Sha Tin 14 Dec 2025
GOING: G
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THE LONGINES HONG KONG CUP 2000m Track: GOOD |
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Galen, Quisisana and Romantic Warrior to vie for early honours at a solid tempo. ROMANTIC WARRIOR (1) looks set to pick up his fourth Hong Kong Cup in a row after a barnstorming win in the G2 Jockey Club Cup in 21 days ago. He maps perfectly under J-Mac from an inside draw and he returned as good as ever. Can improve on that effort here and is clearly the one to beat. BELLAGIO OPERA (2) looks the only one who may be able to challenge Hong Kong's champ, finishing 3L away in the Takarazuka Kinen most recently when favourite. He should be on the pace from barrier five and has turned in figures right up to what Warrior can produced. Needs to do it in HK now but you can make a case for him. QUISISANA (7) never featured in the Arc but was solid behind Kalpana at Ascot most recently. Soumillon hops back on board, though she'd have to improve to trouble the top two. STRAIGHT ARRON (5) can add some local flavour into the exotics.
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| 1 | 122x1 |
ROMANTIC WARRIOR
DANNY SHUM 7YO BAY GELDING 57.0KG PETER LAU PAK FAI Second-up. First-up after eight months favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.5 len at this track G2 Jockey Club Cup November 23 over 2000m defeating Voyage Bubble carrying 58kg at $1.40. Previously second-up favourite; won by 1.5 len at this track G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup December 8 2024 over 2000m defeating Liberty Island with 57kg at $1.10. Going well and looks hard to beat again here. |
2 JAMES MCDONALD |
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| 2 | x1x2x |
BELLAGIO OPERA
HIROYUKI UEMURA 5YO BAY HORSE 57.0KG BELLAGIO RACING Back from a long spell. Finished off last campaign held ground to the line 2nd of 17 at Hanshin in the G1 Takarazuka Kine on June 15 over 2200m, 3 len behind Meisho Tabaru carrying 58.0kg at $4. Won previous preparation first up favourite; won by 1.0 len at Hanshin G1 Osaka Hai April 6 over 2000m defeating Lord Del Rey with 58.0kg at $5.10. Going well and looks hard to beat again here. |
5 KAZUO YOKOYAMA |
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| 3 | 6x0x0 |
ROUSHAM PARK
HIROYASU TANAKA 6YO BAY HORSE 57.0KG SUNDAY RACING CO LTD Second-up today. Last run 12th of 18 at Tokyo in the G2 Copa Republica Argentina on November 9 over 2500m, 3.5 len behind Mystery Way carrying 59.5kg at $11.40. At only start last preparation 15th of 17 at Hanshin in the G1 Takarazuka Kine on June 15 over 2200m, 16 len behind Meisho Tabaru carrying 58.0kg at $28. Would have to improve sharply. |
3 C P LEMAIRE |
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| 4 | 233x2 |
GALEN
JOSEPH O'BRIEN 4YO CHESTNUT GELDING 57.0KG BARRY TAYLOR, CAM MASSIE, GOETZ MAEUSER, T G FITZGERALD, PAUL H REDMOND & BARRY FOWLER Second run back. First-up after three months 2nd of 8 at Sakhir in BHRG2 on November 14 over 2000m, 0.8 len behind Royal Champion carrying 58kg at $11. Previously second-up 6th of 16 at Meydan on February 7 over 1800m, 5 len behind Arabian Light carrying 62kg at $6. Hard to have in this tough line-up. |
7 DYLAN BROWNE MCMONAGLE |
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| 5 | 89x44 |
STRAIGHT ARRON
DAVID A HAYES 7YO BAY GELDING 57.0KG KAREN LO KI YAN Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up made some head-way from midfield; 4th of 14 at this track in the G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy (Handicap) on October 19 over 1600m, 2 len behind My Wish with 53kg at $80. Second-up 4th of 9 at this track in the G2 Jockey Club Cup on November 23 over 2000m, 3 len behind Romantic Warrior with 56kg at $21. Meets a tough line-up and prefer others. |
1 CRAIG WILLIAMS |
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| 6 | 62x07 |
CHANCHENG GLORY
K W LUI 5YO BAY GELDING 57.0KG CHANCHENG RACING SYNDICATE Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming second last of 13 at this track in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies' Purse on November 9 over 1800m, 12 len behind Encountered carrying 60kg at $18. Second-up 7th of 13 at this track in the G2 Jockey Club Mile on November 23 over 1600m, 4 len behind Galaxy Patch carrying 56kg at $73. Looks tested against this line-up. |
6 MAXIME GUYON |
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| 7 | 11193 |
QUISISANA
FRANCIS-HENRI GRAFFARD 5YO BAY MARE 55.0KG HARAS DE LA PERELLE Comes off a 57 day let-up. At the latest run raced on the pace when 3rd of 10 at Ascot in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes on October 18 over 2414m, 3.5 len behind Kalpana carrying 60.5kg at $7. The run before that 9th of 17 at Longchamp in the G1 Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe on October 5 over 2400m, on a slow track; 9 len behind Daryz with 58kg at $20. Others seem to have her measure. |
4 C SOUMILLON |
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