Tim Carroll

This Sunday sees the opening meeting of the season in the shape of a highly-competitive 10-race card at Sha Tin - all live on Sky Sports Racing from 5.30am.

The feature of the meeting is race 3, the Group 3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup over 6f, which sees the return of the world's best horse in Ka Ying Rising, who will be using the race as a springboard before heading over to Australia to defend his Everest crown.

Now onto this week’s selections…

Race 1: Class 5 Glenealy Handicap (5.30am) (6f)

4 SUNNY Q has won just the once from 18 starts but he was last seen when runner-up over course and trip in June, which has been his only try in the bottom grade.

He was in behind Verbier that day, but he meets that rival on 6lb better terms having been given plenty to do from a high draw, and with Verbier now drawn high having led from stall 1 that day, this race is likely to have a more favourable set-up for the selection.

Dangers:

7 So My Folks has placed just one of nine starts, but a 5lb drop in the handicap sees him contesting the bottom grade for the first time and he looked sharp when fourth in a recent trial.

6 Verbier arrives in good form, winning two back before a solid effort in third last time and with the 3lb claim he is effectively 2lb better off here, but he’s a pace runner that draws high, having drawn in stall 1 in his last two.

5 Rising Elite is yet to place in nine starts but he showed a bit of improvement toward the back end of last season when switched from dirt to turf and he’ll find the waters a tad calmer now that he drops into Class 5 company for the first time.

Race 2: Class 4 Duddell Handicap (6.00am) (5f)

1 LIGHTNESS OF MUSIC has had a few setbacks, which is a shame because he certainly has more than his share of ability, having dotted up in a Class 4 over course and trip on debut in June 2025 with plenty of subsequent winners in behind.

However, he’s only managed four starts since, the first two late last year when well held, but there were signs that he may be on the way back when fourth not beaten far in a couple of Class 3s at the back end of last season. He drops into Class 4 company for the first time since his debut, he looked in good order in a recent trial, and winning rider Zac Purton is back on board.

Dangers:

2 Rapid Phantom opened his account at just the third time of asking when winning over course and trip in June and although he goes up 6lb for that, he had a next start winning back in second that day and he has plenty of upside.

7 Silver Spurs was only tried twice over this trip last season, which is slightly surprising as he’s a quick horse that recorded a win and a third from those two spins, including on his seasonal return, albeit from a much lower mark.

8 Ruby Thrive is a thrice-raced maiden that ran a career best when last seen to finish in third over course and trip a length and a half behind Rapid Phantom who he meets on 6lb better terms.

Race 3: Group 3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (Handicap) (6.30am) (6f)

1 KA YING RISING needs no introduction, and it would be the shock of all shocks if he were to be turned over here. The world’s best horse, who will be heading down to Australia to defend his Everest crown after this has to give away 20lb to all his rivals, however, on he has 33lb-56lb to spar with his rivals and on ratings is pitched in.

He has once again looked super at the trials, and he dotted up in this race last year under the same conditions in what was a stronger renewal. He won’t be a betting proposition but sit back and enjoy the show.

Dangers:

3 Patch Of Stars runs from 15lb out of the handicap and there’s no sensible argument as to why he’d be capable of beating the champ, but he’s a talented type that recorded four wins over this trip last season, he lands here on a three-timer and looks the most likely to grab the silver.

4 Tomodachi Kokoroe, who is a stable companion of Ka Ying Rising, is getting on in years and he has been well held be the selection in the past, but he was in phenomenal form at the start of last season, winning his first three and he’s only 3lb above the last of those on his return.

5 Lucky With You is a veteran 8-year-old that went winless last season, but he mostly contested pattern level and ran with merit in defeat several times including when runner-up when last seen, and although well held in this on his return last year, the selection aside, this year’s renewal isn’t as deep.

Race 4: Class 5 Harcourt Handicap (7.05am) (1m)

1 AMAZING DUCK goes from the top of the handicap, and he doesn’t do a lot of winning, but he drops into Class 5 company for the first time and if wound up for his return, he would give this a decent shake on last season’s form.

