaire is a world-class pilot. Embroidery brings a different form line to the party, you look at the BOCHK Jockey Club Mile last month and the first six lock horns again. Galaxy Patch won that race and is nicely drawn here and connections tinker with different headgear. My Wish was a beaten favourite but already has the Celebration Cup and Sha Tin Trophy on his CV this campaign. Voyage Bubble drops in trip after chasing home Romantic Warrior in the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup.

R8️⃣ – THE LONGINES HONG KONG CUP

ROMANTIC WARRIOR bids for a fourth Longines Hong Kong Cup in a small field, which can sometimes throw up surprises, but he’s hard to oppose. Bellagio Opera, looks the chief threat ahead of Quisisana, representing France.

R9️⃣ – OUIJA BOARD HANDICAP

With the international races done and dusted we finish with two competitive handicaps over 1400M. The vote goes to STAR RISE for David Hall. His local debut behind Little Paradise was very good and he followed up with a staying on 4th to Patch Of Stars. Unlucky latest under JMac, who gets another chance on Sunday.

R🔟 – HIGHLAND REEL HANDICAP

PUBLIC ATTENTION made an instant impression on his local debut and can go one better in the finale under Craig Williams.