WINNO'S WINNERS - HONG KONG - FWD CHAMPIONS DAY

By Darren Winningham | Sunday, April 27, 2025

2025 FWD CHAMPIONS DAY

The Hong Kong FWD Champion’s Race Day of International Racing is here!

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 – has not been raced on for one month – they could run record times if the track remains firm.

The feature races are:

Race 5 The Chairman’s Sprint – HK$22 million prizemoney
Race 7 The FWD Champions Mile – HK$24 million prizemoney
Race 8 The FWD QEII Cup – HK$28 million prizemoney

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

Race 1

A Class 4 race to start off the program – over 1800 metres.

Tough way to open the program.

Volcanic Spark (5) will be ridden by James McDonald for Ricky Yiu. They will combine later in the FWD Champions Mile with Voyage Bubble – maybe they can get the day off to a wonderful start. He raced and placed over 1800 metres here a few starts ago. Last start he stepped up to 2000 metres and didn’t fire. Back in distance should suit him.

Matsu Victor (1) will have Joao Moreira riding for Francis Lui. He will be on speed and if there is any track bias early – he may just set the race up and win.

Zac Purton rides Beauty Viva for Pierre Ng. An important gear change with the blinkers going back on. He ran well in a recent barrier trial finishing off the race nicely. He raced over the mile last start and was severely hampered at the start - it may pay to overlook that run and I anticipate a better performance with the gear change.

Kasa Papa (7) is a good chance for your exotics.

Selections:

5 – Volcanic Spark
2 – Beauty Viva
1 – Matsu Victor
7 – Kasa Papa

Race 2

A sprint race over 1200 metres at Class 4 level.

David Hayes trains a last start winner here over the track and distance, Top Throne (3) Karis Teetan will retain the ride again. He showed a little bit of class last time out when he was held up at the 400 metres and still managed to get up and win. I just think the extra weight this week will probably make life a little bit difficult for him. There is no doubt he'll be the early market favourite, but I'm looking for something to knock him off.

Beauty Missile (6) is trained by Frankie Lor and Alexis Badel (who rode a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night) will ride. He was second over this track and distance last time out where he ran some nice sectional times. I think with the weight difference he could cause an upset here. He has drawn well in barrier 7.

Jimmy Orman will be riding Aeroinvincible (1) for Pierre Ng. He has some minor gear changes and drops from class three grade back to class four grade. Despite the huge weight I think he can run a bold race. He has had two recent barrier trials, winning the last one. He could get up at a big price.

Goldentronicmighty (14) is trained by Jamie Richards and will be ridden by Matthew Poon. The horse is down in the weights, is drawn well and just could pose a massive risk to these other horses who are carrying the big weights. He's likely to be good odds as well - keep this runner safe.

Patch Of Time (4) will be ridden by Lyle Hewitson – has placed in his last two starts at the track and distance. Will be thereabouts again.

Selections:

6 – Beauty Missile
3 – Top Throne
14 – Goldentronicmighty
1 – Aeroinvincible
Rough chances – (4) Patch Of Time

Race 3

A race over 1400 metres – this time at the Class 4 level.

Roman Crown (10) will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla for Pierre Ng. Has been racing consistently. Raced at this track and distance last time out and performed well. Has drawn well this weekend and is not without a genuine each way chance.

Zac Purton will ride Patch Of Stars (9) who seemed to find trouble in these last two recent starts. If Zac can get him away and give him a clean run throughout,t he could upset the more favoured runners. He is trained by KL Man.
Riding Together (3) will be ridden by Andrea Atzeni for David Eustace. He has raced in Class Three grade races in his past two starts over 1400 metres. He drops back in grade and in doing so gets a large weight. I don't think that the weight will bother him. In his past two starts his sectionals have been quite good, suggesting that he will be right in this race. He looks like a genuine chance to knock off the favourite.

Super Express (1) is trained by veteran trainer John Size. He will be ridden by James McDonald. He was heavily supported at his debut run in Hong Kong where he was held up in the straight and still managed to get the job done in an impressive fashion. He looks like a genuine racehorse that should be followed in the future, but I think this weekend the weight may be just too much and he may get exposed late in the race.

Selections:

3 – Riding Together
1 – Super Express
9 – Patch Of Stars
10 – Roman Crown
Rough chances – (5) Monarch County

Race 4

This race is over 1400 metres at Class 2 grade.

