9/28: HKJC - Sha Tin

[Kasept]

Please find Luke Middlebrook's tips from Idol Horse below for Sha Tin on Sunday, 14 September 2025.

Sha Tin Selections (Sunday, September 21, 2025)

Race 1: #8 Mr Aladdin, #2 Golden Fairy, #1 Storm Runner, #6 Smashing Express
Race 2: #2 Motor, #1 Field Marshal, #4 Just Follow Me, #5 Winning Champion
Race 3: #4 Peridot, #10 Noble Fans, #5 Proud Box, #1 Aerovolanic
Race 4: #3 Allcash, #4 Fashion Legend, #13 Sight Supreme, #11 Leslie
Race 5: #3 Beauty Viva, #7 Pearl Of Pang’s, #11 Special Hedge, #10 Star Brose
Race 6: #6 Victory Sky, #7 The Red Hare, #10 Thousand Spirit, #3 Stanley Express
Race 7: #7 The Heir, #1 Mr Cool, #4 Beauty Glory, #10 Diriya
Race 8: #7 Chill Kaka, #4 Mojave Desert, #2 Dragon Air Force, #9 New Forest
Race 9: #2 Gorgeous Win, #11 Brilliant Express, #3 Dancing Code, #1 Young Champion
Race 10: #1 Storm Rider, #8 Magnificent Nine, #6 Lo Pan Spirit, #3 Lucky My Way


Race 1 – KOWLOON TSAI HANDICAP
#8 Mr Aladdin gets his chance to finally break through at start 26 after a close-up third first-up over the mile, where he was forced well back from a wide draw. He rises to a suitable trip, and his narrow second here two runs ago adds to his claims. #2 Golden Fairy maps to lead from barrier 1 and, while better suited over further, still maps to give a bold sight second-up. #1 Storm Runner drops back into Class 5 after three straight placings and reunites with Purton. He ticks plenty of boxes. #6 Smashing Express has been running on encouragingly since the class drop and will be one to watch late if the tempo allows.

Race 2 – SAM SHING HANDICAP
#2 Motor draws perfectly in barrier 2 and resumes in blinkers, which he trialled well in. In this Restricted Class 4 for three-year-olds, his Griffin form from last season holds up strongly and gives him every chance to break through. #1 Field Marshal has been gelded over the break and gets a key jockey booking with Zac Purton aboard. He maps to lead on paper and will be hard to reel in. #4 Just Follow Me looks a strong hope to get Brett Crawford off the mark. His recent trial was eye-catching, though barrier 11 makes things tricky tactically. #5 Winning Champion was consistent despite wide gates last term. He resumes from a better draw and is in the mix off a solid trial.

Race 3 – YI O HANDICAP
#4 Peridot outran his starting price with an eye-catching debut third and resumes from barrier 1 off two solid trials. Zac Purton takes the ride, which only boosts his prospects. #10 Noble Fans returned with a strong third to Groovy Feeling and is nearing a win. Race fitness gives him an edge in this field and he looks primed to go close. #5 Proud Box has shown promise in trials leading into his debut, and while barrier 10 makes things tricky, he appears to have ability and should measure up. #1 Aerovolanic scored well on debut before being eased out second-up. His trials since have been fair, but barrier 3 should see him map a chance.

Race 4 – TING KAU HANDICAP
#3 Allcash looks ready to win. While still unplaced after 13 Hong Kong starts, he resumes off a much-reduced rating, has shown clear improvement in a recent trial, and gets Zac Purton aboard. This is his chance. #4 Fashion Legend has a tricky gate to overcome in barrier 11, but there’s enough speed on paper to suit his pattern. He enjoys this course and distance and trialled ideally in preparation. #13 Sight Supreme resumed with a 10th-place finish on turf in a run better than it reads. He’s more effective on this surface and can improve. #11 Leslie flashed home for second to Fashion Legend two back and is now down to a mark where he can strike.

