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News Index

Fri 14th May 2021

Joao Moreira upbeat about jockeys’ title after eye-catching Sky Darci, Courier Wonder trials

By Leo Schlink
Nursing a 15-win lead over Zac Purton in the 2020/21 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, Joao Moreira was given two more reasons to feel confident about landing a fourth title after excellent trial performances by Sky Darci and Courier Wonder at Sha Tin this morning (Friday, 14 May).

8.20AM

Fantastic Treasure and Chad Schofield win comfortably last start.

David Hayes harbours high hopes for unbeaten Fantastic Treasure

7.40AM

Wed 12th May 2021

Douglas Whyte’s faith vindicated as Carroll Street emerges as a quality prospect

By Leo Schlink
Douglas Whyte is confident Carroll Street can develop into a serious sprinting prospect next season after the youngster impressively laid waste to talented opposition in the Class 3 Grass Island Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin on Wednesday night (12 May).

5.01PM

Tue 11th May 2021

Winner Method shoots for four, clashes with Carroll Street in hot Sha Tin sprint

By Declan Schuster
Courier Wonder and Fantastic Treasure have set a high standard for this season’s emerging three-year-old crop in Hong Kong and tomorrow night (Wednesday, 12 May) at Sha Tin, the unbeaten Winner Method (132lb) will attempt to enhance his growing reputation by joining his talented cohorts as winners of their first four outings.

8.00AM

Sat 8th May 2021

Hongkong Great could be set for overseas campaign after record-breaking win

By Leo Schlink
Danny Shum will consider overseas targets for Hongkong Great after the lightly-raced galloper smashed Sha Tin’s 1650m dirt track record to provide Zac Purton with a timely treble on Saturday (8 May).

12.40PM

Fri 7th May 2021

John Size hopes Red Desert can prevail despite stamina doubts as trainers championship heats up

By Leo Schlink
Locked in an engrossing battle for trainers’ championship honours, John Size acknowledges statistics are stacked against Red Desert in the Class 2 Carnation Handicap (dirt, 1650m) at Sha Tin on Saturday (8 May), but hopes the gelding can uncover vital reserves of stamina to defy an established pattern.

6.00AM

Wed 5th May 2021

Jerry Chau and Douglas Whyte combine to excel at Happy Valley with trebles

By Leo Schlink
In a symbolic confluence of generations, Douglas Whyte and Jerry Chau shared the Happy Valley spotlight with milestone trebles on Wednesday night (5 May) as both master and apprentice shone with landmark success.

5.00PM

Tue 4th May 2021

Hayes looks to maintain late-season surge with seven at the Valley

By Declan Schuster
Spurred on with 10 wins since the beginning of April, David Hayes is looking to maintain his late-season surge when he heads to Happy Valley tomorrow evening (Wednesday, 5 May) with seven hopes across the nine-race fixture.

8.20AM

Sky Darci (red cap) trials under Joao Moreira.

Hong Kong Derby hero Sky Darci satisfies Moreira, Conghua for Cruz’s Exultant

7.20AM

Sun 2nd May 2021

G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup glory for Butterfield, Danny Shum and Matthew Poon

By Leo Schlink
Danny Shum’s quest for a maiden trainers’ championship is likely to feature a double-handed tilt at the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) in three weeks after the trainer led home a memorable quinella in the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) with Butterfield and Charity Fun at Sha Tin on Sunday (2 May).

12.20PM

Fri 30th Apr 2021

Charity Fun ready to roll for G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup test

By Declan Schuster
Charity Fun (113lb) has already made a remarkable start to his burgeoning Hong Kong career and this Sunday (2 May) at Sha Tin the War Command gelding will be put to the test with his toughest assignment to date when he lines up against 11 opponents in the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m).