Divano (2) raced on this day last year and won! Zac Purton will ride him for Francis Lui. He won last time out in Class 1 over this distance. On that occasion he defeated Taj Dragon (1) who he meets here again. However, the weight differential is a 3.5 kilogram in favour of Taj Dragon (1) - just not too sure whether the weights have caught up with his runner.

Taj Dragon (1) will be written by James McDonald for trainer Pierre Ng. For the reasons above, I expect him to also struggle with the large weight.

I've gone for a horse who I believe is on the up and has won his past two starts – Invincible Shield (6). In both starts he has raced in Class Three grade and has carried big weights - he steps up to class two grade and drops in weight however steps up in distance for the first time to 1400 metres. The way he races would suggest that he would be able to run out the extra distance. I note that Craig Williams has been booked to ride – he will be flying into Hong Kong after riding in Perth on Saturday. Trained by Francis Lui.

Young Champion (4) is trained by John Size and will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla. Two starts ago he won at the track and distance then last start he drew wide and they decided to ride him at the back of the field which ultimately proved his downfall. He had no luck in the straight ,however still managed to run a gallant second. He has had a month freshen up now since the last start and I would expect that he will be forward after two recent barrier trials to make his mark here.

Selections:

6 – Invincible Shield
4 – Young Champion
2 – Divano
1 – Taj Dragon
Rough chance – (5) Dancing Code

Race 5 CHAIRMAN’S SPRINT PRIZE (Group 1)

The feature sprint race on the program at Group 1 level. HK$22 million in prizemoney.

I think just stand and applaud as Zac Purton steers this David Hayes superstar sprinter home – Ka Ying Rising(1). He has looking fir his twelfth win in a row. He is the current world’s best sprinter – only bad luck should see him defeated.

Despite drawing wide Helios Express (6) 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.

Lucky Sweynesse (3) won this race two years ago – I was here and it was an amazing effort. He hasn’t raced for 12 months. He has won two recent barrier trials. He has drawn well and KL Man trains him. James McDonald will ride. It would be wonderful for Hong Kong racing if he makes a successful return to racing and then can go on with it over the coming few months.

The Japanese runners are well represented here. They all have been working quite well across the week. Satono Reve (1) Is a last start Group 1 winner in Japan and will be ridden by Joao Moreira. He rode him at track work on the turf on Thursday and he could not have been any more impressive.

The other Japanese runner who has been working well all week is A Shin Fencer (13). She is perfectly drawn in barrier 1 and Craig Williams will ride.

Selections:

1 – Ka Ying Rising
6 – Helios Express
3 – Lucky Sweynesse
2 – Satono Reve
Rough chances – (13) A Shin Fencer

Race 6

A race over 1200 metres – Class 3.

Looks like a solid trifecta (box 3,4,9).

Geneva (3) is trained by David Hall – Brenton Avdulla is on board again. A last start winner here at this distance - he just keeps improving with each run and deserves his chance to post consecutive wins. Just concerned with the increased weight here.

Masterofmyuniverse (4) will be written by Zac Purton for trainer John Size. He was heavily backed last start and sent out as favourite. He drew wide – then left the barriers poorly then got held up at a vital stage in the straight - just forgive the run. This weekend he has drawn barrier 2 and has had a month freshen up since his last run. He has had two barrier trials since and, on each occasion, has performed well.

Super Legends (5) will be ridden by James McDonald for trainer Danny Shum. He also drew wide last start and they decided to go back on him – it’s not really his go. Barrier 3 this weekend look for him to be ridden more positively closer to the speed.

There is a definite knockout chance here at big odds that is trained by David Hayes – Akashvani (9). He has been racing in Grade 4 company and steps up to Grade Three company this weekend. In doing so he has gone down in the weights. His last start was full of merit. Drawn barrier 14 they crossed the field with him and took up a prominent position in behind the leader.Tthe early effort seemed to tell late and he just ran out of steam. Down in the weights this weekend and the small field probably suits him. He will be given the run of the race by Lyle Hewitson.

Selections:

4 – Masterofmyuniverse
3 – Geneva
9 – Akashvani
5 – Super Legends
Rough chances – (7) Fortune Supernova

Race 7 FWD CHAMPIONS MILE – GROUP 1

The second of our feature races – the CHAMPIONS MILE! HK$24 million prizemoney.

