Join us for an international racing spotlight as we head to Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong for a blockbuster day of world-class action! Tom and I break down the biggest races of the weekend from Asia, packed with elite runners, global contenders, and lightning-fast sprints.
We’ll preview and analyze the following high-profile events:
🏇 Race 3 – FWD Insurance ICBC (Asia) Handicap
🏇 Race 4 – FWD Insurance BOCOM Handicap
🏆 Race 5 – The Chairman’s Sprint Prize
🏆 Race 7 – The FWD Champions Mile
🏆 Race 8 – The FWD QEII Cup
These are some of the most prestigious races in the Hong Kong racing calendar, featuring speed, stamina, and strategy on full display. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to international racing, we’ll guide you through each event with expert insights.
Sha Tin Horse Racing Picks
22 to 1 Tom’s Sha Tin Tips and Comments
Race 3
27/04 (SUN), 13:45, Class 4, 1400m, TURF, FWD INSURANCE ICBC (ASIA) HANDICAP, “A” Course
1 – Super Express
It’s tough to argue about the results of his first start. He ran on or near the lead, was blocked, and still found a way to win (Ryan Moore helped). His post position is outside this time, but all he has to do is run his race. Adds weight after the win.
5 – Monarch County
He’s run two good races in the two starts after doing nothing in his three other starts. He won last time, coming from tenth to win going away. He ran third before, and again came from far back. He has a slow-to-good pace in both races, so he has a chance to do well in this race.
11 – Win Speed
He didn’t do much in his last race and ran midpack to finish seventh. The race before was a better effort, except it had a bit of trouble and was too wide on the turn. He draws the six-post position. Watch the odds because I think he’s going to get bet.
Considered:
4 – Forerunner
10 – Roman Crown
Race 4
27/04 (SUN), 14:15, Class 2, 1400m, TURF, FWD INSURANCE BOCOM HANDICAP, “A” Course
6 – Invincible Shield
His first start in Hong Kong was awful. He was behind a slow pace and ran eleventh. The last two starts have been wins at 1200m, and the comment was “a very strong to score.” His lifetime record is ten starts, six wins, and nothing in the other four races.
1 – Taj Dragon
He ran two wide in the last race and was always trying at the end to run third. He hasn’t done much in his previous races, so he shows signs of life and should improve from the last race.
2 – Divano
He won his last start and surged well at the end. In the race before, he finished third and was caught late. Zac switches from Taj Dragon to ride this guy. It means something.
Race 5
27/04 (SUN), 14:50, Group One, 1200m, TURF, THE CHAIRMAN’S SPRINT PRIZE, “A” Course
3 – Lucky Sweynesse
He was the champion sprinter in Hong Kong until he got hurt, and now returns after over one year away. He has won first up at the top level before. The big question is, is he ready? The trainer thinks he is being entered at this level for the return, and he could give the favorite a tough race.
1 – Ka Ying Rising
He won his last eleven starts. He set the track record at Sha Tin and broke his own track record in the next race. Is he the best turf sprinter in the world? It’s hard right now to argue against that—big favorite.
2 – Satono Reve
He lost to Ka Ying Rising two starts back, running third, and then won his last start at Tokyo in a group one over some of the best Japanese sprinters. Now, he returns to Hong Kong to try again. There is no reason to see him not run well again.
Race 7
27/04 (SUN), 16:00, Group One, 1600m, TURF, THE FWD CHAMPIONS MILE, “A” Course
2 – Voyage Bubble
He won his last four starts, three of which were Group One races in Hong Kong. He defeated Soul Rush, who beat Romantic Warrior in the Dubai Turf. When they ship him out of Hong Kong, he fails to fire. He’s won 50% of his 1600m starts and ran in the money in four other races. This is a good group of horses; some have beaten each other, but he’s in the best form now.
12 – My Wish
He has been improving with age. He had mixed results when running at the class 3 and 4 levels. In his last three races, the 4yo classic races, he won the 1600m race and finished second in the other two races. The later start was very impressive. He started from the fourteenth post position, sat at the back of the field, and then closed strongly to miss the win by a head. Even more impressive is that he has been more of a frontrunner, a versatile horse. Good odds.