Whilst he went winless last campaign, he was placed five-times at a level above this and was luckless on more than one occasion. This will be his first start since a finishing third over course and trip in July, but the last time he made his seasonal return on turf he was placed from a 16lb higher mark.

Dangers:

8 Golden Fortune is an 11-start maiden, but he showed some improvement at the back of last season when runner-up a couple of times and although he’s a 5-year-old, he could have more to offer, but he may want a tad further than this.

3 Soaring Bronco has recorded just two wins from his 34 starts but has found some form since joining Mark Newnham earlier this year, recording a win and three placed efforts from just four outings, and he did win over course and trip from the same mark last season.

7 All Are Mine has recorded just two wins from 30 starts locally but one of those was his most recent when successful over this trip at Happy Valley in June and although he goes up 7lb for that, he did win with some authority that night.

Race 5: Class 4 Edinburgh Handicap (7.55am) (6f)

3 CAVA PIONEER will be the play, but he’s a debutant and so I would like to see some market support. The Dennis Yip-trained four-year-old has plenty of speed in his pedigree, which is something this fellow has displayed at the trials.

Whilst trials need to be treated cautiously, the selection has caught the eye, winning four of his last five and asked few questions not beaten far at his most recent. He does have a tricky draw for his introduction, but there’s pace inside and out which will hopefully see him slot in with some cover.

Dangers:

10 Riding High is a frustrating type with just one-win last season but runner-up on five occasions, however, in fairness, he was beaten a lip last time when meeting trouble and a similar effort from just a 1lb higher mark puts him right in the thick of things here.

1 Island Buddy found form as soon as he joined Brett Crawford, winning his first two for the yard before a few placings and whilst he is paying for that consistency with the handicapper, he should have all the favours from the inside draw.

4 Stunning Bundle was kept safe in the betting when picking up the bronze over course and trip on debut in July and he is in very good hands, but he was awful in a trial last month when beaten a panel, but the trainer is no fool.

Race 6: Class 4 Edinburgh Handicap (8.45am) (6f)

1 SPICY STANDARD goes from the top of the handicap, and he does have a high draw, but he looks a decent chance here if Atzeni can slot him in with some cover early. The selection is a lightly-raced 5-year-old that showed last season he goes well fresh when dotting up over course and trip on his seasonal return, albeit from a 10lb lower mark.

He takes a drop in grade here, and the last time he was seen at this level he was beaten a lip in second off the same mark from a similar draw having endured a tough run planted wide when in behind a rival he was conceding 18lb.

Dangers:

2 Harold Win is a hard knocking 6-year-old and whilst his last win was over a year ago, he was hugely consistent last season, he drops to his lowest mark in nearly two years and he’s a pace runner drawn low.

7 Grouper is a low-mileage maiden that has placed three of five including his last two and with natural progression he should open his account soon enough, although Purton has abandoned ship for his return.

3 Matzden, who won a maiden at his second and final start in New Zealand, has hit the frame just one of nine starts locally, but he drops a further 3lb having been runner-up over course and trip three back from a higher mark and he is the choice of Purton.

Race 7: Class 2 Albert Handicap (9.15am) (7f)

3 WINNING OVATION, who ran midfield in a Coventry Stakes before winning a Salisbury novice for former trainer Michael Bell (when known as Nascimento), didn’t take long to open his local account, winning on just his second start. However, he had a tendon injury after that and so made a late start to last season after a 10-month lay-off.

Despite the lengthy break, he hit the ground running, winning three of his first four before two solid efforts when finishing fifth both times in Group 3 handicaps, one of which when he ran better than the bare margin would suggest. This is a highly competitive contest, but he dives into calmer waters and with a full preseason under his belt and proven first-up, he looks worth a play.

Dangers:

5 Max Que recorded four wins last season which saw his mark shoot up 36lb and he did win first up over course and trip last campaign, but he goes up 4lb having finished runner-up when last seen which sees him 10lb above his last win.