Voyage Bubble (2) is a Ricky Yiu runner who has just thrived in recent months. He has won his past four starts with James McDonald aboard – is this the key factor to this horse's turn around? His last three starts have been in Group 1 level and on each occasion he has saluted. His last start win in the Hong Kong Gold Cup in at Group One level over 2000 metres was impressive. He is eligible for the triple crown in Hong Kong – the trainer thinks he will get the 2400 metres.

I am just not sure what sort of tempo we will get in the race.

Galaxy Patch (9) is trained by Pierre Ng and Zac Purton will ride. He raced over 1600 metres at his last start and was held up in the straight. Since then, there have been some gear changes and a recent trial. He is looking for his maiden Group 1 win – not without some hope.

My Wish (12) is the Mark Newnham runner who was the heavily backed favourite in the BMW Hong Kong Derby over 2000 metres. He went down by an eyelash – had no luck in the running and probably should have been a feature winner at his tenth start – but that is racing! Luke Ferraris will retain the ride. I think that he is better at the mile. I just hope there is some speed. If there is none this may have an adverse effect on his chances. I think that we will be talking about this runner in December or next April as one of the next Hong Kong champions.

Mr. Brightside trained by Lindsay Park – the Hayes boys! Craig Williams knows him so well. He has worked the place down all week. A winner of nine Group 1 races – an amazing bunch of owners as well – hopefully I will get an invite to the celebrations if they win! What can I say – he has drawn barrier 2 – that gives them so many options. Hopefully he will be two pairs back in the running watching it all unfold and then get out and make that customary sterling effort that he makes every time he goes around. He is a genuine chance for Australia to claim a feature race here after a drought for many years.

Happy Together (9) trained by Frankie Lor with Alexis Badel aboard. His work this week could let him sneak a place.

Selections:

2 – Voyage Bubble
12 – My Wish
1 – Mr. Brightside
9 – Happy Together
Rough chances – (6) Galaxy Patch

Race 8 FWD QEII CUP – GROUP 1

The last of our feature races – this time over 2000 metres. HK$28 million in prizemoney.

No Romantic Warrior this year – the field is very open!

If you like one here – back it – the field is very equal.

Ensued (7) is trained by John Size – Brenton Avdulla will ride. I keep going back to his second to Voyage Bubble in the Hong Kong Gold Cup (Group 1) two starts ago over this distance. I think 2000 metres is his go and, on his home track with some good work across the week, you just can't leave him out.

David Hayes has another live feature race chance with Rubylot (10). Hugh Bowman will ride. I like the four-year-old gelding who was knocked out of the race in the BMW Hong Kong Derby a month ago. He still performed well in the race despite the interference at the start. He's just had a freshen up in a race over 1400 metres since that effort. Trained here as a local horse he ticks many boxes. It is possible that the Hayes family could train the three feature winners on this programme - I don't think that feat will ever be matched n the history of Hong Kong races if it occurs.

Cap Ferrat (9) is trained here as well by Francis Lui with crag Williams riding the gelding again. People say that he was a surprise winner in the BMW Hong Kong Derby at his last start, but if you had looked at his form, especially the race prior in the lead up to the race, his efforts haven't been that bad. Winning form is good form going into these feature races. I do expect him still to be a ridiculous price in this feature event - I just can't leave him out.

Prior to Romantic Warrior's dominance in the past three years the Japanese runners have had good success in this race. One Japanese runner has worked consistently across the week - it would suggest that he could win the race. Tastiera (3) who will be ridden by Australian jockey Damian Lane for Japanese trainer Noriyuki Hori looks well placed. He had his first look at Hong Kong racing in the December's Hong Kong International Race (HKIR) meeting where he ran the gallant third to Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup (Group 1). He resumes here after that run and while on paper as a punter you may be scared off, the Japanese have a knack of bringing horses to these distance races first up and getting them to win. I think he can win the race but, if he doesn't, it may be a clean sweep of the feature races to the Hong Kong locals and they will be cheering loudly.

Selections:

3 – Tastiera
7 – Ensued
9 – Rubylot
10 – Cap Ferrat
Rough chances – (2) Prognosis

Race 9

A Class 3 over 1600 metres.

Tourbillon Prince (1) will be ridden by Zac Purton for trainer T Yung. He dropped back from Class Two grade to Class Three grade last start here over the mile. He drew badly on that occasion and had to go forward from the wide barrier and just seemed to run out of condition late. He is drawn well this week. Look for Purton to take a sit on him close to the speed and then unleash a powerful finish to possibly win the race.