9.00AM

Thu 29th Apr 2021

Whyte, Millard eye Queen Mother Memorial Cup glory with BMW Hong Kong Derby place-getters

By Leo Schlink
Denied by Sky Darci in an epic BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) last month, Russian Emperor and Panfield will resume a burgeoning rivalry at Sha Tin on Sunday (2 May) when the classy imports clash in the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) at Sha Tin.

7.40AM

Wed 28th Apr 2021

Zac Purton logs 100th winner of the season as David Hayes takes Happy Valley training honours

By Leo Schlink
On a night of milestones, Zac Purton registered a century of winners in a Hong Kong season for the sixth time to maintain hopes of overtaking Joao Moreira in the race for the 2020/21 jockeys’ championship with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday (28 April).

5.00PM

Tue 27th Apr 2021

Vincent Ho shares LONGINES World’s Best Jockey ranking leadership

By Leo Schlink
Vincent Ho has soared to joint leadership of the 2021 LONGINES World’s Best Jockey rankings after a career-best pair of G1 triumphs at the glittering FWD Champions Day meeting on Sunday (25 April) at Sha Tin.

7.40AM

Sun 25th Apr 2021

Vincent Ho engineers Japanese clean sweep of FWD QEII Cup in remarkable Sha Tin coup

By Leo Schlink
Yoshito Yahagi savoured redemption and Vincent Ho jubilated in the best day of his burgeoning career after the veteran Japanese trainer and the young Hong Kong jockey combined with devastating effect as Loves Only You triumphed in the HK$25 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 April).

1.41PM

Golden Sixty claims his fourth consecutive G1.

Golden Sixty extends unbeaten run to 14 with FWD Champions Mile triumph

1.40PM

Fri 23rd Apr 2021

Courier Wonder headlines strong undercard for FWD Champions Day

By Declan Schuster
A strong undercard supports a trio of Group 1 contests on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin (Sunday, 25 April), highlighted by a host of emerging talents across the programme, including the gifted Courier Wonder, who puts his unblemished record on the line in the Class 2 FWD Insurance My Legend Handicap (1200m).

9.20AM

Golden Sixty

Golden Sixty primed to excel as Vincent Ho anticipates a landmark FWD Champions Day meeting

8.00AM

Thu 22nd Apr 2021

Legendary Japanese trainer puts Danon Smash on a par with champion Lord Kanaloa

By Leo Schlink
Takayuki Yasuda has sounded an ominous warning ahead of Sunday’s (25 April) HK$18 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) by declaring Danon Smash the equal of superstar Lord Kanaloa, the best horse the revered Japanese trainer has handled in a long, distinguished career.

9.40AM

Amazing Star wins the G2 Sprint Cup under Vagner Borges.

Amazing Star aims to prove he’s no fluke in Chairman’s Sprint Prize

9.20AM

Wed 21st Apr 2021

Harry Bentley conquers Happy Valley on first ride at the city circuit

By Leo Schlink
Stationed in a high-rise hotel overlooking Happy Valley racecourse during an obligatory three-week quarantine period, Harry Bentley capitalised on unorthodox track research by making a perfect debut at the city circuit at Wednesday (21 April) night’s meeting by winning the Class 3 Pottinger Handicap (2200m) on Vincy.

5.01PM

Wellington is a three-time winner from five starts this season.

Wellington ready to press for G1 glory in Chairman’s Sprint Prize

8.40AM

Glory Vase works at Sha Tin.

Glory Vase in peak form ahead of G1 FWD QEII Cup tilt

8.20AM

Tue 20th Apr 2021

Haruki Sugiyama confident Daring Tact is poised to rebound in FWD QEII Cup

By Leo Schlink
Unfazed by the memories of successive defeats, trainer Haruki Sugiyama is adamant Daring Tact can reproduce the stunning form which elevated the mercurial Japanese filly to champion status as she prepares to tackle the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 April).

8.20AM

Karis Teetan is looking forward to partnering Glory Vase.

