The imminent opening to a season is always filled with a great sense of excitement and, as the 2026/27 season rapidly approaches, a tremendous sense of anticipation has enveloped Hong Kong’s racing community.
After farewelling one of the most remarkable chapters in the history of Hong Kong racing with a string of record-breaking achievements in the 2025/26 season, we are now only eight days away from the official start of the new season on Sunday (6 September) and there is an unmistakably positive vibe in the city ahead of the resumption of our world-class racing.
With 88 meetings scheduled – including our international flagship meetings, LONGINES Hong Kong International Races and FWD Champions Day, as well as the 150th running of the Hong Kong Derby – there is so much to look forward to.
This Sunday (30 August) heralds the return of the beloved Pre-season Carnival at Sha Tin Racecourse and the appearance of KA YING RISING in a 1000m barrier trial.
Owners, trainers and jockeys will participate in the day, when Hong Kong’s racing is celebrated in upbeat and lively fashion with fantastic entertainment, wonderful food, pony rides for the children and the chance to watch our world-class jockeys vie for glory in the Jockeys’ Sprint.
If there is even the flimsiest doubt about the fierce competitiveness of our jockeys, the Jockeys’ Sprint certainly proves otherwise and I look forward to seeing if Derek Leung and James Orman can defend their crown after narrowly defeating Brenton Avdulla and Ellis Wong and Jerry Chau and Hugh Bowman last year.
KA YING RISING headlines the opening barrier trial under Zac Purton for David Hayes as the world’s premier sprinter continues preparations for the HK$4.2 million G3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) on Sunday week, when he attempts to extend his 20-race winning streak.
David used the Pre-season Carnival Day barrier trial last year to launch KA YING RISING’s second unbeaten season in a row with five Group 1 victories, including historic triumph in the G1 The Everest (1200m) – the world’s richest turf race – at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.
Judging by his barrier trial victory on dirt last week, KA YING RISING is progressing smoothly and I look forward to watching this amazing champion’s season unfold.
Our attention turns to Australia today (29 August) for Memsie Stakes Day with the first of eight races scheduled for 11.10am (Hong Kong Time). The feature race is the G1 Memsie Stakes, which is carded as S1-6 and will be run over 1400m at 2.10pm.
Nine of the 12 runners engaged have already won at Group 1 level with veteran MR BRIGHTSIDE boasting 10 wins and 12 minor placings from 30 Group 1 starts. He resumes today for Craig Williams and, with six wins and three placings at this course and distance, he is a strong place chance.
COSMIC CRUSADER (William Pike) excels at 1400m, having easily won the G2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes over this course and distance on 15 August. While this is harder, especially from an awkward barrier of gate 11, he is a win and place chance.
JIMMYSSTAR (Ethan Brown) has an outstanding track and distance record three wins from four attempts, while he is also proven when resuming with five wins and a second when first-up. He is also a win and place chance.
Chris Waller has a strong hand in the race with five runners with BEIWACHT, AUTUMN BOY, ANGEL CAPITAL, BIRDMAN and BUCKAROO. His leading hopes appear to be four-year-olds BEIWACHT (Nash Rawiller) and AUTUMN BOY (James McDonald), who are both strong place chances.
ANGEL CAPITAL (Ben Melham) is one of the few horses in the race not to have won yet at Group 1 but he finished solidly for sixth behind KA YING RISING in The Everest last year and should not be under-estimated.
Source: Hong Kong Jockey Club