Hong Kong Racing
Sha Tin Preview - 22nd February 2026
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Sha Tin races.
Rail - A+3 COURSE
Race 1
#1 MASTER LUCKY put together a solid overall performance to win on debit and there'll be more winning to come off the back of that effort. He left the gates well, raced handy to the speed and found under pressure when attacked latter stages. With natural improvement to follow, after the confidence of a win, and the same race profile to enjoy, he should handle the rise in weight.
#5 ALMIGHTY LIGHTNING began track work in September and has since participated in three barrier trials, two at Conghua on turf, and one on the all weather at Sha Tin. His win over the 1000m at Conghua however is the area of focus, because on that occasion he recorded the quickest time of the morning whilst thrashing recent debut winner BABY SAKURA. He was sourced by trainer Manfred Man as a yearling for $50K AUD, which shall end up money for jam.
#8 JUMBO BLESSING won't be advantaged by the low draw which was exactly the case on debut. Nevertheless, he ran a brave race in defeat after dashing to the lead passing the 400m before slightly tiring through the last 50m to finish fourth. He bumps into a couple of progressive types in this which appear to better placed,but he himself is a good type with a positive future.
#4 SPICY SPEEDY bumped into the talented TURQUOIS VELOCITY on debut which in time shall end up formidable class 4 form. Trainer Chris So, then allowed him time to recover before a second race start but he shifted ground at the jump and consequently settle well back. His track work since has been an easy watch so it's anticipated he'll run well.
#13 CONSPIRATOR was much improved when finishing 3rd at over 100/1 three runs back and he then backed it up with something similar. The improvement can be attributed to a patient ride in a straight line, but as can happen with that style, he then found bother at a crucial stage lasts start.
Selections : 1,5,8,4,13
R2 - 5,6,2,3,11
R3 - 6,2,11,13,8,1
Race 4
#2 COLOURFUL KING is still to be fully exposed from a handicap perspective although we did experienced a decent taste of his capabilities when he won in November. The low draw is off-putting, likewise the rise in weight, but the ease in which he won for Zac Purton that day was exciting. His racing style of settling back amongst traffic does expose him to congestive concerns, but with a smaller field to navigate, he's a geuine chance of turning things around on STELLAR EXPRESS.
#3 STELLAR EXPRESS has always displayed a liking for straight track racing which even dates back to his first career start/win in France. Since then, ten top 4 finishes from fouteen starts highlights his consistency at this course and trip which was impressively topped off by a comprehensive victory last start. The rapid jump from class 3, to Gp3, was a big feather in his cap and despite the swing at the weight, in favour of COLOURFUL KING, he remains the horse to run down.
#4 MAGIC CONTROL missed the start and wasn't suited to the 1200m first up before showing his best to finish 3rd, at Gp3 level, when reverting back to 1000m second up. He was labelled a straight course specialist last season after winning three races in good fashion however results this campaign have been up and down. He's drawn favourably in gate 7 and difficult to leave out on best figures.
#1 INVINCIBLE SAGE hasn't won since his career defining victory in the 2024 Gp1 Chairmans Sprint Prize which was acquired on a rain affected track. Since then, he's dropped along way in the ratings and is now reaching peak fitness this campaign. Furthermore, he meets most of these better at the weights than in recent outings so if your going wide, he can be entertained.
#5 DROMBERG BANNER certainly could've drawn better for his debut down the Sha Tin straight but after chasing home PATCH OF THETA in a class 1 last start he may appreciate a new challenge. There'll be attackers in his face throughout the 1000m dash but when push comes to shove he wont be out done by fitness.
Selections : 2,3,4,1,5
R5 - 1,11,4,13,7
R6 - 11,1,4,14,3
R7 - 1,6,3,8,2
Race 8
"QUEEN'S SILVER JUBILEE CUP"
(Gp1 - 1400m - Set Weights)
#1 KA YING RISING ended season 2024/2025 with a twelfth consecutive victory by claiming the Gp1 Chairman's Sprint Prize and Hong Kong "Horse of the Year" title. It was then a memorable performance in THE EVEREST, at Royal Randwick, to first navigate travel/quarantine procedures before wowing a world wide audience with a truly awesome display. Now comfortably back on home soil, and the record of the almighty SILENT WINTNESS equalled, a rare 1400m challenge and unprecedented 18th consecutive win awaits. Everything appears as normal leading into this history making day, so with fingers tightly crossed, it's on with the show.
#3 HELIOS EXPRESS is rated the third best sprinter in Hong Kong behind the all conquering KA YING RISING and four time Gp1 winner LUCKY SWEYNESSE. He's had multiple cracks at KA YING RISING in the past and is yet to measure up to the champ's dominance so it would be ignorant to suggest that'll change. Nevertheless, with his form poised to peak he should be able to beat home the rest now he's stepping up to the preferred 1400m, although, three of his past four runs have been marginally below par.
#2 LUCKY SWEYNESSE was the undisputed king of Hong Kong's sprinting ranks a few years back. He then returned first up this season with a hard-core chase of KA YING RISING in the Chief Executives Cup which followed on from a long injury forced layoff. Ultra competitive efforts in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint, and G1 Hong Kong Sprint further confirmed his well-being before an admirable defeat in the Gp1 Stewards Cup behind ROMANTIC WARRIOR last start. If a good warm up on the way to the barriers transpires, he can run a massive race.
#9 RAGING BLIZZARD was thoroughly deserved of his opportunity to compete at International level for the first time in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint where he soaked up the harsh mid-race tempo before closing wonderfully well to grab 2nd. Another career best performance is predicted today, although it probably be enough, but he continues climbing the ratings mountain, with the 1400m finally being tried.
#5 GALAXY PATCH was undefeated first up going into the Gp2 Sha Tin trophy but an average start and traffic congestion, particularly in the home straight, brought that sequence to an end. James McDonald was then upbeat about his prospects leading into the G1 Hong Kong Mile, after winning the Gp2 Jockey Club Mile, but an average beginning made the process to greater task. The combination of a drop in distance here , with blinkers going on, can provide enthusiasm and lift.
Selections : 1,3,2,9,5
R9 - 10,4,2,7,8
R10 - 5,3,8,1,4
R11 - 9,7,12,5,3
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