Sha Tin

For the upcoming Feb. 26 and Mar. 1 and 4th race meetings, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, as requested by the HKSAR Government, will only allow trainers, jockeys, Club officials, stewards with race day duties and owners with starters that have already made a prior reservation in an owner box to be admitted due to the risk of contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19). No guests will be admitted, while customers are required to receive temperature screenings before entry and are advised to wear medical masks during the race meeting. Additionally, for...

by Richard Edmunds, courtesy TDNAusNZ Two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) and his long-time companion Zac Purton regained their rightful place with their eighth Group 1 victory in Sunday's Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin, his third consecutive victory in the 1400-metre event. From relatively humble beginnings as an NZ$60,000 purchase at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, Beauty Generation first rose to prominence as a quality 3-year-old who placed in the G1 Rosehill Guineas and G2...

Champion Hong Kong stayer Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) can earn a long-awaited trip overseas with a strong performance in Sunday's G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin Racecourse, with the US$6-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) on the horizon. Winner of the 2018 G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m), the horse formerly trained by Mick Halford as Irishcorrespondent landed this event, but focused on a domestic campaign that saw him close the season victoriously in the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m). Third from a...

Racing continues Saturday with a 10-race program at Sha Tin, even as the coronavirus outbreak that has its origins in Mainland China is causing some major contingency planning by officials at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Over the last few weeks, attendance at live meetings at Sha Tin in the New Territories to the north and at Happy Valley Racecourse on Hong Kong Island to the south has been restricted to those with pre-existing reservations, with public areas closed. The Chinese New Year racecard at Sha Tin, which normally attracts...

by Alan Carasso Dispatched the $1.80 (5-4 on) favourite to run his lifetime record to eight wins from nine runs, Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) took off once in the clear in upper stretch and whooshed home to best his Francis Lui stablemate More Than This (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths. The early sections of the Classic Mile were run at a muddling pace, and that caused the likes of Star Performance (NZ) (Per Incanto) and the well-backed Beauty Legacy (Aus) (Fiorente {Ire}) to overrace...

by Alan Carasso A trio of 100-plus rated 4-year-old heads to the post for Monday's first leg of the Classic series in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Classic Mile. Two of those have already achieved the rare feat of defeating more seasoned gallopers at group level, including the very progressive Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro). One of a pair of entrants from the on-fire Francis Lui yard, the gelded son of Gaudeamus (Distorted Humor) has won eight from nine, including a commanding two-length tally in the G3 Chinese Club Challenge...

In an unprecedented move owing to the outbreak of coronavirus in mainland China, officials at the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced Friday that it would go ahead with Monday's Chinese New Year card at Sha Tin, but that attendance would be restricted to in an effort to "strengthen hygiene protection," according to a release from the Club. Apart from essential parties, i.e. trainers, owners, jockeys, HKJC officials, only those who have booked a prior reservation at racecourse restaurants will be admitted to the track. All customers will receive temperature screenings...

by Alan Carasso Hammered into $1.50 (2-1 on) favouritism to assume the mantle of Hong Kong's top miler, Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) was given a ride full of finesse from jockey Joao Moreira and raced over the top of two-time defending Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) in the dying strides for a maiden Group 1 success in Sunday's Stewards' Cup at Sha Tin. But while there very well may be a new sheriff in town, the deposed king of the hill showed that...

Rare is the import that can win first-up in Hong Kong in competitive Class 2 company. But if there is a conditioner on the grounds at Sha Tin capable of extracting a top effort despite that obvious obstacle, it is John Size, who sent out Glorious Days (Aus) (Hussonet) to win the 2013 G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile off a six-month absence, while 2015 Hong Kong Derby hero Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) nearly won the G1 Stewards' Cup the following January after being away from the races for nearly three-quarters...

Enjoying the benefit of a feathery 116 pounds while making his black-type debut in Wednesday's G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup H. at Sha Tin, Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) easily and impressively validated odds-on favouritism against older rivals in this steppingstone to the Hong Kong Classic Mile versus fellow 4-year-olds Jan. 27. The mount of leading homegrown rider Vincent Ho, Golden Sixty took up a spot in the latter third of the field as Ka Ying Star (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) galloped them along up front as is his wont. Quietly...