Teetan goes for Glory in Sunday’s FWD QEII Cup

8.00AM

Mon 19th Apr 2021

Frankie Lor eyes FWD Champions Day glory with trio of runners

By Leo Schlink
Frankie Lor hopes lightning can strike twice in the same setting as he prepares to unleash Big Party and Fat Turtle against crack Japanese speedster Danon Smash in the HK$18 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 April).

8.00AM

Loves Only You works on the dirt with Vincent Ho.

Loves Only You pleases Vincent Ho ahead of FWD QEII Cup tilt

5.40AM

Sat 17th Apr 2021

Taking Aim justifies Douglas Whyte’s faith after breaking back into winners’ list

By Leo Schlink
Winless for more than two years, Taking Aim completed a long, eventful trek from the brink of enforced retirement to Sha Tin’s winners’ stall after the Australian import trounced his rivals in the Class 3 Devon Handicap (1400m) on Saturday (17 April)

12.40PM

Fri 16th Apr 2021

Champion trainer Ricky Yiu plots winning return for Excellent Chariot

By Leo Schlink
Reigning champion trainer Ricky Yiu is optimistic a timely distance rise can trigger Excellent Chariot’s return to the winners’ list in the Class 3 Devon Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Saturday (April 17).

7.20AM

Thu 15th Apr 2021

Bentley ready to test his mettle in Hong Kong

By Declan Schuster
Harry Bentley is eager to test his mettle in Hong Kong when he kicks off his short-term contract this Saturday (17 April) at Sha Tin with six rides.

10.20AM

Wed 14th Apr 2021

Charity Fun overcomes trouble to earn a crack at Group company next month at Sha Tin

By Leo Schlink
Charity Fun has earned a tilt at the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) next month after overcoming mid-race difficulties to continue Zac Purton and Danny Shum’s burgeoning coalition with victory in the Class 2 Cedar Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (14 April).

5.21PM

Tue 13th Apr 2021

Exultant builds towards FWD QEII Cup defence, trials on the turf

By Declan Schuster
Exultant, the tough kingpin of Hong Kong’s staying division, took a crucial step closer in his bid to become the second horse in history - after Eishin Preston in 2003 - to successfully defend his crown in Sunday week’s (25 April) HK$25 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) with a smart trial effort at Sha Tin this morning (Tuesday, 13 April).

8.40AM

David Hayes

David Hayes rolls out another unraced galloper hopeful of continuing stable rebuild

7.20AM

Sun 11th Apr 2021

Potential stars in the making, Courier Wonder and Fantastic Treasure maintain unbeaten runs at Sha Tin

By Leo Schlink
Joao Moreira declared Courier Wonder the most talented young horse he has ridden in Hong Kong this season, while David Hayes was similarly effusive about Fantastic Treasure after the exciting duo maintained unbeaten records at Sha Tin on Sunday (11 April).

12.20PM

Fri 9th Apr 2021

Joao Moreira brimming with excitement over Courier Wonder’s potential

By Leo Schlink
The rapid emergence of Courier Wonder as a galloper of potentially highest ilk has left Joao Moreira with a palpable sense of anticipation ahead of the Class 3 D’Aguilar Peak Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (11 April).

8.00AM

Thu 8th Apr 2021

Karis Teetan notches Happy Valley four-timer to notch season half century

By Leo Schlink
A career-best haul in Hong Kong remains within Karis Teetan’s grasp after the Mauritian posted a Happy Valley quartet to take his 2020/21 season tally beyond 50 wins – the fourth time in as many seasons he has achieved the half century.

5.00PM

Golden Sixty will aim to win a fourth G1 in the FWD Champions Mile.

FWD Champions Day has top-class contenders from Hong Kong and Japan in three exciting races

10.00AM

Wed 7th Apr 2021

Purton pairs with veteran Saul’s Special as Chang nears 300 career Hong Kong wins

By Declan Schuster
Zac Purton will reunite with familiar ally Saul’s Special in the Class 3 Cooper Handicap (1000m) for a rare Thursday night (8 April) meeting at Happy Valley, hopeful of not only enhancing his remarkable record aboard the galloper, but with the possibility of snaring trainer Michael Chang’s 300th Hong Kong win.

