Sha Tin Race 7 - The Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1)
The champ ROMANTIC WARRIOR (1) looks to extend his winning run here and he reunites with his old mate JMac. His recent trial was solid around VOYAGE BUBBLE and his form was somewhat franked behind Ka Ying Rising last time out. Can sit handy once again and bring up his 13th Group 1 victory. VOYAGE BUBBLE (2) won that trial as stated under Zac Purton recently on the back of a somewhat disappointing performance in the Stewards' Cup last time out. He's better than he showed there, but he'll have to be if he is to turn the tables on RW. The tactics will be interesting early doors. MY WISH (4) may not have made the jump to challenge the top two since his impressive wins earlier this season. Hugh Bowman hops on board today however and he steps out to 2000m for the first time since placing in the Derby. He looks the next best. ENSUED (5) is worth including in exotics.

Jockey: James McDonald
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Form hard to fault. Comes off a 35 day let-up. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.75 len at this track G1 Stewards' Cup January 25 over 1600m defeating Lucky Sweynesse carrying 57kg at $1.50. The run before that favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.75 len at this track G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup December 14 over 2000m defeating Bellagio Opera with 57kg at $1.10. Hard to see anything turning the tables on the champ.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/9 | 20/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Karis Teetan | 1:38.09 | - | 9 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 | |
| 1/9 | 25/01/2026 | 42 | G1 OPEN | $2,495,202.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | James McDonald | 57kg | 1:32.60 | 4-2-1 | 7 |
| 1.8L | $1.50 |
| 1/7 | 13/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 1:10.12 | - | 7 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 | |
| 1/7 | 14/12/2025 | 21 | G1 OPEN | $7,874,016.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | James McDonald | 57kg | 2:02.29 | 4-1-1 | 2 |
| 1.8L | $1.10 |
| 1/9 | 23/11/2025 | 232 | G2 OPEN | $1,051,081.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | James McDonald | 58kg | 2:03.72 | 3-2-1 | 2 |
| 1.5L | $1.40 |
| 2/11 | 05/04/2025 | 42 | G1 OPEN 4U | $2,173,913.00 | Meydan | 1800m | Good | James McDonald | 57kg | 1:45.84 | 2-1-2 | 9 |
| 0.0L | $1.28 |
| 2/14 | 22/02/2025 | 29 | SAUG1 CUP 4U | $8,583,691.00 | Riyadh Dirt | 1800m | Fast | James McDonald | 57kg | 1:49.10 | - | 3 |
| 0.3L | $3.00 |
| 1/8 | 24/01/2025 | 47 | G1 OPEN 4U | $811,404.00 | Meydan | 1800m | Good | James McDonald | 57kg | 1:45.10 | 1-1-1 | 1 |
| 4.5L | $1.85 |

Jockey: Zac Purton
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Form hard to fault. Comes here off a 35-day let-up. At the latest run 3rd of 9 at this track in the G1 Stewards' Cup on January 25 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Romantic Warrior carrying 57kg at $3.90. The start before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.5 len at this track G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile December 14 over 1600m defeating Soul Rush carrying 57kg at $3.60. Clearly the second best horse in this race and looks the main danger.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 20/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Zac Purton | 1:38.09 | - | 8 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 | |
| 3/9 | 25/01/2026 | 42 | G1 OPEN | $2,495,202.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | Zac Purton | 57kg | 1:32.60 | 6-3-3 | 6 |
| 3.5L | $3.90 |
| 6/8 | 09/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | Zac Purton | 1:08.90 | - | 7 |
| 4.25L | $0.00 | |
| 1/14 | 14/12/2025 | 21 | G1 OPEN | $7,086,614.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Zac Purton | 57kg | 1:33.47 | 3-2-1 | 12 |
| 0.5L | $3.60 |
| 2/9 | 23/11/2025 | 35 | G2 OPEN | $1,051,081.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | Zac Purton | 58kg | 2:03.72 | 1-1-2 | 4 |
| 1.5L | $3.20 |
| 12/14 | 19/10/2025 | 147 | G2 OPEN | $1,046,967.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | Matthew Poon | 61kg | 1:32.55 | 5-4-12 | 6 |
| 5.5L | $6.70 |
| 1/10 | 25/05/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN | $2,620,968.00 | Sha Tin | 2400m | Good | James McDonald | 57kg | 2:26.67 | 5-4-1 | 3 |
| 3.5L | $1.80 |
| 2/13 | 27/04/2025 | 63 | G1 OPEN | $4,928,131.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | James McDonald | 57kg | 1:33.21 | 3-2-2 | 10 |
| 0.1L | $1.60 |