6 – Galaxy Patch
He missed by a neck last group two race, losing to Straight Arron. I had a disappointing run in the 2000m Gold Cup, not even in that race. He’s much better as a miler and has run in the money against these horses. This is another horse I am going off the last race form.
Race 8
27/04 (SUN), 16:40, Group One, 2000m, TURF, THE FWD QEII CUP, “A” Course
3 – Tastiera
He has improved in his last two races. Two races back, he ran second to Do Deuce, who won the Japan Cup. His odds that day were 54-1. They shipped him to Hong Kong to run in the Hong Kong Cup. He was caught wide and made the lead, but then he was caught by Romantic Warrior and ran third after running forward and placed in the entire race. Four of his five runs at this distance have been top-notch, and coming off the rest, he will be tough to beat.
9 – Cap Ferrat
I liked My Wish in the 1600m race, and this horse beat him last time in the Hong Kong Derby, coming from midpack to win by a head. He went off at 26-1. He didn’t run so well in the first two four-year classics but was gangbusters last time out. I know this horse wants distance as he has three runs at 2000m and won, placed, and ran third in those races. Also, keep in mind that the last race was his maiden win.
11 – Liberty Island
Last time, she didn’t have a great trip in the Dubai Turf and was very wide the entire race. She ran a good race in Hong Kong before losing to Romantic Warrior by a length and a half in the Hong Kong Cup. Remember, she ran second in Equinox in the Japan Cup in 2023. I am going off her form in that race, but she did draw the outside post position, so I hope she gets a better trip today.
Rich’s Sha Tin Ranks and Analysis
Race 3 – FWD INSURANCE ICBC (ASIA) HANDICAP
1 – SUPER EXPRESS – 2nd race improvement should be enough – blocked, dashed
9 – PATCH ORF STARS – not a clean trip in 5 races – Zac Purton
7 – BLAZING BEAM – getting extra distance and plenty of upside in only 4th races
10 – ROMAN CROWN – longshot but final times say he fits here
Race 4 – FWD INSURANCE BOCOM HANDICAP
7 – MID WINTER WIND – should be rallying – resume says could pop after some rest
1 – TAJ DRAGON – solid at the distance 15/6-3-1 – probable FAV
10 – MARKWIN – usually comes from way behind – will need some pace upfront
4 – YOUNG CHAMPION – is another that will have his best late – needs to avoid trouble
Race 5 – THE CHAIRMAN’S SPRINT PRIZE
1 – KA YING RISING – comment – “World’s highest-rated sprinter on an 11-race unbeaten streak” – what do you add to that?
6 – HELIOS EXPRESS – beat everybody but KA YAING in last 4 races
3 – LUCKY SWEYNESSE – first up record gives him a chance 2/1-1-0
10 – BEAUTY WAVES – Tom Horse – sings of life in last – never worse than 6th in 15 races
Race 7 – THE FWD CHAMPIONS MILE
11 – GOEMON – undefeated in 4 at a mile
1 – MR BRIGHTSIDE – 1st or 2nd in 8 of last 9 races – jockey travels from Australia
2 – VOYAGE BUBBLE – won 6 of 11 Sha Tin mile runs on grass – winner 4 in a row
6 – GALAXY PATCH – Z Purton rides – just missed last out in first go around together
Race 8 – THE FWD QEII CUP
11 – LIBERTY ISLAND –not a bad 2nd place finish vs ROMANTIC WARRIOR – 3rd vs REBEL’S ROMANCE and EQUINOX – so the talent is there
5 – EL VENCEDOR – winner 4 in a row in New Zealand – tell that Purton rides?
3 – TASTIERA – held the lead late vs ROMANTIC WARRIOR in last -would have preferred a cut back in distance – but still finished 3rd – needs the right fractions
1 – GOLIATH – G1 winner at Ascot – which was on good – but no doubt prefers some softness
