James Orman will look to guide Top Dragon to a strong performance on his first competitive appearance on the Sha Tin dirt when the five-year-old contests the Class 3 Pyramid Hill Handicap over 1,650 metres on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The Top Dragon Sha Tin dirt debut will attract attention as the Chris So-trained gelding prepares to build on his previous performances and encouraging trial form.
Top Dragon, a three-time winner, will enter the contest after securing two Class 2 placings and competing in last season’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series. The son of Pierata, rated 85, finished seventh on his seasonal return on 1 October in a competitive race won by Sky Jewellery ahead of Hot Delight.
His subsequent barrier trial on 16 October will offer further encouragement. Ridden by Orman over 1,200 metres on the dirt, Top Dragon finished fourth in 1 minute 10.69 seconds, showing promise ahead of his first race-day test on the surface.
Orman will consider Top Dragon one of his leading rides on Wednesday and will remain confident that carrying the top weight of 135lb will not prevent the gelding from producing a competitive performance. Barrier one will also give the five-year-old a favourable starting position.
The Australian jockey will arrive at the meeting after recording nine winners during the opening 14 fixtures of the 2026/27 campaign, including two victories for So. Their partnership produced six wins last season, and Orman will hope to add to that tally.
Since making his Hong Kong debut in February 2025, Orman has recorded 54 career victories in the city. He secured his first Hong Kong treble two fixtures ago and will aim to maintain his recent progress as he works towards the milestone of 100 wins.
Top Dragon Sha Tin Dirt Debut Among Wednesday’s Key Rides
Orman will have five rides across Wednesday’s nine-race all-dirt programme, including Raging Warrior in the first section of the Class 4 Shek Uk Shan Handicap over 1,200 metres. The gelding will carry 127lb after producing an encouraging third-place finish on his previous start.
Raging Warrior will have caught attention with his late progress after gaining entry as a reserve runner and starting from an outside barrier. He recorded the fastest final sectional time in the race, covering the closing section in 22.76 seconds.
A better draw in barrier five will provide an advantage, and Orman will hope the gelding can build on that effort with a more favourable starting position.
Apprentice jockey Nichola Yuen will also arrive at Sha Tin in good form after moving into second place in the 2026/27 jockeys’ championship with a double on Sunday, 25 October.
Yuen will have eight rides on Wednesday, including Causeway King for trainer Ricky Yiu in the Class 3 Hebe Hill Handicap over 1,200 metres. The gelding will carry 119lb after winning easily on his previous start, although a rise in class and barrier 11 will present additional challenges.
Yuen will assess the early pace before deciding how best to position Causeway King. If the race develops into a particularly fast contest, she may settle behind the leaders to conserve energy for the closing stages.
Teetan Targets Strong Runs from Pray For Justice and California Bay
Karis Teetan will also feature prominently in the all-dirt programme, with the Mauritian jockey set to partner Pray For Justice in the Pyramid Hill Handicap.
Trained by David Eustace, Pray For Justice will carry 115lb and return to racing after an extended break. Teetan recorded 12 dirt victories last season, finishing second to championship winner Zac Purton in that category.
Teetan will hope the gelding has improved during his time away from racing. His previous performance on the surface and recent morning trackwork will provide encouragement ahead of Wednesday’s assignment.
The jockey will also ride California Bay in the second section of the Class 4 Shek Uk Shan Handicap over 1,200 metres. Trained by Tony Cruz, the gelding will carry 125lb and return to a surface on which he has already recorded a victory.
California Bay will look to build on his recent improvement, while Teetan will hope the return to dirt will give him another opportunity to win.
Meanwhile, 2025/26 Hong Kong Champion Griffin Hot Delight will have completed a barrier trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday, 27 October. The four-time winner tracked the pace before moving to the front under Vincent Ho, recording 1 minute 11.82 seconds.
Wednesday’s nine-race meeting will begin at 6:45 pm local time with the Class 5 Wa Mei Shan Handicap over 1,650 metres. The all-dirt programme will feature several established performers, with Top Dragon’s first competitive appearance on the surface among the main points of interest.
Top Dragon will make his first competitive appearance on the Sha Tin dirt in the Class 3 Pyramid Hill Handicap on Wednesday. James Orman will be confident of a strong performance, with the gelding’s previous form, encouraging trial and inside draw offering reasons for optimism.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.