WINNO'S WINNERS: SHA TIN, APRIL 26, 2026

By Darren Winningham | Saturday, April 25, 2026

2026 FWD CHAMPIONS DAY
SHA TIN RACES – SUNDAY APRIL 26, 2026

The Hong Kong FWD Champion’s Race Day, a feast of International racing is set down Sunday 26 April, 2026. Can you believe a massive 11 races to be decided!

The rail is in the true position for the meeting. There is some rain forecast – but hopefully it will stay away. At this stage the track will be ‘Good.’ They could run record times if the track remains firm.

The feature races are:

Race 5 The Chairman’s Sprint Prize – HK$24 million prize money
Race 7 The FWD Champions Mile – HK$24 million prize money
Race 9 The FWD QEII Cup – HK$30 million prize money

A big day at Sha Tin – the world’s eyes will be on this meeting!

Race 1

A Class 4 race to start off the program – over 1200 metres. A tough way to open the program.

A fair few first starters here – keep your eye on the markets to see any major moves!

Prestige Hall (11) has had no luck in his past two starts being hampered both times. Hugh Bowman takes the ride for David Hall – I expect a bold effort.

Matzden (1) drops from Class 3 to Class 4 grade. Looks well placed despite the huge weight. Can run time and Jamie Richards stables have been in form recently – Mark Zahra will ride.

Akermanis Gold (3) is another runner dropping in grade from Class 3 to 4. Trained by David Eustace – Ethan Brown has been booked to ride – can he ride his first winner at Sha Tin in his first ride? He has drawn wide – again has had some poor luck in his recent runs being belted around in the final 200 metres – he can run time – he may just fill a place.

Navas G (10) is trained by Douglas Whyte with the apprentice Nicola Yuen riding and claiming 4.5 kilograms. The recent trials have been super – keep safe. If the trial form is anything to go by – this first starter from barrier 7 could upset a solid field here.

Packing King (13) trained by Danny Shum is one resuming from a lengthy spell. His trials all have been solid and with Zac Purton aboard he must be respected.

Selections:
11 – PRESTIGE HALL
10 – NAVAS G
13 – PACKING KING
3 – AKERMANIS GOLD
Rough chance – (1) MATZDEN

Race 2

A middle-distance race over 1600 metres at Class 4 level.

There is some good speed here – something swooping maybe to win?

Jamie Richards trains a last start winner here over the track and distance – Big Return (6). Alexis Badel will retain the ride again. He gets back in his runs and will fly home late – will need some luck in this big field.

Massive Glory (5) is trained by Frankie Lor and Derek Leung will ride. Was a nice effort first up over 1400 metres for the new stable (first start in HK). I think there is plenty of improvement in him.

Jolly Brilliant (7) will be ridden by Hugh Bowman for Ricky Yiu. He steps up to the mile for the first time. His last start effort over the 1400 metres was good enough to suggest that he can be in the placings.

Circuit Marshal (9) is trained by Mark Newnham with apprentice Jerry Chau (who is flying) to ride. He was superb in his last start here over 1400 metres, coming from way back in the field to storm home late and nearly get the win! If he can settle a little closer – and given the speed in the race – he will be right in the finish!


Selections:

9 – CIRCUIT MARSHAL
7 – JOLLY BRILLIANT
6 – BIG RETURN
5 – MASSIVE GLORY
Rough chance – (8) AMAZING AWARD

Race 3

A race over 1200 metres – at the Class 4 level.

Better and Better (12) will have Alexis Badel riding for Frankie Lor and is a last start winner here. The win was a month ago and it was his first career win in 12 starts here (I know – not that solid). He has won a recent barrier trial – maybe now that he has seen the winning post, he can go on with it. Just down in the weights and with his striking time last time out, he got my attention.

Absolute Heart (1) is a debut winner here in Hong Kong for trainer W K Mo. Derek Leung is aboard again. A solid recent barrier trial to top him off for this assignment. Drawn barrier 1 – will likely lead again – will the weight stop him late or is he a genuine horse moving forward? We will know soon.

