[FREE PROGRAMS] Sha Tin - January 3, 2026

Race 1 – TAI LAM HANDICAP
#2 Sterling Wongchoy arrives off back-to-back seconds over the extended mile at Happy Valley. There looks little speed on paper, so from a good mid-draw he can land handy and take luck out of it. #1 Rattan Galaxy took a big step the right way on the class drop with a close-up second which followed an improved trial. The switch to Purton is a clear push and cheekpieces go on which could add that extra spark. #14 The Concentration has to overcome the gate, but his back-to-back thirds say he is doing plenty right and the Ricky Yiu yard arrives in form. #6 Wiseman has trialled in a way that suggests he is starting to come on. From a kind draw he gets a good map set-up to lift on his second look at Class 5.

Race 2 – TSAM CHUK WAN HANDICAP
#2 Turquoise Velocity backed up a string of impressive trials with a dominant debut victory. He profiles as better than this grade in time and can go on with the job, drawn perfectly in barrier 11 for the straight course. #6 Live Wire also draws ideally in barrier 14 for his debut. He continues to take a step forward with each trial leading in, his most recent a big improvement. #1 Sight Hermoso won well second-up before chasing home Packing Glory at his following start. A freshen-up combined with a nice trial between runs has him well placed to produce another strong effort. #3 Justifying failed to live up to expectations after winning smartly on debut, but he now returns to a similar set-up and an encouraging trial ahead of his return.

Race 3 – TAI MONG TSAI HANDICAP
#1 Vulcanus switches back to his pet track and distance after a fast-finishing sixth on turf from a wide draw. Two starts back in a comparable race he was beaten half a length by Notthesillyone, and the speed map this time looks more favourable to his chances. #2 One Man Show makes just his second appearance in Class 4 and an impressive lead-in trial suggests he is ready to lift his race-day performance. Barrier 1 can see him position handy and make his own luck. #6 Notthesillyone chases a winning hat-trick, having led throughout on both occasions, but he has also shown previously that he can take a sit if pressured early. #3 Goko Win was sent out favourite last start and, while the result disappointed, the run itself was better than it appears after a muddied trip.

Race 4 – TAI MONG TSAI HANDICAP
#5 Supreme Sea debuts for the Mark Newnham stable and has shown enough at the trials to suggest he has ability, though his chances hinge on a clean jump after a tardy start in his most recent hit-out led to a stalls test. #6 Thunder Prince has been threatening a win since switching to the Jamie Richards stable, placing in three of his four runs and only missing the frame last time when blocked for a run. That effort is best forgiven and he deserves another chance. #1 Day Day Victory is thriving this season with two wins from four and his latest run was better than it reads from a wide gate on turf. His prior track-and-trip win over Glaciated reads well. #10 Glaciated broke through last start after a series of honest efforts and, while this is a slightly deeper contest and he has a wide draw to overcome, he remains in the mix.

Race 5 – BROADWOOD HANDICAP
#1 Monarch County ticks plenty of boxes sliding back into Class 4. He was last successful five runs ago, and that class relief alone brings him right into calculations, especially with barrier 1 to work with. #2 City Thunder returned from a long lay-off with a luckless fifth. He copped a mid-race check before being badly held up in the straight and, beaten just over three lengths, should have finished much closer with clear running. #3 Gallant Epoch can roll forward or sit in the first few and give a sight. He arrives off a solid second to Nyx Gluck which reads well. #8 Lucky Man brings the right form through his runner-up effort to Fit For Beauty over this track and trip two runs back. His latest fifth back to 1200m at Happy Valley is best forgiven as the drop in trip did not suit despite still being close up.

