Brett Crawford’s remarkable first season in Hong Kong could receive another timely boost on Saturday as the consistent Speedy Smartie bids to round off his campaign on a high in the Class 4 Chan Trophy Handicap at Sha Tin. After producing a runner-up finish on the opening day of the 2025/26 season, the dependable gelding now heads into his final appearance of the term with an impressive record of consistency behind him.
Sha Tin race preview.
Few horses have been as reliable throughout the Hong Kong season as Speedy Smartie. The six-year-old has raced 11 times since the campaign began, finishing outside the placings only once while collecting three victories, six runner-up finishes, a third and a fourth. Those performances have earned connections nearly HK$3.2 million in prize money and lifted his official rating by 27 points to 60.
Much of that success has come under jockey Karis Teetan, who has partnered the gelding in all but one of those starts. Teetan credited Crawford’s careful management for keeping the horse fresh despite a demanding campaign.
Speedy Smartie heads into the Sha Tin race preview in excellent condition after being given sufficient recovery time between races, according to Teetan.
“He’s a horse that’s performed really well throughout the whole season,” Teetan said. “Brett has maintained his condition and looked after him.
“As many runs as he’s had, he gave him a little break in between each one, and I think going towards this run, the horse is in good shape and he’s freshened up nicely, so I’m looking forward to riding him.”
The son of Satono Aladdin will once again shoulder the top weight of 135lb when he starts from barrier 10 in the 1200-metre Chan Trophy Handicap. Although the task is not straightforward, Teetan believes Speedy Smartie has the versatility and strength to remain highly competitive and could prove even more effective in Class 3 next season with a lighter weight.
“He’s gone to the races and always tried his best, so let’s hope he goes to his final race this season and gives us his best performance again,” Teetan said.
“He’s a very versatile horse. If you can get the right run from the draw, I’m sure he’s going to be very competitive.
“I still believe that if he goes up in class and with a light weight, it would suit him even better. But he’s a big horse; he can handle the big weight. He’s handled it in the past.”
Another major talking point in this Sha Tin race preview is the return of exciting juvenile Jedi Spurs, who made an immediate impression when winning his debut by four and a half lengths last month.
Prepared by David Hayes, the promising two-year-old now steps up to 1200 metres in the Purves Quaich Plate for Griffins after his dominant success over 1000 metres. Brenton Avdulla retains the ride from barrier one as connections look to build on an eye-catching first outing.
Hayes admitted he had expected a bold debut but was still impressed by the authority of the youngster’s victory and the time he produced.
“He ran fast time, and won by many lengths, and I think he’s improved – he’s a very promising young horse,” Hayes said.
“I was hoping he could do that on debut and he did. Now he’s got the question of 1200 metres. But I actually think he’ll like the bend. He’s shown me that in trackwork, he accelerates very well off the bend.”
The trainer believes Jedi Spurs could become one of the stable’s leading prospects for the 2026/27 season, particularly with Hong Kong Horse of the Year nominee Ka Ying Rising already preparing for another international campaign later in the year.
“I was impressed by his overall time. He broke 56 seconds for 1000 metres; that’s rare here,” Hayes added.
“So if he can repeat and run time again this weekend, if conditions are normal, we’ve got something to look forward to for next season.”
Saturday’s Sha Tin programme features 11 races, with the opening event, the Purves Quaich Plate for Griffins over 1200 metres, scheduled to begin at 4pm local time. The meeting brings together experienced campaigners seeking to finish the season strongly alongside emerging young talent aiming to make an early statement before the new campaign begins.
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