Sha Tin Race 8 - The Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (G1)
One of the best horses in the world ROMANTIC WARRIOR (1) steps out to 2400m for just the second time after being knocked over in this race back in 2023. He did dip in his ratings there, but he's a better horse now. Has to be close to his best to claim Hong Kong's triple crown as DEEP MONSTER (2) is no slouch. He turned in a strong figure winning the Kyoto Daishoten three back and again when winning in Qatar most recently. Moreira hops on board from a good draw and he looks the most likely to cause an upset. ROUSHAM PARK (4) is 0/2 when tackling ROMANTIC WARRIOR, though both of those efforts were over 2000m. He's better suited over this trip though and he won't be far away. CAP FERRAT (3) goes straight to 2400m after a bold run in the Champions Mile 28 days ago. He has placed at this trip previously however and is not to be discounted.

Jockey: James McDonald
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
On a five run winning streak. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.0 len at this track G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup April 26 over 2000m defeating Masquerade Ball with 57kg at $1.30. The race before that favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; scored a big 4 len win at this track G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup March 1 over 2000m defeating Ensued carrying 57kg. 2400m is the query, but he's clearly the one to beat.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 26/04/2026 | 56 | G1 OPEN | $5,347,594.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | James McDonald | 57kg | 2:00.64 | 4-4-1 | 5 |
| 1.0L | $1.30 |
| 2/10 | 14/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 1:36.10 | - | 10 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 | |
| 1/7 | 26/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 1:10.70 | - | 6 |
| 1L | $0.00 | |
| 1/6 | 01/03/2026 | 35 | G1 OPEN | $2,333,932.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | James McDonald | 57kg | 1:59.77 | 3-3-1 | 4 |
| 4.0L | $1.00 |
| 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 | 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 |

Jockey: Joao Moreira
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation won by a neck at Al Rayyan QAG1 February 14 over 2400m defeating Goliath with 58kg. When resuming last campaign came from midfield; 4th of 15 at Kyoto in LR on November 16 2024 over 2000m, 7 len behind Desierto with 58.5kg at $6.70. Will force Romantic Warrior to be on his game and is poised to strike if he's not.
Last Starts 98 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 14/02/2026 | 76 | QAG1 OPEN 4U | $3,566,334.00 | Doha | 2400m | Good | Tom Marquand | 58kg | 2:26.43 | - | 1 |
| 0.3L | $1.00 |
| 11/17 | 30/11/2025 | 56 | G1 OPEN 3U | $9,527,780.00 | Tokyo | 2400m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 58kg | 2:20.30 | 8-6-11 | 4 |
| 12.3L | $72.40 |
| 1/18 | 05/10/2025 | 35 | G2 OPEN 3U | $1,347,690.00 | Kyoto | 2400m | Good | S Hamanaka | 57kg | 2:23.90 | 6-7-1 | 3 |
| 0.5L | $11.30 |
| 3/16 | 31/08/2025 | 42 | G3 OPEN 3U | $856,210.00 | Niigata | 2000m | Good | Akira Sugawara | 57kg | 1:58.00 | - | 9 |
| 1.0L | $22.80 |
| 3/16 | 20/07/2025 | 49 | G3 OPEN 3U | $875,640.00 | Kokura | 2000m | Good | Yuichi Kitamura | 58kg | 1:59.90 | 6-7-3 | 16 |
| 2.8L | $5.80 |
| 4/18 | 01/06/2025 | 22 | G2 OPEN 4U | $1,189,550.00 | Tokyo | 2500m | Good | Kohei Matsuyama | 58kg | 2:32.90 | 15-15-4 | 11 |
| 3.4L | $49.10 |