Jockey: Brenton Avdulla
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Last start second last of 7 at this track in the G3 Centenary Vase on February 8 over 1800m, 3.5 len behind Numbers carrying 61kg at $11. The run before that 6th of 9 at this track in the G1 Stewards' Cup on January 25 over 1600m, 5 len behind Romantic Warrior with 57kg at $125. Outside chance.
Last Starts 20 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/7 | 08/02/2026 | 14 | G3 OPEN | $767,824.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 61kg | 1:46.36 | 7-5-6 | 1 |
| 3.5L | $11.00 |
| 6/9 | 25/01/2026 | 11 | G1 OPEN | $2,495,202.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | Brenton Avdulla | 57kg | 1:32.60 | 7-7-6 | 3 |
| 5.3L | $125.00 |
| 8/12 | 14/01/2026 | 31 | G3 OPEN | $806,142.00 | Happy Valley | 1800m | Good | Brenton Avdulla | 61kg | 1:48.00 | 11-11-8 | 11 |
| 4.5L | $25.00 |
| 9/9 | 02/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | Brenton Avdulla | 1:10.65 | - | 4 |
| 4L | $0.00 | |
| 8/14 | 14/12/2025 | 21 | G1 OPEN | $7,086,614.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Brenton Avdulla | 57kg | 1:33.47 | 10-13-8 | 4 |
| 4.3L | $69.00 |
| 7/9 | 23/11/2025 | 14 | G2 OPEN | $1,051,081.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | Derek Leung | 56kg | 2:03.72 | 8-7-7 | 9 |
| 5.3L | $43.00 |
| 9/13 | 09/11/2025 | 21 | G3 OPEN | $825,147.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Derek Leung | 61kg | 1:47.35 | 11-6-9 | 9 |
| 4.8L | $17.00 |
| 1/7 | 06/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | Derek Leung | 1:10.71 | - | 4 |
| 1.75L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes here off a 35-day let-up. Last start 4th of 9 at this track in the G1 Stewards' Cup on January 25 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Romantic Warrior with 57kg at $5.90. The race before that 6th of 14 at this track in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile on December 14 over 1600m, 3 len behind Voyage Bubble carrying 57kg at $3.50. Won't be far away as he rises to 2000m again.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/9 | 20/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 1:38.09 | - | 7 |
| 4.75L | $0.00 | |
| 4/9 | 25/01/2026 | 42 | G1 OPEN | $2,495,202.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | Alex Badel | 57kg | 1:32.60 | 2-5-4 | 2 |
| 3.5L | $5.90 |
| 1/8 | 10/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Happy Valley | 1700m | Good | Alex Badel | 1:46.91 | - | 8 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 | |
| 6/14 | 14/12/2025 | 21 | G1 OPEN | $7,086,614.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Luke Ferraris | 57kg | 1:33.47 | 6-7-6 | 2 |
| 3.0L | $3.50 |
| 4/13 | 23/11/2025 | 35 | G2 OPEN | $1,051,081.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | Luke Ferraris | 56kg | 1:32.88 | 4-3-4 | 4 |
| 1.0L | $1.40 |
| 1/14 | 19/10/2025 | 21 | G2 OPEN | $1,046,967.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | Alex Badel | 52kg | 1:32.55 | 3-2-1 | 11 |
| 1.3L | $1.40 |
| 1/14 | 28/09/2025 | 154 | G3 OPEN | $825,147.00 | Sha Tin | 1400m | Good Firm | Luke Ferraris | 59kg | 1:20.79 | 4-4-1 | 4 |
| 1.3L | $2.20 |
| 4/13 | 27/04/2025 | 35 | G1 OPEN | $4,928,131.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Luke Ferraris | 57kg | 1:33.21 | 4-3-4 | 1 |
| 1.0L | $7.00 |