Mr Incredible (2) – this runner may be named after me, right? He is another last start winner. Karis Teetan will ride for Brett Crawford. He won on debut here in a very notable effort. Second up he failed – maybe he suffered the second up yips – look for an improved effort from barrier 2.

Oldtown (5) – with Jimmy Orman riding for Mark Newnham. Some solid trials. Keep safe.

Solid Car (6) is another resuming here who has been trialling well and has Ethan Brown riding for David Hall.

Selections:

12 – BETTER AND BETTER
1 – ABSOLUTE HEART
2 – MR INCREDIBLE
6 – SOLID CAR
Rough chance – (5) OLDTOWN

Race 4

This race is over 1400 metres at Class 4 grade.

Ace (12) is a last start winner for Mark Newnham at this distance at Class 5 grade. He goes up in grade and apprentice Jerry Chau stays in the saddle. He lost a plate in the running last time out – he ran good sectionals and lumped 61 kilograms. There was a lot to like about the win – I think I will stick solid.

Jamie Richards trains Star Figure (14) with Brenton Avdulla to ride. Back in February he got too far back, but stormed home over this distance. Then went for an eight week freshen up. He resumed at Happy Valley – just forget the run – no luck and could not finish off on that tight turning track. Back at Sha Tin he is a genuine chance to post a win.

Robot Star (3) is trained by K L Man and Hugh Bowman rides. Solid second here at the track and distance three weeks ago – is right in this.

Kings Dance (5) sees Francis Lui and Vincent Ho (of Golden Sixty fame) team up here. He was a $34 chance last start and won here at this distance. He does need some speed as he gets back in his races. He is drawn barrier 4 – so will need some luck in the running at some point.

Selections:

12 – ACE
14 – STAR FIGURE
3 – ROBOT STAR
5 – KINGS DANCE
Rough chance – (4) NYX GLUCK

Race 5 CHAIRMAN’S SPRINT PRIZE (Group 1)

The feature sprint race on the program at Group 1 level. HK$24 million in prize money.

I think just stand and applaud as Zac Purton steers this David Hayes superstar sprinter home – Ka Ying Rising (1). He thrashed a field at his last start at this track, set a new track record and now seeks to extend his record breaking run to 20 consecutive wins. He will not be breaking any track record today for mine – but the spectacle to see him in action is well worth the admission to Sha Tin racecourse.

Helios Express (3) is a class runner and excels in these races with some consistent performances against Ka Ying Rising (1). John Size trains – Hugh Bowman will ride – he would be a Group 1 winner only for this freak of the turf he is running second to so many times.

Satono Reve (1) from Japan will probably run another place here at Sha Tin – Joao Moreira will ride.

Fast Network (4), a local runner with James McDonald aboard, will be there as well.

Selections:

1 – KA YING RISING
3 – HELIOS EXPRESS
1 – SATONO REVE
4 – FAST NETWORK

Race 6

A race over 1200 metres – Class 3.

Cool Boy (5) is trained by Jamie Richards will be ridden by Zac Purton. His last start was a month ago at this track and distance where he played up and had already run his race behind the barriers. He just ran an even effort. He has been freshened since then and has gone and won a recent barrier trial would suggest that he is in top condition to win this race.

Vincent Ho rides Thunder Kit (13) for Francis Lui. He settles midfield and can run some good sectionals. Down in the weight and with a gear change – I expect him to improve sharply.

Celestial Hero (3) is trained by Douglas Whyte and Joao Moreira will ride. He has the blinkers coming off and the sheepskin pieces going back on for this run. He raced here the first week of March and went well. He then went to Happy Valley where he drew wide, was taken back and really had no luck in running. Just forget that run and go in the previous form. With the gear change and the addition of a solid jockey I would assume that he will improve and be competitive here.

Geneva (4) drew wide last time and went back from the barrier – probably didn’t enhance his chances as he struck interference in the running. David Hall trains and Hugh Bowman will ride.

