HK Classic Mile field takes shape at Sha Tin

The picture of who lines up in the first leg of the 2025/26 Four-Year-Old Classic Series should come into sharper focus after the Sha Tin meeting on Sunday.

Up to a dozen talented four-year-olds, who could earn their place in the starter list for the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 1 February, are in action on a potentially decisive weekend.

All eyes will be on the Class 3 (Restricted) Pak Shek Au Handicap (1600m), which shapes as a Hong Kong Classic Mile trial for several runners and a final tune-up for others.

Top-weight in the high-quality four-year-old-only field is Mark Newnham’s in-form gelding Invincible Ibis, who has won three in a row and has placed in all six career starts to date.

Champion jockey Zac Purton has been aboard for each of those wins but has opted to ride Tony Cruz’s equally impressive Beauty Bolt in the contest. Hugh Bowman will deputise on Invincible Ibis, but Purton was gushing about the development of Beauty Bolt, who has already won over a mile this season.

“He’s a lovely horse. He’s got a really good attitude. He just does everything right,” Purton said. “He’s got good speed if you want to use it. He puts himself in a nice spot and has been very consistent.”

Currently rated 82, the Night Of Thunder gelding appears certain of his place in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, and Purton, whose services are in high demand for the Classic Series opener, might favour Cruz’s charge should he win impressively on Sunday.

“He’s trialled well. He’s going good. He’s a bit of a no-nonsense horse; he just gets out there and does the same thing. He seems like he’s in good form, so I expect him to run well again,” Purton added.

Another potential Hong Kong Classic Mile option for this season’s leading rider is Jimmy Ting-trained Little Paradise, who will be going for back-to-back wins in Sunday’s trophy race, the Class 2 Racing Club Cup Handicap (1400m).

Purton has ridden the son of Toronado to two victories already this term and said he is progressing well.

“He’s another one that has done everything right. He just continues to front up every time,” Purton said. “He’s trialled well and just continues to get that little bit better all the time.”

Purton was non-commital about his Hong Kong Classic Mile mount, but said he will have a better idea of which horse he will partner after Sunday’s racing.

“There’s a little bit to think about, so we’ll get through the weekend, and I’m sure it will work itself out,” he said.

Meanwhile, Voyage Bubble began preparation for a defence of his Triple Crown with a first trial outing since his stirring victory in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) in December.

The seven-year-old eased back into action on Friday morning (9 January) in a 1200m barrier trial on the Sha Tin dirt, passed the post sixth and completed in a leisurely 1m 09.59s under Purton.

A Triple Crown clash with 11-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior looks set to be one of the stories of this season after owner Peter Lau decided to campaign his champion eight =-year-old domestically this year.

The Triple Crown gets under way with the running of the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on 25 January. - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Snowthorn has gone close in Class 4, and with the drop to Class 5, he looks ready to break through with Purton aboard, despite the wide draw. Inno Century found the line well late on his Class 5 debut last start and must be respected from a decent draw. Team Happy possesses versatility in running and can bounce back at any time in this class. My Flying Angel a proven performer at this level, he should map well from a low gate and make his presence felt. King Alloy has dropped in the rating and could be hard to catch if allowed a soft lead.

Race 2: Lucky Ranger Mark Newnham’s new acquisition, he has looked talented in trials and a big debut run would not surprise. Majestic Valour flopped last start after an impressive debut win. However, he remains a chance in this below-par Class 4 field. Holmes A Court has previously been outclassed in higher grades, but could prove a value pick with the drop in class, especially from a low draw. Honorary his debut run was better than it reads, and with natural improvement, he could place at odds. Sea Diamond is well prepared with several trials, showing steady improvement, for his debut.