Star Mac (6) is trained by David Hayes with Brenton Avdulla riding. He has drawn barrier 1, however I don't think that is going to be of any benefit to him as he is a runner that gets back in his races and then finishes off the race late. Just not too sure if there's enough speed in this race to bring him into the race late however, he cannot be left out of your exotics.

Good Luck Babe (14) is trained by David Eustace. He is having a wonderful season so far with 24 winners and HK$31 million is prizemoney stakes. Karis Teetan will be riding him again. He goes up from Class Four race to a Class Three grade race and drops in weight substantially. He likes to lead and bowl along in front and in his last start here over the mile he ran them into the ground with a large weight. I expect that they will use the tactics again this week with no weight on his back and he could prove hard to rundown.

Winning Gold (5) is trained by Y So and Jimmy Orman will ride. He has been racing over 1800 metres in his past two starts. Last start with Orman aboard they rode him closer to the speed and he seemed to race more generously. I think the tactics will be the same this weekend as he drops back to the mile.

Family Jewel (10) is trained by Casper Fownes and will be ridden by Joao Moriera. He resumed in February over 1800 metres and raced well. Since then, he has had a freshen up and a few recent barrier trials. I think he is better placed over the mile with two career wins at the distance at the track. Look for a bold first up effort.

Morgan Success (13) from the Douglas Whyte yards could upset them at decent odds. A strong second here last start at the distance. Harry Bentley will ride.

Selections:

10 – Family Jewel
1 – Tourbillon Prince
14 – Good Luck Babe
6 – Star Mac
Rough chances – (13) Morgan Success & (5) Winning Gold

Race 10

A Class 3 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.

Endeared (4) is trained by John Size and Craig Williams will ride. He won two starts ago here at this track and distance and on that occasion, Williams rode him. He has had a run since then when there was no support for him in the markets ,however he still ran a nice third at this distance. He has drawn well in barrier 8 and expect him to be ridden closer to the speed this week. He is an each way chance.

Charming Legend (1) will be written by James McDonald for trainer Danny Shum. Has been racing consistently at this distance and may pop up at big odds.

Silo (2) is trained by Mark Newnham and Hugh Bowman will ride. The racing barrier gods have been unfriendly to this runner in his past two starts drawing wide on each occasion. Nothing seems to have changed this week with him drawing poorly again in barrier 12. Each time in his past few starts he's had to be ridden from behind and I expect that this will be the same this weekend.

Another Zonda (9) is trained by Y Tsui and Matthew Chadwick will ride him. He goes up in grade after winning in Grade 4 over this track and distance last time out with Jimmy Orman riding. As he is going up in grade he drops in weight. His last start was full of merit as he stormed down the outside and ran some nice sectionals, I think he can go on with it here this weekend. All his career wins have been at this distance he warrants much respect.

Everyone’s Star (10) is trained by Frankie Lor and it gives Joao Moreira a chance to win the last race on the program and celebrate with his local Hong Kong fans. He has drawn barrier one which will be an advantage for him. At his last start when he was defeated by Endeared (4) he seemed to race keenly in the run. He has had to freshen up and a solid recent barrier trial. He will be ready to fire in this race.

Harold Win (14) with Andrea Atzeni aboard for Francis Lui has run placings in his last three starts. He goes from a Grade 4 race to a Grade 3 race – he did strike Another Zonda (9) last time out. They meet again here.

Selections:

9 – Another Zonda
10 – Everyone’s Star
4 – Endeared
14 – Harold Win
Rough chances – (1) Charming Legend & (2) Silo
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Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

1,3,9,10 / 1,4,6 / 1,6 / 3,4,9 - cost is $72 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

1,3 / 4,6 / 1 / 3,4 - cost is $8 to $1

Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

2,12 / 3,7,9 / 1,10,14 / 4,9,10,14 - cost is $72 to $1

Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

2,12 / 3,7 / 1,10 / 4,9,10 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 8 to 10)

3,7,9 / 1,10,14 / 4,9,10,14 - cost is $36 to $1

SUPER 6 (HK only races 5 to 10)

1 / 3,4,9 / 2,12 / 3,7 / 1,10,14 / 4,9,10 - cost is $108 to $1

Jockeys Challenge

It is a battle royale - James McDonald, Zac Purton, Craig Wiliams, and Brenton Avdulla. 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 a solid win for the current leading trainer John Size.

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