Jockey: Craig Williams
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 7th of 14 at this track in the G2 Chairman's Trophy on April 6 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Lucky Sweynesse with 56kg at $34. Last start took up a position near the tail 2nd of 14 at this track in the G1 Champions Mile on April 26 over 1600m, neck behind My Wish with 57kg at $37. Right up in trip is the query but he's shown enough to suggest he's in the mix.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/14 | 26/04/2026 | 20 | G1 OPEN | $4,278,075.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | Craig Williams | 57kg | 1:32.37 | 13-13-2 | 14 |
| 0.3L | $37.00 |
| 7/14 | 06/04/2026 | 148 | G2 OPEN | $994,424.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Alex Badel | 56kg | 1:33.65 | 9-13-7 | 5 |
| 3.5L | $34.00 |
| 5/7 | 26/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | Vincent Ho | 1:10.70 | - | 1 |
| 5.25L | $0.00 | |
| 10/10 | 10/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | Vincent Ho | 1:10.03 | - | 5 |
| 8.25L | $0.00 | |
| 0/13 | 09/11/2025 | 21 | G3 OPEN | $825,147.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Zac Purton | 57.5kg | 1:47.35 | 3-13-PU | 12 |
| 99.0L | $3.90 |
| 8/14 | 19/10/2025 | 119 | G2 OPEN | $1,046,967.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good Firm | M Yeung | 52kg | 1:32.55 | 7-10-8 | 3 |
| 4.3L | $19.00 |
| 2/14 | 22/06/2025 | 28 | G3 OPEN | $833,333.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 57kg | 1:46.91 | 8-6-2 | 9 |
| 1.3L | $8.50 |
| 3/10 | 25/05/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN | $2,620,968.00 | Sha Tin | 2400m | Good | Craig Williams | 57kg | 2:26.67 | 3-5-3 | 7 |
| 4.0L | $15.00 |

Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Second run back. Comes off a 57-day let-up. First-up after three months 3rd of 15 at Nakayama in the G2 Nikkei Sho on March 28 over 2500m, 1.75 len behind My Universe carrying 57.0kg at $6.20. Previously second-up got back early 5th of 7 at this track in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup on December 14 over 2000m, 6 len behind Romantic Warrior carrying 57kg at $43. Won't be far away.
Last Starts 56 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/15 | 28/03/2026 | 104 | G2 OPEN 4U | $1,164,560.00 | Nakayama | 2500m | Good | Christophe Lemaire | 57kg | 2:30.70 | 10-6-3 | 14 |
| 1.8L | $6.20 |
| 5/7 | 14/12/2025 | 35 | G1 OPEN | $7,874,016.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | Christophe Lemaire | 57kg | 2:02.29 | 7-6-5 | 3 |
| 5.8L | $43.00 |
| 12/18 | 09/11/2025 | 147 | G2 OPEN 3U | $1,092,460.00 | Tokyo | 2500m | Good | Alexis Pouchin | 59.5kg | 2:30.20 | 6-6-12 | 3 |
| 3.5L | $11.40 |
| 15/17 | 15/06/2025 | 64 | G1 OPEN 3U | $6,211,900.00 | Hanshin | 2200m | Good | Yuji Hishida | 58kg | 2:11.10 | 9-10-15 | 3 |
| 16.1L | $28.00 |
| 6/13 | 12/04/2025 | 111 | G1 OPEN 3U | $5,000,000.00 | Randwick | 2000m | Good 4 | Christophe Lemaire | 59kg | 2:00.41 | 10-9-6 | 10 |
| 4.8L | $9.00 |
| 7/15 | 22/12/2024 | 50 | G1 OPEN 3U | $9,853,810.00 | Nakayama | 2500m | Good | Tom Marquand | 58kg | 2:31.80 | 12-8-7 | 6 |
| 3.2L | $17.20 |