Selections:

5 – COOL BOY
13 – THUNDER KIT
3 – CELESTIAL HERO
4 – GENEVA
Rough chances – (6) LIFELINE EXPRESS

Race 7 FWD CHAMPIONS MILE – GROUP 1

The second of our feature races – the MILE! HK$24 million prize money.

My Wish (5) is the Mark Newnham runner who has been unlucky. He just seems to find trouble in his races – IF he can just get some luck, he will confirm what many have said for a long time – he is a Group 1 horse. Hugh Bowman will ride. He was storming home behind Lucky Sweynesee (4) at his last start here at this distance only to be beaten narrowly.

Invincible Ibis (10) is the stable mate – James McDonald will ride. He won the BMW Derby a few weeks ago. Back in distance – but if there is some speed on, he will be finishing off strongly.

Little Paradise (14) won two in a row one, at 1400 metres and the other at the mile. Then the stable experimented with sending him up in distance and he just didn’t fire. A four week freshen up – a solid barrier trial which he won – Zac Purton aboard and trained by Jimmy Ting – can they rewrite the record books where four-year-old runners have a poor record in this race.

Strauss (8) is the Japanese runner who has been working well all week at Sha Tin. Trained by Ryo Takei, he will be ridden by Joao Moreira. He comes off a win in Dubai over the mile. He has settled in well – seems to be happy in Hong Kong – maybe he can uphold the Japanese tradition in this race and get a win.

A word of caution – IF the rain comes and the track is wet – the runner to be on is the Francis Lui trained Copartner Prance – he loves the wet. He will race close to the speed. The best thing is that QLDer immy Orman will be aboard. He could well be doing a rain dance between now and Sunday – he could win his first Group 1 race!

Selections:

14 – LITTLE PARADISE
5 – MY WISH
8 – STRAUSS
10 – INVINCIBLE IBIS
Rough chances – (4) LUCKY SWEYNESSE & (13) COPARTNER PRANCE

Race 8

A Class 3 over 1400 metres.

The Red Hare (7) has been heavily backed in his past two starts. Three weeks ago, it just seemed to plug home. This gelding is trained by Frankie Lor and will be ridden by Nicola Yuen – she claims 4.5 kilograms. This could make his task easier.

Fit For Beauty (4) will be partnered by Zac Purton and John Size trains. He ran a good second at this distance last time out. Will be fitter for that effort and should be hard to hold out.

Power of Vitam (3) is a David Hall runner coming back in distance from the mile. He has won at this distance so he should thrive with the shorter race. Jimmy Orman will be in the saddle.

Aeroinvincible (10) is a Pierre Ng runner – Andrea Atzeni rides. He has won his past two starts at this distance at Class 4 level. On both occasions he raced on the speed and was too strong late. Despite going up in grade he goes down in weight – but the thing of note must be his times he has run – they all have been solid.

David Hayes and Craig Williams combine with Positive Smile (13) – a rough chance at odds.

Selections:

7 – THE RED HARE
4 – FIT FOR BEAUTY
10 – AEROINVINCIBLE
3 – POWER OF VITAM
Rough chance – (13) POSITIVE SMILE

Race 9 FWD QEII CUP – GROUP 1

The last of our feature races – this time over 2000 metres. HK$30 million in prize money.

Romantic Warrior (2) is back this year – after missing the race in 2025 due to his mission in Dubai.

Danny Shum has been upbeat all week about his champion stayer. The owner Peter Lau is confident and James McDonald is back at Sha Tin to ride him to another victory.

If there is ANY chink in his armour be careful of the French runner who won the LONGINES Vase in December – Sosie (4) with Maxime Guyon to ride for Andre Fabre. He turned up at track work at Sha Tin and in every performance on the track he has just got better. The stable do not say much – but I reckon they are confident.

Numbers (8) was a gallant second to Invincible Ibis in the Hong Kong Derby – trained by Frankie Lor – Derek Leung will ride.

Masquerade Ball (1) is the Japanese runner who has some solid wins at home. He is only a four-year-old and this is his first trip away from Japan. He has settled in nicely and worked well each day on the track -

Christophe Lemaire has had some success aboard him. He comes to Sha Tin to look for international glory.