Race 5 – KAU TO SHAN HANDICAP
#3 Beauty Viva dropped into Class 4 late last season and performed well despite a run of wide draws before a late transfer to the Tony Cruz stable. From barrier 1, his map gets an upgrade and this presents as a prime opportunity to win. #7 Pearl Of Pang’s was rewarded for his consistency with a strong win last start and can carry on in a similar vein of form. #11 Special Hedge should land comfortably on the pace from barrier 2 and, when right, is capable of being in the finish. #10 Star Brose didn’t manage a win in his debut campaign, but there’s something there. Purton sticks first-up and his trials have been sound.

Race 6 – THE KPMG 80TH ANNIVERSARY CUP (HANDICAP)
#6 Victory Sky is still chasing his first Hong Kong win after 12 attempts, but he’s been in the placings six times with some decent form references among them. A better draw than he’s had in recent starts gives him a genuine chance of breaking through. #7 The Red Hare wasn’t far away in three runs last term and had excuses last time covering ground from a wide gate. The off-season should have done him good and he can give this a shake. #10 Thousand Spirit has shown off-season improvement in recent trials and can take a step forward at his third local start. #3 Stanley Express makes his debut for the Pierre Ng yard. He arrived with strong Australian credentials, though his local trials have been only fair to date.

Race 7 – KOWLOON BAY HANDICAP
#7 The Heir looks capable of going back-to-back, with barrier 2 setting him up for a world-perfect run. He remains well rated in Class 4 and the Caspar Fownes yard is in flying form. #1 Mr Cool looked a horse on the up last term and his recent trial was ultra-impressive. He will need to overcome barrier 14 but shapes as one ready to climb the ratings. #4 Beauty Glory is a three-time first-up winner and maps to roll forward under Purton from stall 10. He can’t be overlooked at this level, either. #10 Diriya remains unexposed with just three starts and had excuses in all of them. His trial win for the return was full of merit.

Race 8 – PAT SIN LENG HANDICAP
#7 Chill Kaka is a progressive all-weather type with two wins at the course and trip. He had vet excuses when disappointing last seen but has since trialled well twice and reunites with Zac Purton, who looks to give him every chance to bounce back. #4 Mojave Desert produced his trademark strong finish into the placings first-up over 1200m, and if the tempo is genuine, he comes right into the picture. #2 Dragon Air Force caught the eye late into fifth over 1200m on return and strips fitter here. A step up to this distance, where he beat Chill Kaka three starts ago, suits. #9 New Forest will be prominent early and shares the pace with Ariel—how hard they take each other on determines the race shape.

Race 9 – YI TUNG SHAN HANDICAP
#2 Gorgeous Win gave away a big head start first-up but closed off well into fourth behind Ka Ying Rising. The move to barrier 1 and the booking of Hugh Bowman both work in his favour second-up. #11 Brilliant Express covered plenty of ground on his Class 2 debut yet wasn’t beaten far into ninth. He’s had no luck with gates but still looks to have upside. #3 Dancing Code maps to get the right run from barrier 4 and looks set to carry on from the strong form he showed last season. #1 Young Champion can mix his form but is more than capable on his day and is one to keep safe second-up.

Race 10 – MA KONG SHAN HANDICAP
#1 Storm Rider has won two trials in impressive fashion ahead of his return, and the reunion with Zac Purton—aboard for all three career wins—sets him up nicely for a strong first-up showing. #8 Magnificent Nine struggles to win in this grade but has placed nine times and maps to get a soft run from the low draw. He’s likely to be around the mark again. #6 Lo Pan Spirit was caught wide without cover first-up but is capable of better, particularly if he maps more kindly. #3 Lucky My Way steps into Class 3 after back-to-back wins to close last term in style. It’s a fresh test, but his ceiling still looks untapped.

[Kasept]

Luke Middlebrook's Sha Tin ~ Sunday, 28 September 2025.