Jockey: Derek Leung
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Last start did the work up front then tired second last of 8 at this track in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup on April 26 over 2000m, 5.5 len behind Romantic Warrior with 57kg at $23. The run before that set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 14 at this track Hong Kong Derby on March 22 over 2000m, 1.3 len behind Invincible Ibis with 57kg at $5.30. Looks one of the main pace influences.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/8 | 26/04/2026 | 35 | G1 OPEN | $5,347,594.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | Derek Leung | 57kg | 2:00.64 | 1-1-7 | 4 |
| 5.5L | $23.00 |
| 1/10 | 14/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Derek Leung | 1:36.10 | - | 6 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 | |
| 2/14 | 22/03/2026 | 21 | OPEN 4 | $4,667,864.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | Derek Leung | 57kg | 1:59.43 | 1-1-2 | 13 |
| 1.3L | $5.30 |
| 4/14 | 01/03/2026 | 21 | OPEN 4 | $2,333,932.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Derek Leung | 57kg | 1:46.62 | 7-1-4 | 11 |
| 1.5L | $3.80 |
| 1/7 | 08/02/2026 | 43 | G3 OPEN | $767,824.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Derek Leung | 53kg | 1:46.36 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 2.0L | $1.70 |
| 1/8 | 20/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Derek Leung | 1:36.91 | - | 5 |
| 1.75L | $0.00 | |
| 1/9 | 27/12/2025 | 17 | RST100-75 | $614,173.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | Derek Leung | 54kg | 2:00.94 | 1-1-1 | 4 |
| 1.0L | $6.00 |
| 3/12 | 10/12/2025 | 186 | RST100-80 | $614,173.00 | Happy Valley | 1800m | Good | Derek Leung | 55.5kg | 1:49.11 | 1-1-3 | 2 |
| 1.3L | $14.00 |

Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes here off a 35-day let-up. Most recently 2nd of 14 at this track on April 19 over 1800m, 0.5 len behind Nautical Force carrying 53kg at $14. Before that made ground from midfield; 3rd of 10 at this track on March 8 over 1800m, 1.5 len behind Stunning Peach with 53.5kg at $30. Not keen on his chances.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/7 | 15/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Conghua | 1400m | Good | Jerry Chau | 1:25.20 | - | 6 |
| 3.25L | $0.00 | |
| 2/14 | 19/04/2026 | 42 | RST100-75 | $579,926.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good Firm | Andrea Atzeni | 53kg | 1:46.37 | 10-10-2 | 2 |
| 0.5L | $14.00 |
| 2/4 | 10/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Conghua | 1600m | Good | Jerry Chau | 1:40.60 | - | 2 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 | |
| 3/10 | 08/03/2026 | 42 | RST100-70 | $560,144.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good | Andrea Atzeni | 53.5kg | 1:46.31 | 6-8-3 | 5 |
| 1.5L | $30.00 |
| 7/10 | 25/01/2026 | 29 | RST95-70 | $598,848.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | Maxime Guyon | 59.5kg | 2:00.83 | 6-9-7 | 8 |
| 6.5L | $18.00 |
| 7/9 | 27/12/2025 | 13 | RST100-75 | $614,173.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | Luke Ferraris | 55.5kg | 2:00.94 | 6-7-7 | 3 |
| 3.8L | $6.20 |
| 8/11 | 14/12/2025 | 21 | G1 OPEN | $5,118,110.00 | Sha Tin | 2400m | Good | Luke Ferraris | 57kg | 2:28.05 | 10-11-8 | 11 |
| 9.3L | $42.00 |
| 3/9 | 23/11/2025 | 154 | G2 OPEN | $1,051,081.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | Luke Ferraris | 56kg | 2:03.72 | 6-5-3 | 3 |
| 3.3L | $57.00 |

Jockey: H T Mo
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Last start 3rd of 7 at this track in the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup on May 3 over 2400m, 1.75 len behind Romantic Thor carrying 61kg at $9. The race before that eased back early on 8th of 14 at this track on April 19 over 1800m, 2.25 len behind Nautical Force carrying 58.5kg at $11. Not here.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/7 | 03/05/2026 | 14 | G3 OPEN | $748,663.00 | Sha Tin | 2400m | Y | H T Mo | 61kg | 2:30.76 | 6-6-3 | 5 |
| 1.8L | $9.00 |
| 8/14 | 19/04/2026 | 49 | RST100-75 | $579,926.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good Firm | H T Mo | 58.5kg | 1:46.37 | 14-14-8 | 11 |
| 2.3L | $11.00 |
| 6/8 | 09/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | H T Mo | 1:09.45 | - | 6 |
| 10L | $0.00 | |
| 5/6 | 26/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | Good | H T Mo | 1:10.04 | - | 4 |
| 2L | $0.00 | |
| 3/6 | 01/03/2026 | 35 | G1 OPEN | $2,333,932.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | H T Mo | 57kg | 1:59.77 | 5-5-3 | 3 |
| 5.3L | $23.00 |
| 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 |

