Free betting tips for Sha Tin | The Hong Kong File

To bet on Hong Kong racing via Betfair's Tote click here

Bentley in fast lane as Shum strikes back

When Harry met Danny was the feature showing at Happy Valley on Wednesday as Helene Feeling crowned a great night for Bentley and Shum with a thrilling January Cup success.

HK’s sole British rider has hit the ground running in 2025 and earned a percentage on around £240,000 as the former Epsom and Donny winner (when known as Indian Dream for Michael Bell) battled home just ahead of 2024 Cup winner Happy Together.

Meanwhile, Shum continued a dramatic week by dominating the programme, surging past Pierre Ng to the top of the trainers’ table with a memorable four timer just 24 hours after being hit with a £30,000 fine for passing on privileged information about three of his horses.

Helene Feeling found only one too good when chasing home Helios Express in last year’s Classic Mile and the latest pieces of the 2025 Four-Year-Old Series puzzle will fall into place at Sha Tin this Sunday when a host of promising youngsters try to polish their reputations.

Can Packing Hermod enhance his Classic claims?

Yes he can – and he doesn’t have to win the featured Racing Club Cup at 8.05 to do so.

Francis Lui’s gelding has vaulted from a mark of 52 to 93 with four wins from five starts and he battled on willingly under Joao Moreira to win a strong finale on HKIR day.

But Rubylot is 5lb better off after charging home to be beaten a neck; Young Champion is 7lb better after a messy run in fifth and has been punted overnight; the 2023 Gimcrack runner-up Johannes Brahms is on the up after a likeable Class 3 success.

And, although this is a tough assignment, don’t be surprised if one of the older brigade makes a significant mark in this £290,000 contest.

SUNLIGHT POWER is more exposed than some but he’s battle hardened from a series of fine efforts at this level and, with several front runners set to open the door for closers, Ricky Yiu’s gelding can get into the money here.

Is Mickley worth another chance?

Yes he is – but last year’s Britannia winner concedes weight to several dangerous fellow Classic Mile possibles in the Pak Shek Au Handicap at 9.10.

Mickley has clearly adapted well to life with John Size – as he showed when surging up the inner to score off 76 under Hugh Bowman last month – but his latest run off 83 on New Year’s Day was a complete write-off as he suffered a ton of traffic trouble.

Better luck will make him a danger to all under top weight in what should be a truly-run race but conceding 10lb and 11lb to the progressive Markwin and Steps Ahead won’t be easy.

Steps Ahead continued his progress with a close second on his mile debut in the race Mickley got snagged up in, while Markwin steps up to this trip for the first time having improved with all his five runs over 1400m.

In short, this is wide open. Mickley is a strong Classic Mile hope if he can defy the weight but Markwin looked a bit unlucky here recently – quickening well only to wander close home – and still looks fairly treated after a 2lb rise.

Purton set to keep on the Sunny side

It will be surprising if Zac Purton doesn’t ring the bell at least once as he continues his relentless march towards Douglas Whyte’s record of 1,813 HK winners on Sunday and Sunny Da Best, Must Go and Masterofmyuniverse are all key players in their respective races.

True, significant pros must be weighed against the odd nagging con with all this trio.

SUNNY DA BEST hasn’t been reliable but he looked very unlucky with Purton back aboard on his latest start – coming home strongly after being caught in a pocket for much of the straight – and Chris So’s gelding looks one of the bets of the day from a 2lb higher mark in the 6.30.

I doubt the canny Zac would have chosen stall 12 for MUST GO in the 7.35 but a wide gate isn’t a killer in AW sprints and this gelding looks well treated having been raised 2lb for failing by a head to reel in the useful Full Credit in a warm race here over Christmas.

Across the Universe

And then we come to the artist known as MASTEROFYMYUNIVERSE.

By Havana Gold out of the useful Millman sprinter Gladiatrix, this gelding looked a bit of a trickster when carrying his head high and edging right as he asserted in Class 4 company last time.

It was a performance that made you wonder what might happen if it comes down to a scrap but the clock adds another useful layer of info here.

Masterofmyuniverse followed a 22.15s middle split with a 22.3s closer (the fastest of the day) while scoring at the third attempt two weeks ago. Tricky he may be - but that sort of acceleration suggests he could be a cut above the average 65-rated handicapper.

Rising and Bubble ready to roll

Barrier trials are just one small piece of the HK racing puzzle but they do help whet the appetite for big races ahead and Ka Ying Rising and Voyage Bubble limbered up for next week’s G1 tests in style at Sha Tin on Thursday.

HK Sprint winner Ka Ying Rising made all and reeled off a rapid 22s closer ahead of his date as hot favourite for the Centenary Sprint Cup, while HK Mile hero Voyage Bubble will be a warm order for the Stewards’ Cup after drawing well clear of smart rivals in second.

Victor The Winner has regressed since springing a surprise for Danny Shum in last year’s Centenary Sprint but the fiery Toronado gelding has had a change of scenery and looks set to debut for David Eustace next weekend after stretching clear in a Friday turf trial at Happy Valley.

Sunday’s Sha Tin Selections

• 6.30: Sunny Da Best
• 7.35: Must Go
• 8.05: Sunlight Power (EW)
• 8.35: Masterofmyuniverse

To bet on Hong Kong racing via Betfair's Tote click here

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.