Jockey: Dylan Browne Mcmonagle
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Last start 4th of 7 at this track in the G3 Centenary Vase on February 8 over 1800m, 2.5 len behind Numbers with 56.5kg at $24. The race before that 10th of 12 at Happy Valley in the G3 January Cup on January 14 over 1800m, 6 len behind Speed Dragon with 56kg at $30. Worth including in exotics.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 20/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Dylan Browne Mcmonagle | 1:38.09 | - | 5 |
| 3.5L | $0.00 | |
| 4/7 | 08/02/2026 | 25 | G3 OPEN | $767,824.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Andrea Atzeni | 56.5kg | 1:46.36 | 4-2-4 | 6 |
| 2.5L | $24.00 |
| 5/7 | 29/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | Andrea Atzeni | 1:09.78 | - | 7 |
| 4.5L | $0.00 | |
| 10/12 | 14/01/2026 | 31 | G3 OPEN | $806,142.00 | Happy Valley | 1800m | Good | Andrea Atzeni | 56kg | 1:48.00 | 7-9-10 | 3 |
| 6.0L | $30.00 |
| 9/11 | 14/12/2025 | 21 | G1 OPEN | $5,118,110.00 | Sha Tin | 2400m | Good | Craig Williams | 57kg | 2:28.05 | 3-9-9 | 7 |
| 9.3L | $48.00 |
| 6/9 | 23/11/2025 | 14 | G2 OPEN | $1,051,081.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | Brenton Avdulla | 56kg | 2:03.72 | 5-6-6 | 5 |
| 5.0L | $45.00 |
| 11/13 | 09/11/2025 | 21 | G3 OPEN | $825,147.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Brenton Avdulla | 56.5kg | 1:47.35 | 5-5-11 | 4 |
| 5.3L | $27.00 |
| 13/14 | 19/10/2025 | 119 | G2 OPEN | $1,046,967.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | Andrea Atzeni | 52kg | 1:32.55 | 10-13-13 | 2 |
| 8.0L | $106.00 |

Jockey: H T Mo
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a 35-day let-up. At the latest run came from midfield and won by a nose at this track January 25 over 2000m defeating Prestige Good carrying 58.5kg at $3.60. Before that 5th of 12 at Happy Valley in the G3 January Cup on January 14 over 1800m, 2 len behind Speed Dragon with 52kg at $11. Meets a tough line-up and prefer others.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/9 | 20/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | H T Mo | 1:38.09 | - | 4 |
| 4.25L | $0.00 | |
| 1/10 | 25/01/2026 | 11 | RST95-70 | $598,848.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | H T Mo | 58.5kg | 2:00.83 | 5-2-1 | 1 |
| 0.1L | $3.60 |
| 5/12 | 14/01/2026 | 18 | G3 OPEN | $806,142.00 | Happy Valley | 1800m | Good | H T Mo | 52kg | 1:48.00 | 12-3-5 | 6 |
| 2.0L | $11.00 |
| 2/9 | 27/12/2025 | 34 | RST100-75 | $614,173.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | H T Mo | 52kg | 2:00.94 | 9-9-2 | 9 |
| 1.0L | $3.30 |
| 4/9 | 16/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | H T Mo | 1:10.54 | - | 6 |
| 2.25L | $0.00 | |
| 1/14 | 23/11/2025 | 28 | RST85-60 | $402,750.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | H T Mo | 56kg | 2:01.71 | 8-8-1 | 1 |
| 0.3L | $2.90 |
| 1/13 | 26/10/2025 | 28 | RST80-60 | $401,174.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | H T Mo | 56.5kg | 1:59.77 | 13-13-1 | 11 |
| 0.3L | $4.30 |
| 6/14 | 28/09/2025 | 81 | RST80-60 | $402,750.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | H T Mo | 56.5kg | 1:34.07 | 13-13-6 | 14 |
| 2.8L | $9.40 |