8.20AM

Mon 5th Apr 2021

Amazing Star emerges as an improbable ruler in the G2 Sprint Cup

By Leo Schlink
Stunned by an Easter Monday miracle, Jimmy Ting is unlikely to tempt fate twice by aiming blowout G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) winner Amazing Star at the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on FWD Champions Day on 25 April.

12.20PM

Mighty Giant wins the G2 Chairman’s Trophy.

Giant upset for Callan and Yiu in Easter Monday’s G2 Chairman’s Trophy

11.00AM

Thu 1st Apr 2021

Back-to-back bid for Voyage Warrior in Easter Monday’s G2 Sprint Cup

By Declan Schuster
Ricky Yiu has a strong reputation when it comes to nurturing sprint talents, his four wins in the G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) are unrivalled among other exploits and on Easter Monday (5 April) he heads to Sha Tin with Voyage Warrior carrying the hopes of his team in a bid for back-to-back triumphs in the HK$4.5 million contest.

8.20AM

Wed 31st Mar 2021

Zac Purton makes inroads into Joao Moreira’s gaping jockeys’ championship lead with a four-timer

By Leo Schlink
Zac Purton’s pursuit of a fifth Hong Kong jockeys’ championship has continued with a Sha Tin quartet, capped by the success of Glorious Artist in the Class 2 Cuckoo Handicap (dirt, 1650m), as the Australia reduced Joao Moreira’s still imposing lead to 18.

5.01PM

Caption missing

Classique Legend setback, likely to return to Australia

8.00AM

Sky Field is a three-time winner this season.

Caspar Fownes confident Sky Field is a tremendous long-term project

5.20AM

Tue 30th Mar 2021

Zac Purton believes Classique Legend has the right mindset ahead of Sha Tin return

By Leo Schlink
Zac Purton is confident Classique Legend’s trial form can materialise in a successful return at Sha Tin on Monday (5 April) when The Everest (1200m) winner contests the Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m).

8.20AM

Alexis Badel has ridden 42 winners this season.

Hungry Badel eyes career century in Hong Kong, plots G2 Sprint Cup triumph with Wellington

7.40AM

Sun 28th Mar 2021

Barrier manners do the trick for Duke Wai in the Sha Tin feature

By Leo Schlink
Paul O’Sullivan’s decision to embark on a remedial course in barrier manners for Duke Wai paid rich dividends when the reformed gelding landed the Class 2 Hoi Ha Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (28 March).

12.20PM

Fri 26th Mar 2021

Joao Moreira upbeat about intriguing Hong Kong debutante

By Leo Schlink
Regarded as one of the most fascinating talents to emerge in Australian racing over the last year, Beauty Fit shapes to make a swift impact in Hong Kong when the import contests the Class 3 Sham Chung Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (28 March).

7.00AM

Wed 24th Mar 2021

Ruan Maia celebrates breakthrough success at Happy Valley

By Leo Schlink
Brazilian jockey success in Hong Kong is overwhelmingly Joao Moreira’s domain but at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (24 March), Ruan Maia posted one of the most significant – and relief-laden – victories of his career with a memorable breakthrough triumph.

4.00PM

Tue 23rd Mar 2021

Per Incanto leads the way, Oscar Glory steps up in trip for Happy Valley test

By Declan Schuster
New Zealand-bred horses dominated proceedings with six wins at Sha Tin on Sunday (21 March) and this Wednesday (24 March) night at Happy Valley trainer Frankie Lor is looking to keep the ball rolling when the improving Oscar Glory - a son of this season’s leading sire Per Incanto - contests the second section of the Class 4 Lok Fu Handicap (1650m).

8.00AM