Race 3: Ever Luck has shown nice potential in both starts and his recent trial suggests he’s primed to continue the strong run. Lucky Mcqueen his last two starts have been encouraging and he should play a key role with a good draw. Ka Ying Warrior the inside draw suits his positive racing style and he could be hard to catch under the right race shape. Elite Golf produced a fair effort on debut and with natural improvement, he should be in the mix. Groovy Feeling has ability and could run a cheeky race despite moderate recent form.

Race 4: Incredible Moment appears well placed in a field lacking natural speed, making a strong on-pace showing look imminent. Endeared boasts a reliable record in Class 4 and must be considered a strong contender, despite the wide draw. The Heir caught the eye flashing home late last start and must be included among the better chances. Lucky Man had excuses last start (raced wide) and could improve into the money with a smoother trip. Super Love recorded the fastest final 400m last time out and should not be overlooked.

Race 5: Robot Star badly held up for most of the straight last start, and with Purton taking the reins, he looks poised to make amends. Star Satyr flashed home late into second on his return to Class 4 last time out, but the wide draw poses a challenge. Brownneedsfurther a two-time placegetter from five starts, he gets another chance to break through from a good draw. Strathpeffer is always a threat in this class and should run well fresh first-up. Crossborderdude showed significant improvement last start, though the form of that Restricted Class 4 race remains a concern.

Race 6: Packing Hurricane narrowly beaten last start, and from pole position, he’s poised to enjoy a smoother trip and make amends. Luck Is Back has mixed his form of late and is worth considering if his odds offer value. China Win finished a slashing second last start but the widest draw could make things tricky on the C+3 course. Our Lucky Glory let down well to finish third in a race with franked form last time out, and looks ideally weighted to make an impact. Audacious Pursuit attacked the line strongly late despite being held up at a crucial stage last start, and deserves another chance.

Race 7: Szeryng ran on well late to miss by a neck in slowly run race last start, and with Purton staying aboard, he’s primed to go one better from a low draw. Aurora Patch has been in career-best form recently and looks the second best here. Prestige Always encountered traffic for the final 300m last start and could show improvement with a clearer passage. Celestial Hero has not been beaten far in his first two runs this preparation and is expected to improve third-up. Matters Most could hang in there all day if allowed an uncontested lead.

Race 8: Little Paradise a progressive 4YO, he comes off a strong win in Class 3 and looks poised to continue the strong run despite stepping up to Class 2. Invincible Shield finished a meritorious third last start despite being held up at a crucial stage. Public Attention has been placed at both local starts and gets in well at the weights. Sky Trust will relish the drop to Class 2 where he scored an easy win two starts ago, despite the wide draw. Dancing Code led most of the journey last start and should run well again if he can cross early from a wide draw.

Race 9: Packing Fighter an impressive debut winner at Gowran in June, he has trialled well for his Hong Kong debut and is expected to deliver a strong performance. Fortune Boy beaten by a smart type in a quality race last time out and the form has since held up well. The Auspicious has been competitive since rising to Class 3 three starts ago and remains a strong chance. Mister Dapper a strong on-pace runner, he could go one better if things fall his way, following a close second last start. Stunning Peach had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire.

Race 10: Invincible Ibis one of the elite 4YOs this season, he is well placed to secure a fourth straight win from a favourable draw. Fit For Beauty has shown rapid improvement recently and must be respected despite rising to Class 3. Beauty Bolt his recent efforts have been encouraging, but the widest draw and the hefty weight pose a challenge. Legend Winner has drawn well to make amends after finishing a solid third last week. The Red Hare scored a narrow yet tenacious win last start and remains well weighted.

Race 11: Tin Fook with a more favourable jockey booking, he looks well placed to break through locally from a good draw. Circuit Grand Slam blessed with a good turn of foot, he will make a strong late surge under the right race shape. Helene Supafeeling comes off an impressive local debut win in this class and a double looks within reach, despite the weight rise. Stormy Grove has not been beaten far in recent starts and could place at odds. Master Of All raced wide last start and could show improvement under more favourable conditions, given his strong previous form. - iRACE Magazine