Selections:

2 – ROMANTIC WARRIOR
4 – SOSIE
1 – MASQUERADE BALL
8 – NUMBERS

Race 10

A class 3 over 1600 metres.

Endued (3) is trained by John Size and Craig Williams will ride. He won three starts ago here at this track and since then has raced at the same distance and has been heavily backed and, to be fair, has been disappointing, but he has been in the money in each of these races. In his last start he was badly held up at the 300 metres – maybe should have finished closer with a clear run.

Lucky Sam Gor (1) is trained by Mark Newnham – Jerry Chau will ride. Flopped out of the barriers at the start last time and then struggled to get a position – then managed to make steady ground late.

Family Jewel (6) is trained by Casper Fownes with Joao Moreira riding. When you look at his form, he only had three career wins all at this track and distance. Last time out he was racing over 2000 metres and never got into the race. Dropping back in distance, look for a bold effort.

The Golden Knight (9) has won his past two starts here at this distance. Francis Lui trains and Maxime Guyon will ride him. He has had a recent barrier trial to keep him ticking over.

Shamus Storm (10) drops back from 1800 metres to the mile. He was a last start winner at the longer distance. He is trained by David Hayes – Harry Bentley will keep the ride.

Selections:

1 – LUCKY SAM GOR
9 – THE GOLDEN KNIGHT
6 – FAMILY JEWEL
3 – ENDUED
Rough chances – (10) SHAMUS STORM

Race 11

A Class 2 over 1400 metres.

This is the last race on a wonderful programme. The Hong Kong Jockey Club really knows how to showcase their racing on these big days.

Salon S (11) is trained by Frankie Lor and Matthew Poon will ride. Undefeated in four starts here and working through the grades nicely. Up from two wins in Grade 3 to Grade 2. Continues to run fast times and looks a nice prospect moving forward. There will be a mountain of money for this runner. He has had four weeks between runs and a solid barrier trial win – looks well placed. He will lead – he may be in trouble if something goes forward with him and puts pressure on.

I think that if there is any chance of him being beaten it is Winning Ovation (5) to be piloted by Zac Purton and trained by Tony Cruz. He won two starts here in a very fast time. He was beaten by Mugen (4) last time out – I think he can reverse that result.

Mugen (4) is trained by Brett Crawford and Karis Teetan will ride. Unwanted in the betting last start – running a $44 outsider - but the race was run to allow him to storm home and win on the line.

Six Pack (9) is trained by Douglas Whyte and Alexis Badel will ride. Finished third to Mugen (4) at his last start. He will be fitter for that run and should be in the finish.

Infinite Resolve (7) is a rough chance. Lyle Hewitson will ride for Mark Newnham.

Selections:

11 – SALON S
5 – WINNING OVATION
9 – SIX PACK
4 – MUGEN
Rough chances – (7) INFINITE RESOLVE
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Early Quaddie (races 4 to 7)

3,12,14 / 1 / 3,5,13 / 5,8,10,14 - cost is $36 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 4 to 7)

12,14 / 1 / 3,5,13 / 5,14 - cost is $12 to $1

Quaddie (races 8 to 11)

4,7,10 / 2,4 / 1,3,6,9 / 5,9,11 - cost is $72 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 8 to 11)

4,7,10 / 2 / 1,6,9 / 5,11 - cost is $18 to $1

Treble (races 9 to 11)

2,4 / 1,3,6,9 / 5,9,11 - cost is $24 to $1

SUPER 6 (HK only races 6 to 11)

3,5,13 / 5,8,14 / 4,7,10 / 2 / 1,6,9 /5,11 - cost is $162 to $1

Jockeys Challenge

It stars Zac Purton, Hugh Bowman, and Jerry Chau. What an array of talent to choose from – Zac Purton to get the win on a big day at Sha Tin.

Trainers Challenge

Looks like an open field – Mark Nenham, Frankie Lor, Jamie Richards and John Size. I think Mark may just pip Frankie.

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