The Sha Tin racecourse is set to buzz with excitement as it hosts one of the most anticipated events of the racing season, the Chinese New Year Raceday on Friday, 31 January. Known for drawing a massive crowd celebrating the Lunar New Year, this day will feature the HK$2.84 million Chinese New Year Cup Handicap.
The star attraction, HEALTHY HAPPY , trained by Frankie Lor, has garnered significant attention. This Group 3 winner, carrying 135lbs, has shown remarkable form, particularly at his favored distance of 1400m. In his rookie season as a four-year-old, HEALTHY HAPPY won the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), and further solidified his reputation by securing victories in the G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup and the G3 Celebration Cup at 1400m in subsequent years.
Lor has tailored the horse’s campaign towards this race, stating, “1200m is too short but a mile is a bit long for him,” making the Chinese New Year Cup the ideal target. However, the weight assigned to HEALTHY HAPPY is a concern, leading Lor to pair him with apprentice jockey Ellis Wong, whose seven-pound claim will help. To prepare for this new partnership, Wong is scheduled to ride Healthy Happy in trackwork on Tuesday, 28 January.
After a season where victories were elusive following his last Group 3 win, HEALTHY HAPPY made a strong comeback in September, finishing third behind THE GOLDEN SCENERY. Lor is confident, expressing, “He always runs well fresh. But on his current rating, he should be very competitive, and I am pleased with his condition now. If he can race comfortably in the front, he should be there and thereabout.”
The Chinese New Year Raceday encompasses more than just the Cup, with an 11-race card starting at 12:30 pm. It includes the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), the first leg of the 2025 Four-Year-Old Classic Series, and the G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m), where Ricky Yiu’s STRAIGHT ARRON will carry top weight.
Betting enthusiasts have much to look forward to, with the TRIPLE TRIO’s estimated dividend for a single HK$10 winning unit potentially reaching HK$18 million, and a HK$2.8 million jackpot added to the Quartet & First 4 Merged Pool. This day promises not only competitive racing but also a celebration of the Lunar New Year, blending the thrill of horse racing with the cultural festivities of the season, making it a memorable highlight of the Hong Kong racing calendar.