Sha Tin Selections

Race 1: #8 Speedy Smartie, #3 Yee Cheong Raider, #6 Brilliant Fire, #12 Sonic Boom
Race 2: #1 Top Throne, #9 Lahore, #8 Flowing Riches, #13 Mr Desira
Race 3: #8 Smashing Express, #6 Draco, #3 Perfect Peach, #10 Family Fortune
Race 4: #1 Fun N Fun Together, #8 Daily Trophy, #3 Yee Cheong Spirit, #12 Meepmeep
Race 5: #4 Packing Phoenix, #6 Rising Phoenix, #2 Spicy Standard, #8 Patch Of Time
Race 6: #10 Winning Machine, #8 Lucky Sam Gor, #1 Blazing Wukong, #6 Conspiracy Witness
Race 7: #4 Little Paradise, #10 King Of Fighters, #11 The Revolution, #2 Bundle Of Charm
Race 8: #8 My Wish, #6 Packing Hermod, #12 Light Years Charm, #9 Rubylot
Race 9: #4 Dancing Code, #2 Gorgeous Win, #11 Brilliant Express, #1 Young Champion
Race 10: #14 Top Time, #7 South Star, #2 Beauty Crescent, #9 Spirit Of Peace
Race 11: #5 Beauty Bolt, #10 Endeared, #4 Yuen Long Elite, #11 Flying Luck


Race 1 – TROPICBIRD HANDICAP
#8 Speedy Smartie turned in a decent run first-up when forced to work from a wide draw, boxing on gamely into second. He’s much better placed from barrier 3 and gets a genuine chance to deliver Brett Crawford his first Hong Kong winner. #3 Yee Cheong Raider steps into Class 5 for the first time and has been holding his form well. His two recent efforts over this course and distance were encouraging, and Purton’s booking from a soft draw makes him a serious player. #6 Brilliant Fire showed marked improvement first-up, running on late despite traffic in the straight, and looks set to progress further. #12 Sonic Boom closed sharply from the tail first-up on turf and now switches back to his preferred all-weather surface. Drawing the inside gate only enhances his claims.

Race 2 – PARROT HANDICAP
#1 Top Throne won one from four last season and had excuses from wide draws in his final two runs. His two trial wins leading into this have been strong, and barrier 14 is ideal for the straight course. #9 Lahore returns to the straight 1000m, where he was placed twice from three starts last term. He’s been prepared with two trials and comes from the in-form Jamie Richards yard, which bodes well fresh. #8 Flowing Riches caught the eye trialling behind Lahore and was only seen three times last season, showing glimpses of ability. The addition of cheekpieces could be key. #13 Mr Desira resumes for just his second career run and is expected to improve on his debut sixth.

Race 3 – WOODPECKER HANDICAP
#8 Smashing Express is on the seven-day turnaround after hitting the line strongly into third over 1800m, and from a soft draw he gets every chance to deliver in a wide-open Class 5. #6 Draco was sent out a loose favourite first-up but endured a tough run from barrier 12, finishing a sound fifth. Though his form is on the up, he’s drawn awkwardly again. #3 Perfect Peach resumed with a dominant win and, if he presents in similar shape, is capable of going back-to-back. #10 Family Fortune has been knocking on the door since the drop to this grade and, with a closing second to Perfect Peach fresh, he’s again right in the mix.

Race 4 – SWALLOW HANDICAP
#1 Fun N Fun Together resumes off two strong trials and reunites with Zac Purton, who led all the way aboard him for his maiden win three back. He’ll look to repeat that front-running success here. #8 Daily Trophy picked up where he left off with a fast-finishing second on return and remains well placed to go one better. #3 Yee Cheong Spirit makes his all-weather debut but has consistently trialled well on the surface and can figure with luck from gate 10. #12 Meepmeep draws an inside gate for the first time in a while, which gives him the chance to map much closer and improve his chances, even if he is better suited over further.

Race 5 – SHRIKE HANDICAP
#4 Packing Phoenix is a smart-looking newcomer for the Francis Lui yard who has trialled well in the lead-up, showing likeable gate speed. Expect him to lead and be hard to wear down. #6 Rising Phoenix is heading the right way and his first-up run down the straight, where he was held up before charging late into second, reads well. #2 Spicy Standard franked his improved off-season trial form with an impressive two-length win over this course and trip. As a John Size PPG, he's entitled to go on with it. #8 Patch Of Time bounded out and settled further back than usual first-up and never featured, but he’s better than that and can rebound on prior form.

