https://www.scmp.com/rss/521162/feed Owen joined SCMP in April 2025 after an eight-year stint in the UK covering domestic and international racing for myracing, Racing Post and The Sun. He is also a passionate about other sports including football, tennis and Formula 1. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Owen Goulding Owen Goulding After a total of seven trials, including five failed ones, the enigmatic Crossborderpegasus makes his long-awaited return in Sunday’s Class Three Parkes Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin. Although his quirks are undeniable, the son of Rich Enuff has talent in spades, winning three of his four starts last season despite his riders often having to finish the race on one rein as he hung in markedly. That tendency was on full display on his reappearance this campaign, where he threw his chance away by... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349518/quirky-talented-crossborderpegasus-makes-long-awaited-return-john-size-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349518/quirky-talented-crossborderpegasus-makes-long-awaited-return-john-size-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:01:28 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding An inspired decision to step up in trip by the connections of Lucky Sweynesse paid off as the evergreen seven-year-old returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time in two years in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Monday. It has been a long time between drinks for the four-time Group One-winning sprinter, who last saluted on this card two years ago when taking home the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m). With Ka Ying Rising on the scene and his years starting to advance,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349181/bold-decision-pays-lucky-sweynesse-steps-out-shadows-group-two-glory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349181/bold-decision-pays-lucky-sweynesse-steps-out-shadows-group-two-glory?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:53:06 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Ricky Yiu Poon-fai is hoping in-form jockey Jerry Chau Chun-lok can “inject some new ideas” into Voyage Bubble as last season’s Triple Crown hero looks to bounce back in Monday’s Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) at Sha Tin. The six-time Group One winner became the first horse since River Verdon in 1994 to land the Triple Crown and showed he was better than ever this campaign with a sparkling win the Group One Hong Kong Mile in December. Subsequent runs have been slightly below his best,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349111/ricky-yiu-looking-new-ideas-jerry-chau-voyage-bubble-goes-group-two-glory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349111/ricky-yiu-looking-new-ideas-jerry-chau-voyage-bubble-goes-group-two-glory?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 02:22:43 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Zac Purton is gearing up for a big Easter weekend, with Group One rides in Australia being a brilliant prelude to partnering the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising in the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Monday. Purton and Ka Ying Rising eclipsed Silent Witness’ Hong Kong record of 17 consecutive victories by winning the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) in February and are now looking to extend that sequence to 19 when he takes on a familiar field. Now recognised as the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348776/zac-purton-gears-australian-group-ones-ahead-ka-ying-rising-easter-monday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348776/zac-purton-gears-australian-group-ones-ahead-ka-ying-rising-easter-monday?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:12:27 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Nichola Yuen Hang-yiu is looking to hit the ground running as she makes her long-awaited Hong Kong debut at Sha Tin on Wednesday with a book of five rides, including a trio for her boss Ricky Yiu Poon-fai. The 25-year-old has spent the last five years honing her craft overseas, riding 61 winners in Australia, 10 in New Zealand and a further seven in South Africa, but all of that has just been a prelude to her rides in Hong Kong. There will undoubtedly be some nerves as she has her first races... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348530/apprentice-nichola-yuen-really-excited-hong-kong-debut-she-gears-five-rides?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348530/apprentice-nichola-yuen-really-excited-hong-kong-debut-she-gears-five-rides?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:09:46 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Andrea Atzeni continued his brilliant patch of form with a double at Sha Tin on Sunday, headlined by Young Champion’s gutsy win in the Class Two CW Chu Alumni Handicap (1,200m). The John Size-trained sprinter went into the race on the back of 17 straight defeats, but he had put the writing on the wall with a trio of unlucky runs at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley. There were no hard-luck stories on this occasion, however, with the Zoustar galloper landing in the box seat from barrier one and after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348312/andrea-atzeni-and-francis-lui-enjoy-doubles-satono-reve-stamps-champions-day-ticket-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348312/andrea-atzeni-and-francis-lui-enjoy-doubles-satono-reve-stamps-champions-day-ticket-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:09:59 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Touted as the “best four-year-old in town” earlier this season, Jamie Richards is excited to unleash Bulb General at Sha Tin on Sunday as he makes his first start since an injury that kept him out of the Classic Series. The Embellish galloper built on a promising third on debut to run riot over the 1,200m trip at Sha Tin last July, sprinting clear under Zac Purton by two and a half lengths to stamp himself as a clear contender for the four-year-old series. He backed up that performance twice... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348229/early-season-best-four-year-old-town-bulb-general-makes-long-awaited-return?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348229/early-season-best-four-year-old-town-bulb-general-makes-long-awaited-return?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 04:01:36 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Pocketing and China Win may have run out of time to make the Hong Kong Derby, but trainer David Hayes is adamant both of the smart prospects will close out the season in style, starting at Sha Tin on Sunday. A five-time winner in Australia, Pocketing’s pre-import highlights include a Group Two victory at Rosehill before an eighth-place finish in the Group One Australian Derby (2,400m). He starts off his Hong Kong career in the Class Two Shaw Alumni Handicap (1,600m) following on from an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347979/david-hayes-relishing-chance-unleash-one-time-derby-hopefuls-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347979/david-hayes-relishing-chance-unleash-one-time-derby-hopefuls-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:01:28 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Frankie Lor Fu-chuen was left with a feeling of what could have been after Numbers and Stormy Grove ran monster races to finish second and third respectively in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) on Sunday. Sent off the $5.3 second favourite, Numbers set a frenetic pace under Derek Leung Ka-chun, who was hamstrung from stall 13 over a distance with a very short run to the first turn. In what turned out to be the fastest Derby ever run, Numbers kept up a relentless gallop and was only grabbed by... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347489/frankie-lor-upbeat-despite-derby-defeat-david-hayes-links-familiar-face?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347489/frankie-lor-upbeat-despite-derby-defeat-david-hayes-links-familiar-face?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 12:18:29 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding After being ‘an inch’ away from BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) glory 12 months ago, Mark Newnham is hoping to cap a memorable week in his career with victory in the city’s most coveted race with Invincible Ibis. Fresh off training his first ever five-timer after a remarkable night at Happy Valley on Wednesday, Newnham is now looking to Invincible Ibis to create another slice of history for a yard sharply on the rise. His star four-year-old came into the Classic Series as the horse to beat, winning... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347408/mark-newnham-hopes-invincible-ibis-can-take-his-one-chance-immortality-hong-kong-derby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347408/mark-newnham-hopes-invincible-ibis-can-take-his-one-chance-immortality-hong-kong-derby?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 04:30:49 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Trainers Frankie Lor Fu-chuen and Jimmy Ting Koon-ho will not be using the barrier draw as an excuse in Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) despite Numbers and Little Paradise drawing stalls 13 and 10 respectively. On paper, likely front-runner Numbers has been given a very stiff task being drawn one from the outside, but Lor was relaxed at Thursday’s ceremony as he looks for a second win in the city’s most coveted race. His four-year-old was second in the Group One Queensland Derby (2,400m)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347131/lor-and-ting-relaxed-despite-wide-draws-numbers-and-little-paradise-hong-kong-derby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347131/lor-and-ting-relaxed-despite-wide-draws-numbers-and-little-paradise-hong-kong-derby?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:30:28 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding The sky seems to be the limit for Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s Smart Golf after the progressive galloper led from pillar to post in a smart performance to collect the Class Three Kowloon City Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. It was the perfect warm-up ahead of a huge week for the Lor stable, with Numbers set to start a huge chance in Sunday’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), and this four-year-old could be another to rate highly with more time. Available at $3.5 30 minutes before the off, Smart Golf... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346668/smart-golf-excites-lor-bentley-so-size-and-teetan-double-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346668/smart-golf-excites-lor-bentley-so-size-and-teetan-double-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 11:54:07 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Hugh Bowman is looking forward to a string of strong chances at Sha Tin on Sunday, including smart debut winner Papaya Brose in section two of the Class Four Lung Kong Handicap (1,400m). The Caspar Fownes-trained three-year-old was sent off an unconsidered $21.5 chance for his debut last month, but he belied his big odds with a devastating performance under Bowman to win by one and a half lengths. Settled towards the rear, the Zousain galloper copped a check when fanning out into the clear in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346577/hugh-bowman-looks-forward-sha-tin-trio-he-bids-continue-strong-run-form?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346577/hugh-bowman-looks-forward-sha-tin-trio-he-bids-continue-strong-run-form?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 03:50:27 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Mark Newnham will look to hit back in the trainers’ championship at Sha Tin on Sunday with a strong squad of seven, including the likes of All Out For Six, Talents Ambition and Super Unicorn. The Australian handler has led much of this season’s premiership, but a recent purple patch from Caspar Fownes has seen him surge five clear of David Hayes and six clear of Newnham. The race is by no means over, however, with three months and many opportunities left for Newnham to strike back in a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346324/all-out-six-talents-ambition-and-super-unicorn-headline-mark-newnhams-sha-tin-squad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346324/all-out-six-talents-ambition-and-super-unicorn-headline-mark-newnhams-sha-tin-squad?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 06:17:11 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Fast Network made a mockery of his rivals to win the Class One Essex Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, but his participation in the Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) remains up in the air. The Dennis Yip Chor-hong-trained five-year-old was well found in the market at $2.05 and delivered a clinical performance under Zac Purton, though his backers had a few anxious moments along the way. Parked against the fence in midfield for much of the journey, Fast Network tanked into the race and as... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345893/fast-network-stamps-class-sha-tin-james-orman-and-david-hall-celebrate-doubles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345893/fast-network-stamps-class-sha-tin-james-orman-and-david-hall-celebrate-doubles?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 12:54:27 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Group targets are now firmly in the future of Tony Cruz’s Stunning Peach after he ran down his rivals to win the Class Two Devon Handicap (1,800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday as part of a brilliant three-timer for the stable. The Wottoon Bassett galloper recorded his first win since June 2024 when saluting at Sha Tin in February and was in no mood for another long wait for victory, with Angus Chung Lik-lai always looking confident on his mount. Turning out of the back straight with just one horse... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345887/stunning-peach-set-group-tests-tony-cruz-smashes-sha-tin-three-timer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345887/stunning-peach-set-group-tests-tony-cruz-smashes-sha-tin-three-timer?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 11:33:43 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding John Size is looking ahead to Sha Tin on Sunday with cautious optimism as he prepares the likes of four-timer seeking Stellar Express, Wunderbar, Super Express and Endued. By his own omission, it has been a slow campaign for the 13-time champion trainer, who currently sits sixth in the premiership on 27 winners. Although his customary midseason flourish did begin in earnest in December, seeing him shoot up the table as a result, Size is still striving for much more and Sunday sees him unleash... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345556/champion-trainer-john-size-cautiously-optimistic-he-prepares-nine-strong-squad-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345556/champion-trainer-john-size-cautiously-optimistic-he-prepares-nine-strong-squad-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:02:00 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Romantic Warrior continued his march towards Triple Crown glory after leaving his rivals standing still in a jaw-dropping performance to win the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. It was a 13th Group One success for the Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained global superstar, who produced one of his most devastating displays yet under James McDonald to win by four lengths eased down. Sitting third behind long-time pacesetter Beauty Joy and second-running Ensued, Romantic Warrior was always... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345035/romantic-warrior-moves-one-step-closer-triple-crown-after-devastating-gold-cup-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345035/romantic-warrior-moves-one-step-closer-triple-crown-after-devastating-gold-cup-win?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 11:38:47 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Patience will be the key to the chances of Beauty Bolt in Sunday’s Classic Cup (1,800m) at Sha Tin, with his trainer Tony Cruz emphasising how crucial it is for jockey James McDonald to wait until the very last minute to pounce. The Night Of Thunder galloper won his only start in Ireland pre-import for Joseph O’Brien and is yet to finish outside the top four in eight Hong Kong starts, with seven of those runs seeing him finish on the podium. A mile winner four runs ago, he posted a career-best... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344679/patience-key-beauty-bolt-tony-cruz-targets-third-classic-cup-triumph-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344679/patience-key-beauty-bolt-tony-cruz-targets-third-classic-cup-triumph-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 04:04:02 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Andrea Atzeni is focusing on quality over quantity when he rides four strong chances at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening, including Awesome Fluke in the feature Class Two Magazine Gap Handicap (1,800m). Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s galloper is a staying specialist at Happy Valley, winning a pair of 2,000m races at the venue in May and June 2024, before adding to his tally with an 1,800m success on his second start this season. He showed he was not short of speed, however, when smashing the track record... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344444/quality-over-quantity-andrea-atzeni-he-looks-forward-strong-happy-valley-rides?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344444/quality-over-quantity-andrea-atzeni-he-looks-forward-strong-happy-valley-rides?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:01:26 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Salon S extended his unbeaten record with a sensational all-the-way performance at Sha Tin on Sunday, capping trebles for trainer Frankie Lor Fu-chuen and jockey Matthew Poon Ming-fai. The Zousain galloper had gone from pillar to post in a pair of starts leading into the Class Three Rose Handicap (1,400m) and Poon set out with the same objective on Sunday, crashing out of stall eight and straight into the lead. Salon S proved a tricky steer for Poon, pulling his way into a four-length lead and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344270/salon-s-leads-charge-treble-winning-duo-frankie-lor-and-matthew-poon-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344270/salon-s-leads-charge-treble-winning-duo-frankie-lor-and-matthew-poon-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:24:10 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding David Hayes delivered a frightening warning to all of the world’s sprinters as he looked forward to “another couple of seasons” of Ka Ying Rising dominance after his spine-tingling success in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. There was an air of inevitability about the world’s best sprinter winning his 18th consecutive race – knocking Silent Witness off his perch in the process – and he delivered in perhaps his most devastating performance. Cannoned out of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344269/ka-ying-rising-creates-hong-kong-history-18th-consecutive-win-record-breaking-triumph?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344269/ka-ying-rising-creates-hong-kong-history-18th-consecutive-win-record-breaking-triumph?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:08:19 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Brett Crawford aims to continue a fine start to his Hong Kong training career when he saddles a strong squad for Sha Tin on Sunday, including Lovero in the Class Three Primula Handicap (1,600m). The 54-year-old has trained winners at three of the last four meetings, helping to propel him to 16 winners for the campaign, far surpassing pre-season expectations despite his stellar resume. Crawford has made a name for himself by transforming transfers into his stable into winning machines and Lovero... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344209/brett-crawford-set-keep-good-times-rolling-strong-sha-tin-squad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344209/brett-crawford-set-keep-good-times-rolling-strong-sha-tin-squad?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 09:10:03 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Karis Teetan raved about Romantic Warrior after enjoying his first sit on the global superstar since August 2023 when he ran second to Voyage Bubble in a tactical trial at Sha Tin on Friday morning. It was an intriguing duel between the Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained 12-time Group One winner and Voyage Bubble, with the pair both getting a blow in ahead of their clash in next week’s Group One Gold Cup (2,000m). Voyage Bubble sat on the shoulder of the returning Cap Ferrat for much of the journey,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344088/karis-teetan-gives-romantic-warrior-seal-approval-after-trial-clash-voyage-bubble?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344088/karis-teetan-gives-romantic-warrior-seal-approval-after-trial-clash-voyage-bubble?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:17:12 +0000 Jay Rooney,Owen Goulding Jay Rooney,Owen Goulding Caspar Fownes looks to have another smart prospect on his hands after Papaya Brose made a stylish debut in the third section of the Class Four Fat Choi Handicap (1,200m) to propel the trainer to the top of the championship. Fownes was not in attendance, but his son Ronan enjoyed some easy viewing at Sha Tin as the Zousain galloper travelled kindly towards the back of the pack under Hugh Bowman. The pair made rapid headway when unleashed in the straight, powering down the centre of the track to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344031/caspar-fownes-regains-trainers-championship-lead-after-papaya-brose-dazzles-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344031/caspar-fownes-regains-trainers-championship-lead-after-papaya-brose-dazzles-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:33:32 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Francis Lui Kin-wai was left drawing comparisons to the mighty Golden Sixty after Hot Delight maintained his unbeaten record in sparkling fashion at Sha Tin’s Lunar New Year meeting on Thursday. A dominant winner on debut over course and distance last month, Lui was very upbeat about the Too Darn Hot galloper on the day and it seems that glowing report was more than warranted as he dazzled again in the first section of the Class Three Yue Yee Handicap (1,200m). The in-form 67-year-old is no... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344027/hot-delight-draws-golden-sixty-comparison-francis-lui-continues-dream-start-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344027/hot-delight-draws-golden-sixty-comparison-francis-lui-continues-dream-start-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:59:00 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Chris So Wai-yin is hoping Top Dragon can get the rub of the green in Thursday’s Class Two Year Of The Horse Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin after a string of luckless runs in defeat for his smart prospect. The Pierata galloper is a three-time winner in Hong Kong, gaining his most recent victory when running riot in Class Three company over 1,400m at Sha Tin in October. Subsequently, he finished second to Little Paradise over the same trip when not enjoying the smoothest of passages in transit, before... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343630/chris-so-looks-luck-top-dragon-gets-lightweight-advantage-year-horse-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343630/chris-so-looks-luck-top-dragon-gets-lightweight-advantage-year-horse-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 10:00:30 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding David Eustace is looking for Seraph Gabriel to serve up the perfect Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) aperitif when he bids to shed his local maiden in the Class Three Red Packet Handicap (2,000m) at Sha Tin on Thursday. The Saxon Warrior galloper was a one-time winner in the UK pre-import at Lingfield and also posted a huge effort to finish second in the Class Two Golden Gates Handicap (1,993m) at Royal Ascot on his final British start. He has subsequently taken well to racing in Hong Kong, finishing an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343624/seraph-gabriel-continues-derby-trail-david-eustace-targets-sha-tin-winners?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343624/seraph-gabriel-continues-derby-trail-david-eustace-targets-sha-tin-winners?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:00:39 +0000 Owen Goulding,Jay Rooney Owen Goulding,Jay Rooney Francis Lui Kin-wai continued his remarkable 2026 with another double at Sha Tin on Saturday, spearheaded by the impressive success of Turquoise Velocity in the Class Three TVB Midlife, Sing & Shine Handicap (1,000m). The 2023-24 champion trainer topped the charts in January in tandem with David Hayes, securing 10 winners, and February has seen him continue his rampant period. Lui raced to five winners in February thanks to a pair of smart winners, with Turquoise Velocity looking a very smart... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343591/francis-lui-continues-great-2026-tony-cruz-and-andrea-atzeni-also-secure-doubles-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343591/francis-lui-continues-great-2026-tony-cruz-and-andrea-atzeni-also-secure-doubles-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 12:27:39 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Caspar Fownes drew level with Mark Newnham at the top of the trainers’ premiership on 35 winners after a brilliant day at Sha Tin on Saturday, highlighted by Sky Trust’s gutsy win in the Class Two TVB Cup (1,200m). It was a day to savour for both Fownes and Ellis Wong Chi-wang, who gave both his winners superb rides from off the pace, with Sky Trust’s feature success far from straightforward. Settled midfield throughout the journey, Wong peeled his mount into the centre of the track off the turn... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343585/caspar-fownes-feeling-sky-high-he-draws-level-mark-newnham-after-sha-tin-double?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343585/caspar-fownes-feeling-sky-high-he-draws-level-mark-newnham-after-sha-tin-double?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:00:36 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding It is an intriguing day of racing at Sha Tin on Saturday, with plenty of Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) contenders on show alongside some smart sprinters in the feature Class Two TVB Cup (1,200m). There are 10 races on the card and Owen Goulding is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Four TVB Lok Sin Tong Charity Corner Handicap (1,200m) Vigor Eye has run well in all three starts this season and should have an easier time out in front from stall five. He... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343563/who-wins-sha-tin-audacious-pursuit-can-run-them-down-caspar-fownes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343563/who-wins-sha-tin-audacious-pursuit-can-run-them-down-caspar-fownes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 04:33:05 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding John Size will unleash a bumper squad of 11 horses at Sha Tin on Saturday as he looks to continue his strong run of recent form, with Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) entrant Enthusium one of his most fascinating runners. The champion trainer has designs on running the British import – who won once at Carlisle from four starts in the UK when owned by King Charles – in next month’s Derby and his overseas form suggests that is not a fanciful idea. His victory came over 1,800m and his pedigree is all... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343308/john-size-assembles-bumper-squad-sha-tin-including-another-intriguing-derby-candidate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343308/john-size-assembles-bumper-squad-sha-tin-including-another-intriguing-derby-candidate?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:20:25 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Jerry Chau Chun-lok continued his remarkable run of form with a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night that propelled him into pole position in the Tony Cruz Award and fourth in the jockeys’ premiership standings. The 25-year-old made it eight wins from the last four meetings, propelling his strike rate in February to an astonishing 32 per cent, with his win on Flying Wrote having all the poise of a man riding with supreme confidence. The pair were unsurprisingly backed into $2.3 favourite... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343231/jerry-chau-charges-tony-cruz-award-lead-exceptional-happy-valley-treble?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343231/jerry-chau-charges-tony-cruz-award-lead-exceptional-happy-valley-treble?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:10:22 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding David Hayes was left suitably impressed as Ka Ying Rising routed his rivals in a barrier trial ahead of his date with destiny in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday week. The world’s best sprinter is aiming to surpass the legendary Silent Witness by winning his 18th race on the spin when he tackles the second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series and his trial on Tuesday morning went off without a hitch. Initially travelling second, Ka Ying Rising strode into the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343002/ka-ying-rising-wins-barrier-trial-youd-expect-david-hayes-looks-continue-hot-streak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343002/ka-ying-rising-wins-barrier-trial-youd-expect-david-hayes-looks-continue-hot-streak?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:33:42 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Mark Newnham looks to have another smart one on his hands after Lucky Ranger made it second-time lucky with a dominant success in the first section of the Class Four On Ting Handicap (1,400m). The Vanbrugh galloper ran a big race on debut from a wide draw but with the benefit of the run under his belt, he was able to defy stall 14 on this occasion under an ice-cool Luke Ferraris. Able to settle midfield with cover from the widest stall, the pair ambled into contention and when let down in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342840/lucky-ranger-smart-one-mark-newnham-title-fight-david-hayes-heats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342840/lucky-ranger-smart-one-mark-newnham-title-fight-david-hayes-heats?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 11:45:39 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Numbers led them a merry dance and showed he is the real deal with an authoritative all-the-way performance in the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Second in the Group One Queensland Derby (2,400m) on his final start before being imported, Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s galloper again enhanced his claims on the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) after being guided to a facile success by Derek Leung Ka-chun. The son of Tivaci ran riot from the front to get off the mark in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342835/numbers-counting-down-classic-cup-and-derby-after-all-way-group-three-romp-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342835/numbers-counting-down-classic-cup-and-derby-after-all-way-group-three-romp-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 10:44:07 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Douglas Whyte is hoping Violet Star can “throw himself a lifeline” into Classic Cup (1,800m) and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) contention when he takes on fellow Classic Series hopefuls at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Class Three Yau Oi Handicap (1,800m) is set to be an informative affair, with Whyte’s import taking on the likes of Dazzling Fit, Aerodynamics, Flow Water Flow, Fortune Boy and Packing Fighter, who will all have aspirations towards the final two races of the four-year-old series. The Irish... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342780/douglas-whyte-hopes-violet-star-can-enter-classic-series-reckoning-sha-tin-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342780/douglas-whyte-hopes-violet-star-can-enter-classic-series-reckoning-sha-tin-win?