Sha Tin will stage an 11-race National Day Raceday on Thursday, October 1, with Hot Delight Sha Tin action set to feature prominently alongside promising youngsters and established performers. Racing will begin at 1pm, with the programme including the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Beijing Handicap over 1400 metres and the HK$4.2 million G3 National Day Cup Handicap over 1000 metres.
Hot Delight will return to competition in the Beijing Handicap after an impressive first season that will have seen him crowned Hong Kong Champion Griffin for 2025/26. Trained by Francis Lui, the four-year-old will again be ridden by Vincent Ho and will carry 128lb from barrier nine.
The 89-rated galloper will step up to 1400 metres for the first time. His current rating will also place him in a strong position to secure a start in the 2027 Hong Kong Classic Mile, the opening leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series scheduled for January 31 at Sha Tin.
Hot Delight will have already shown considerable promise after winning his first three races comfortably before finishing behind the leading contenders on his first Class 2 appearance. He will then return to winning form in that grade in June, ending his debut season 37 rating points higher than his starting mark.
Vincent Ho will expect the youngster to benefit from the step up in distance as he continues to build fitness early in the new campaign. Hot Delight will have a recent jump-out at Sha Tin on September 28 behind him, which will provide further preparation for Thursday’s assignment.
Hot Delight will race in the yellow and red silks of owner Peter Law, the same colours carried by Grand Delight, who was named Hong Kong Horse of the Year for the 2002/03 season.
The Beijing Handicap will attract a competitive field, with Sky Jewellery set to carry 134lb and Chill Easy 126lb. Top Dragon and Victory Sky will carry 125lb each, while Beauty Bolt and Emblazon will carry 124lb apiece. Bravefield and Infinite Resolve will race at 123lb, with Regal Gem on 123lb, Drombeg Banner on 121lb and Public Attention on 120lb.
Bravefield will also attract attention on his Hong Kong debut. The South American Group 1 winner will have the opportunity to earn additional bonuses for his connections if successful, with the race carrying HK$1.59 million for first place. He will also become the first horse to run for a Premier Series Bonus, a scheme designed to reward high-rating imports.
Hot Delight Sha Tin Action Alongside Jedi Spurs
Jedi Spurs will provide another point of interest on the National Day programme when the three-year-old lines up in the Class 4 Hangzhou Handicap over 1000 metres.
The Cosmic Force gelding will return after showing considerable promise as a two-year-old. He will have won his debut by four and a half lengths in June before finishing second in his next start. He will have returned with mucus following that effort, but his subsequent preparation will include a strong trial victory at Happy Valley on September 19.
Jedi Spurs will have covered 1000 metres in 57.66 seconds during that trial, winning by four lengths. Trainer David Hayes will look to that performance as an indication of the gelding’s progress ahead of his return to racing.
Brenton Avdulla will take the ride on Jedi Spurs and will also partner Raging Blizzard in the National Day Cup. The Australian rider will have to guide Jedi Spurs against older horses while carrying 135lb, making Thursday’s contest an important test of the youngster’s development.
Raging Blizzard will bring established form into the HK$4.2 million G3 National Day Cup Handicap over 1000 metres. Trained by John Size, the Group 1-placed performer will carry the top weight of 135lb after finishing second in last year’s renewal behind Fast Network.
The National Day Cup field will include Crimson Flash at 125lb, Beauty Waves at 124lb and Colourful King at 123lb. Tomodachi Kokoroe will carry 122lb, while Bottomuptogether will race at 120lb. Magic Control and Johannes Brahms will carry the lightest weights at 115lb each.
Raging Blizzard will return to the straight 1000-metre course, where he will already have shown his ability in the corresponding race last year. His preparation will have been aimed at producing another solid performance, although the top weight will provide an additional challenge.
The National Day Raceday will open with the Class 5 Nanning Handicap over 1200 metres at 1pm. The 11-race programme will provide a broad mix of contests across the Sha Tin card, with Hot Delight, Jedi Spurs and Raging Blizzard among the horses attracting particular attention.
Entry to the public enclosures at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourse will be free.
Hot Delight Sha Tin action will headline the National Day Raceday alongside Jedi Spurs and Raging Blizzard in three notable contests.
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