Race 6 – TAILORBIRD HANDICAP
#10 Winning Machine attracted solid market support first-up but endured a tough run wide without cover in a strongly run race and was entitled to tire late. He moves into barrier 1, which is a major upgrade and should ensure a softer run. #8 Lucky Sam Gor was a luckless third when held up at the top of the straight and looks ready to win. The wide draw makes his task harder, but that will help the price. #1 Blazing Wukong has returned in good order if his recent trials are any guide. Lightly raced and progressive, he looks to have more to offer this season. #6 Conspiracy Witness never got clear running first-up, but stepping up in trip and the booking of Zac Purton both suggest he can take a step forward.

Race 7 – CUCKOO HANDICAP
#4 Little Paradise was a two-time winner from just four starts last season and was unlucky not to add a third win when narrowly beaten after a luckless run in his final outing. He returns off an impressive trial win, and with Zac Purton taking over from barrier 4, he can atone. #10 King Of Fighters made solid late ground into third on resumption with blinkers applied for the first time and should relish the move to the bigger Sha Tin circuit second-up. #11 The Revolution showed nothing in two starts last term but has returned a much-improved horse judging by his recent trials, and the inside gate gives him the chance to translate that to raceday. #2 Bundle Of Charm caught the eye when finishing well for fourth on the all-weather first-up and back on turf with a better draw gives him claims.

Race 8 – THE CELEBRATION CUP (HANDICAP)
#8 My Wish shapes as one of the more exciting prospects going forward this season. His two trials for return have been impressive, and from barrier 4 he maps ideally on pace in a race lacking pressure. He is primed to resume as a winner. #6 Packing Hermod is a proven fresh performer with three of his six wins coming first-up. His form is strong, and he too maps to fight out the finish. #12 Light Years Charm takes a step up in class and faces a fresh test, but what he produced last term suggests there’s more to come. #9 Rubylot will get well back from barrier 14 but is capable of launching late under the right race shape.

Race 9 – MAGPIE HANDICAP
#4 Dancing Code maps to get the right run from barrier 2 and looks set to carry on from the strong form he showed last season while the stable is firing on all cylinders. #2 Gorgeous Win gave away a big head start first-up but closed off well into fourth behind Ka Ying Rising. The booking of Hugh Bowman works in his favour second-up but he will need a bit of luck starting from barrier 10. #11 Brilliant Express was caught wide on his Class 2 debut yet stuck on gamely into ninth. He’s been dealt better luck with the draw this time and remains one on the up. #1 Young Champion can mix his form but is more than capable on his day and is one to keep safe second-up.

Race 10 – HWAMEI HANDICAP
#14 Top Time was luckless when resuming, held up badly in the straight before surging late for second. He rises to Class 3 for the first time but drops in weight and maps for every chance from barrier 1. #7 South Star showed good ability last term with two wins from seven starts and returns off an impressive trial win, now with Zac Purton booked for the first time. #2 Beauty Crescent has turned a corner since a tactics change and comes into this shooting for a third straight win. #9 Spirit Of Peace ran on strongly into third behind Beauty Crescent when resuming and, although likely to settle back from gate 11, he’ll be closing off with interest again.

Race 11 – MESIA HANDICAP
#5 Beauty Bolt looks a serious prospect for the season ahead. He impressed into second on debut before scoring impressively second-up, and he returns with Classic Series aspirations on the radar. #10 Endeared is likeable on the quick back-up following a strong second on the all-weather. He finally draws a low gate again, which he’s rarely enjoyed, and that could be the difference. #4 Yuen Long Elite rounded out last term with a commanding course-and-distance win and has trialled well leading in. He’ll roll forward despite the wide draw and give them something to catch. #11 Flying Luck chased Yuen Long Elite home in that win, has been prepared with two trials, and looks ready to fire fresh from the in-form Caspar Fownes stable.