Jockey: Alex Badel
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Recent form sound. Most recently held ground to the line 2nd of 7 at this track in the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup on May 3 over 2400m, 0.5 len behind Romantic Thor with 58.5kg at $3.50. Before that 4th of 14 at this track on April 19 over 1800m, 1.75 len behind Nautical Force with 56.5kg at $7.80. Near miss last start. Looking to others.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/7 | 03/05/2026 | 14 | G3 OPEN | $748,663.00 | Sha Tin | 2400m | Y | Hugh Bowman | 58.5kg | 2:30.76 | 3-2-2 | 1 |
| 0.5L | $3.50 |
| 4/14 | 19/04/2026 | 49 | RST100-75 | $579,926.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good Firm | Hugh Bowman | 56.5kg | 1:46.37 | 11-13-4 | 5 |
| 1.8L | $7.80 |
| 2/5 | 02/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Conghua Aw | 1200m | Good | Matthew Kellady | 1:10.67 | - | 1 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | |
| 9/9 | 16/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Conghua | 1200m | Good | Angus Chung | 1:11.67 | - | 2 |
| 4.5L | $0.00 | |
| 1/14 | 01/03/2026 | 10 | RST85-60 | $368,043.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 61kg | 2:00.93 | 9-7-1 | 7 |
| 0.3L | $11.00 |
| 1/14 | 19/02/2026 | 25 | RST85-60 | $374,771.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | Hugh Bowman | 61kg | 2:00.96 | 4-4-1 | 6 |
| 0.1L | $6.70 |
| 3/10 | 25/01/2026 | 29 | RST95-70 | $598,848.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good Firm | Matthew Chadwick | 56kg | 2:00.83 | 4-5-3 | 4 |
| 0.8L | $6.30 |
| 3/9 | 27/12/2025 | 13 | RST100-75 | $614,173.00 | Sha Tin | 2000m | Good | Matthew Chadwick | 52kg | 2:00.94 | 7-6-3 | 6 |
| 1.3L | $10.00 |

Jockey: Zac Purton
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Recent form sound. At the latest run won by 0.5 len at this track G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup May 3 over 2400m defeating Gentlemen Legacy with 52.5kg at $5.40. The run before that 4th of 14 at Sha Tin All Weather on April 1 over 1650m, 0.8 len behind Loch Tay carrying 54.5kg at $8.40. Won the lead up and is not to be discounted with Purton on board.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 03/05/2026 | 32 | G3 OPEN | $748,663.00 | Sha Tin | 2400m | Y | Matthew Poon | 52.5kg | 2:30.76 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 0.5L | $5.40 |
| 4/14 | 01/04/2026 | 17 | RST85-60 | $381,041.00 | Sha Tin | 1650m | Good | Karis Teetan | 54.5kg | 1:37.90 | 4-3-4 | 13 |
| 0.8L | $8.40 |
| 2/12 | 15/03/2026 | 29 | RST85-60 | $368,043.00 | Sha Tin | 1650m | Good | Zac Purton | 54.5kg | 1:38.49 | 3-3-2 | 2 |
| 0.1L | $2.70 |
| 6/8 | 03/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1200m | WS | Zac Purton | 1:12.41 | - | 6 |
| 3.5L | $0.00 | |
| 3/14 | 14/02/2026 | 17 | RST85-60 | $374,771.00 | Sha Tin | 1650m | Good | Zac Purton | 55.5kg | 1:37.77 | 2-3-3 | 8 |
| 1.0L | $5.90 |
| 6/12 | 28/01/2026 | 17 | RST85-60 | $374,771.00 | Happy Valley | 1800m | Good Firm | Luke Ferraris | 56.5kg | 1:47.79 | 5-5-6 | 11 |
| 4.5L | $16.00 |
| 9/14 | 11/01/2026 | 19 | RST85-60 | $393,474.00 | Sha Tin | 1800m | Good Firm | Luke Ferraris | 56kg | 1:46.42 | 3-3-9 | 12 |
| 5.3L | $42.00 |
| 3/8 | 14/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Sha Tin | 1600m | Good | Karis Teetan | 1:35.62 | - | 6 |
| 3.5L | $0.00 |