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 13:02:10 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Francis Lui Kin-wai is looking for back-to-back wins in the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) with Chancheng Glory at Sha Tin on Sunday, but Speed Dragon is another string to his bow in the handler’s search of a third win in the race. It has been a period to remember for Lui, who has rocketed up to sixth in the standings after training 10 winners at the last seven meetings. The run included a Group Three victory when Speed Dragon launched to January Cup (1,800m) glory at Happy Valley and he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342533/francis-lui-puts-faith-speed-dragon-and-chancheng-glory-continue-purple-patch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342533/francis-lui-puts-faith-speed-dragon-and-chancheng-glory-continue-purple-patch?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:29:49 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Romantic Son secured a dramatic third-straight DBS x Manulife Million Challenge win for trainer David Hayes after diving late to win the Class Three Sing Woo Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Hayes, who had won the last two editions of the Million Challenge with Soleil Fighter and Tomodachi Kokoroe, came into the evening with a pair of strong candidates, with Storm Rider also flying the flag for the stable. Storm Rider needed to overturn a six-point gap to series leader Regal... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342423/romantic-son-secures-dramatic-third-straight-million-challenge-david-hayes-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342423/romantic-son-secures-dramatic-third-straight-million-challenge-david-hayes-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:46:49 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Hugh Bowman partners up with a pair of DBS x Manulife Million Challenge hopefuls at Happy Valley on Wednesday night and could be set for a big evening himself with a plethora of chances. The Million Challenge, which began on September 10, has been open to horses at Class Three level and above, with the winner taking home HK$1 million in prize money. The winner of each eligible race receives 15 points, while second nets six, third gets four and fourth secures three. That means the current leader... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342242/hugh-bowman-hopes-storm-rider-can-rise-occasion-million-challenge-bid-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342242/hugh-bowman-hopes-storm-rider-can-rise-occasion-million-challenge-bid-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:17:33 +0000 Owen Goulding,Jay Rooney Owen Goulding,Jay Rooney Classy galloper Patch Of Theta returned to winning ways with a game performance to defy joint top weight of 135lb in the Class One Mirs Bay Handicap (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Last seen in a winning mood when landing the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) 13 months ago, the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained galloper made good on a gilt-edged opportunity despite the weight burden. Travelling midfield in the six-runner affair under Hugh Bowman, Patch Of Theta travelled up well and was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342007/patch-theta-bound-group-one-company-again-after-tough-class-one-triumph?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342007/patch-theta-bound-group-one-company-again-after-tough-class-one-triumph?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:59:32 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding John Size continued his classic midseason march up the trainers’ championship table with a treble at Sha Tin, headlined by Super Express’ brilliant win in the Class Three Yan Chau Tong Handicap (1,400m). By his own admission, it has been a slow campaign thus far for the reigning champion trainer, but he was always going to get his skates on as winter loomed and another three-timer has seen him jump up to fifth in the table. It has left Size just 10 winners off the current leader Mark Newnham and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342004/john-size-slams-sha-tin-treble-his-midseason-renaissance-picks-more-steam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342004/john-size-slams-sha-tin-treble-his-midseason-renaissance-picks-more-steam?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:38:12 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding David Hayes is aiming to bridge a 25-year gap when Akashavani and Public Attention line up in Sunday’s Classic Mile at Sha Tin. Fresh off watching Ka Ying Rising equalling Silent Witness’ record of 17 consecutive victories at Sha Tin last weekend, Hayes will now look for his first Classic Mile winner since Charming City’s victory in 2001. Both his runners look to have strong chances of hitting the board, but Akashvani looks set to fly the flag from a kind draw in barrier four under Luke... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341969/david-hayes-looks-bridge-25-year-classic-mile-drought-akashvani-and-public-attention?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341969/david-hayes-looks-bridge-25-year-classic-mile-drought-akashvani-and-public-attention?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 23:30:06 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Mark Newnham is four strong for Sunday’s Classic Mile at Sha Tin and hopes his squad of Invincible Ibis, Infinite Resolve, Crimson Flash and Winfield can get the job done as he goes for back-to-back wins. My Wish provided Newnham with his breakout Hong Kong victory 12 months ago and after a stellar campaign that has seen him rise through the grades, Invincible Ibis looks to be his biggest chance of repeating the dose. Beaten off a rating of 55 for his opening run of the campaign in September... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341663/mark-newnham-mob-handed-he-goes-back-back-classic-mile-wins-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341663/mark-newnham-mob-handed-he-goes-back-back-classic-mile-wins-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 07:45:15 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding An emotional David Hayes trained his 700th winner in Hong Kong after a race-to-race double in the famous Lindsay Park Racing silks at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening. The two-time Hong Kong champion trainer has endured a nightmare month away from the track, with a bushfire in Australia destroying 90 per cent of the infrastructure at his family stable and causing the loss of seven horses. China Win provided Hayes with a winner the day he returned to Hong Kong from battling those bushfires with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341592/form-david-hayes-rings-700th-hong-kong-win-emotional-happy-valley-double?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341592/form-david-hayes-rings-700th-hong-kong-win-emotional-happy-valley-double?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:39:40 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Andrea Atzeni is looking to continue the momentum of last week’s Wednesday treble when he teams up with the likes of hat-trick seeking Amazing Kid, Refusetobeenglish and I Can at Happy Valley seven days on. The Sardinian jockey surged up to 19 winners for the season after the Sha Tin dirt treble and a week later, he has another strong book ahead of him with his sights set on third in the jockeys’ premiership. “It was good to get a treble last week, I did have good rides but as we all know,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341374/andrea-atzeni-looking-keep-good-times-rolling-strong-happy-valley-book?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341374/andrea-atzeni-looking-keep-good-times-rolling-strong-happy-valley-book?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:10:44 +0000 Jay Rooney,Owen Goulding Jay Rooney,Owen Goulding It’s been a big couple of weeks for Francis Lui Kin-wai and the stable’s incredible form continued at Sha Tin on Sunday, with the veteran trainer bagging both Class Twos and unveiling a smart debutant. Lui, who celebrated his 1,000th Hong Kong win last week and 67th birthday on Thursday, backed up his Sha Tin treble seven days earlier to make it eight winners from the past four meetings. Winning Wing and Invincible Shield struck in the two strongest races on the Group One undercard, while Gold... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341171/francis-lui-bags-two-class-twos-and-unveils-smart-debutant-extend-stables-superb-form?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341171/francis-lui-bags-two-class-twos-and-unveils-smart-debutant-extend-stables-superb-form?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:00:04 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Danny Shum Chap-shing hailed his “small but strong team” as Romantic Warrior began his path towards the Triple Crown with a scintillating performance to win the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Dropping back to the mile for the first time since winning the 2024 Yasuda Kinen was no problem for the globetrotting sensation, who made a mockery of his rivals after a tactical masterclass by jockey James McDonald. Breaking from stall seven, Romantic Warrior was held out four wide... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341167/romantic-warrior-begins-triple-crown-march-scintillating-stewards-cup-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341167/romantic-warrior-begins-triple-crown-march-scintillating-stewards-cup-success?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 11:26:22 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Alexis Badel is hoping to continue his flawless record on My Wish when he looks to cause an upset against Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble in Sunday’s Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin. The Mark Newnham-trained five-year-old put up some huge efforts last year, including wins in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and a close-up fourth in the Group One Champions Mile when only a length and a half behind Voyage Bubble. It has been mixed fortunes this season, however, with the Flying Artie... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341095/badel-and-guyon-aim-cause-upsets-my-wish-and-galaxy-patch-tackle-tricky-stewards-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341095/badel-and-guyon-aim-cause-upsets-my-wish-and-galaxy-patch-tackle-tricky-stewards-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2026 06:02:19 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Ka Ying Rising’s bid to equal Silent Witness’ Hong Kong record of 17 consecutive victories is “just another race” for a composed Zac Purton, who is just focusing on getting the job done in Sunday’s Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m). The David Hayes-trained superstar, who was crowned Timeform’s Horse of the Year and the joint second-best horse in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings earlier this week, will level the record that has stood since 2005 if he manages to defeat a field of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341079/no-extra-pressure-zac-purton-ka-ying-rising-bids-history-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341079/no-extra-pressure-zac-purton-ka-ying-rising-bids-history-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2026 03:00:30 +0000