2 Invincible Shield managed just the solitary win last season, but he was competitive several times in similar contests and he should have the gun run from the inside draw.

1 Soleil Fighter is a consistent type and although he goes from the top of the handicap in a highly competitive Class 2, with the 10lb claim he effectively runs from just 1lb higher than his last win under a senior rider and although considered a miler, he’s a pace runner that should enjoy this trip first-up.

Race 8: Class 4 Fenwick Handicap (9.45am) (7f)

6 GRAND PATCH is a low-mileage 4-year-old and although by a sire that mostly produces speedy progeny, this fellow needed every inch of 7f when opening his account when last seen in July.

The Manfred Man inmate was having just his fourth start that day, thus, there should be more to come. The narrow margin success means he only goes up 5lb, but he ran through the line with purpose and although difficult to know exactly where they are at this early in the season, he has been tuned up for this with a recent win at the trials.

Dangers:

1 Joyful Joy defied market expectations when winning over course and trip in May and although he doesn’t beat the winner, he was held up momentarily in the straight when picking up the bronze when last seen, he’s a scopey type in a leading yard.

2 Master Lucky goes up 6lb having won over course and trip when last seen in July and he was successful on debut last season, thus we know he runs well fresh, but he does have a tricky draw to contend with.

8 Solid Car is a 17-start maiden (including three runs in Australia), but he has been placed eight times from up to 15lb higher and whilst he’s a difficult one back for the win, he should be included in exotic bets.

Race 9: Class 3 Cotton Tree Handicap (10.20am) (7f)

6 CIRCUIT CHAMPION is a low-mileage 5-year-old that won back-to-back races over 6f before finishing third at his last two spins when stepped up to this trip, on both occasion he was in behind Aeroinvincible, who he meets on the same terms as last time for a nose margin.

However, he had a slightly messy start in both of those and was given plenty to do before attacking the line with zest on each occasion. He’s a big lump of a horse, weighing at 1,248lb when last seen, those types usually improve for experience, and Purton, who rode him for the very first time when he was last seen in June, sticks solid.

Dangers:

5 Baby Sakura is a progressive type that won three of his six starts during his first season including over course and trip when last seen in June and although he goes up 7lb for that, he arrives having won a recent trial and should have all the favours from the inside draw.

4 Aeroinvincible, who has won three of his last five starts, has finished in front of the selection his last two and he is a pace runner drawn low, and should be factored in once again despite a 2lb nudge in the handicap.

2 The Red Hare was unplaced over the mile when last seen in July, but this is his best trip having recorded two wins over 7f last season, but he is 8lb higher than his most recent success in May.

Race 10: Class 3 Battery Handicap (10.55am) (6f)

12 MASTER PAYMENT is a progressive type with plenty of upside that was placed his first two starts over 5f, unlucky not to win one of those, prior making all when stepped up to 6f when last seen in June.

The selection has been lumped 8lb for that, which sees him moving up in grade and he does have more on his plate at this level. However, he has untapped potential, he carries 14lb less at this level, and he looked in great order when runner-up in a recent trial.

Dangers:

6 Gold Patch bombed when last seen in July, but he’d won three and placed twice from five starts prior that and it would be no surprise if he were to bounce back having won a recent trial with the selection in second.

1 Public Attention, who was a twice winner in Australia to Group 3 level, is yet to break his local duck in eight starts, but he shaped with promise several times, he takes a drop in grade on his return, and he has been tuned up for this finishing runner-up to Ka Ying Rising, albeit well held, in a recent trial.

7 Lucky In The Sky had a light campaign last season after a setback and didn’t achieve a great deal, but he has run well fresh in the past, the handicapper drops him 4lb, he’s an on-the-pace runner drawn the inside and was runner-up in a recent trial.

SUNDAY’S TRICAST

Race 10 - Class 3 Battery Handicap (10.55am):

1st - 12

2nd - 1 - 6 - 7

3rd - THE FIELD