Race 6 – THE PO LEUNG KUK CUP (HANDICAP)
#4 Flow Water Flow arrives off back-to-back seconds over 1200m at Happy Valley and the switch to the bigger Sha Tin circuit, along with the rise in trip, looks timely. #2 Mr Cool pulled up with blood in the trachea last start, so that effort is forgiven entirely. He is better than that form suggests and a handy trial win since points to him being ready to atone. #11 Positive Smile has been plagued by poor draws but keeps finding the line strongly. He gets a huge map upgrade here moving into barrier 3 and that brings him firmly into calculations. #10 Invictus Dragon was on the back foot last time after bounding at the start and conceding too much early ground. He still worked home well into fifth, and the step up to 1400m should be what he’s looking for.

Race 7 – LEIGHTON HANDICAP
#9 Karma could be ready to put his best foot forward third-up. He does get back and needs luck, but he is now up to his pet distance and both runs this prep have been encouraging. Last start in particular had merit after drawing wide and settling further back than ideal, yet he still closed as well as ever. #1 Sagacious Life is building toward a Derby campaign and does not need to lift much more to get there. His recent trial was very good, with Zac Purton clearly keen to get a feel for this untapped four-year-old. #8 Top Dragon steps out for his first mile test, which should give a clearer read on his Classic Mile credentials. #3 Lo Rider has mixed his form since winning four runs ago, but on the quick back-up with a favourable map, he appeals.

Race 8 – THE BAUHINIA SPRINT TROPHY (HANDICAP)
#6 Colourful King returns off an impressive last-start win at this track and trip. Drawn on the wrong part of the track, he was still too good thanks to a clever Zac Purton ride that saw him unleash late and post his third win from nine starts. He looks a horse going places. #10 Stellar Express represents one of two John Size runners. This is a tougher assignment, but he is clearly thriving. #4 Magic Control was odds-on in this race last year when runner-up. He has not quite hit those heights since, but his form is good enough to keep him in the mix. #2 Wunderbar has the talent to win a race like this, but he can be difficult to catch right. It comes down to which version turns up, and any late market support would be worth noting.

Race 9 – TAI TONG SHAN HANDICAP
#1 Swift Ascend handled his first all-weather test well with a wide-trip third in Class 2. He carries more weight this time back in grade, but his low draw should provide a clean trip, and he looks hard to hold out. #5 Victory Sky may have found his niche on the all-weather. He was impressive winning first-up on the surface, beating subsequent winner Aurora Patch, and barrier 3 gives him the perfect map set-up. #4 Super Joy N Fun comes through the same race and did plenty right after drawing widest, settling back, and charging late into third. Again he faces a similar scenario from barrier 12. #7 Blazing Wind was closer to the speed in that contest, worked through a solid tempo, and stuck on well for fourth. A slightly kinder early shape would suit him.

Race 10 – PAK TAM CHUNG HANDICAP
#3 Loyal Bright looks ready to win third-up locally. He was well backed on debut and ran a sound fifth, then improved sharply to third second-up at this track and trip. Drawn wide again last time, he copped a check near the 500m but finished off strongly once balanced. #9 Lucky Eight profiles as a genuine chance. He maps well here and his third to Bulb General four runs back reads well. He was likely unsuited at 1000m last start yet still managed third, which sees him arriving in form. #5 Galactic Voyage made a positive debut, finishing fourth with a strong late run behind Aurora Patch, and natural improvement is expected. #6 Igor Stravinsky also comes through that race, turning a corner when leading for most of the way and sticking on for second, and similar tactics could see him play a role again.

Race 11 – TAI TONG HANDICAP
#6 Legend Winner steps out second-up locally and his debut eighth was a promising effort, beaten just over two lengths by Dazzling Fit. The rise to a mile suits given that was his winning trip pre-import and his trial between runs was a step forward. #13 Bucephalas can adopt more positive tactics back to the mile, similar to his strong 1400m win two runs back. His latest effort in Class 3 after being held up late behind Little Paradise was a game run all things considered. #1 Everyone’s Star is knocking on the door, placing in all three runs this season, and looks ready to convert that consistency into a win. #2 Pope Cody drops back to the mile after finding 1800m too testing, and this trip gives him a far better chance to show his best.