| What | Stewards’ Cup Day 2025 |
| Where | Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong |
| When | Sunday, January 19, 2025 |
| First Race | 12:30pm HKT (3:30pm AEDT) |
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Visit Dabble |
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Group 1 action returns to Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, with the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) headlining a bumper 11-race program. The rail is in the A position throughout the entire circuit, and with no rainfall expected in the region, punters can expect pristine Good 4 conditions as we edge closer into the evening. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm HKT.
Stewards’ Cup Tip: Galaxy Patch
After a luckless performance in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on December 8, Galaxy Patch gets his chance at redemption in the 2025 Stewards’ Cup. He got caught up in traffic at a crucial stage in his latest outing, only getting through his gears in the final furlong, while Voyage Bubble stayed out of trouble to boot clear by 1.3 lengths. Gate three should allow the newly appointed Blake Shinn to take much closer order this time around, and with the best turn-of-foot in this race, Galaxy Patch only needs to be within striking distance to claim his maiden Group 1 success.
Stewards’ Cup
Race 8 – 
#5 Galaxy Patch (3)
5yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: Blake Shinn (57kg)
Bet with Neds
Centenary Sprint Cup Tip: Ka Ying Rising
Although the half-length victory of Ka Ying Rising in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) doesn’t jump off the page, it was hard not to be impressed by his willingness to find the line. He kept surging under Zac Purton, with the son of Shamexpress fighting off a smart one in the form of Helios Express after doing a mountain of work in the middle stages. Expect Purton to be positive from the wide draw (8) and attempt to lead; however, if Magic Control or Victor The Winner want to press on with the job, Ka Ying Rising will have no issues stalking his rivals before exploding to claim back-to-back Group 1 victories.
Centenary Sprint Cup
Race 6 – 
#1 Ka Ying Rising (8)
4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (57kg)
Bet with BlondeBet
Best Bet at Sha Tin: Light Years Charm
Light Years Charm appears set to peak heading into his third Hong Kong start after an eye-catching performance at this course and distance on January 5. The son of Rubick was forced to make inroads from the rear of the field on that occasion after being dragged back from gate 11, storming through the line as one of the widest gallopers turning for home. Zac Purton gets legged aboard for the first time, and with barrier one allowing him to take closer order, expect Light Years Charm to justify the short price with horse racing bookmakers.
Best Bet
Race 7 – 
#9 Light Years Charm (1)
4yo Gelding | T: David Eustace | J: Zac Purton (55kg)
Bet with Picklebet
Next Best at Sha Tin: Shamus Storm
The David Hayes-trained Shamus Storm caught the eye debuting at this track and trip on December 29 and was clearly the best of the beaten brigade behind Endeared. He sat on the three-wide line with cover throughout first-up before powering down the centre of the course, only to find one better as the quinella pair pressed clear of their respective rivals. Andrea Atzeni should land near the one-one from stall three, and a repeat performance second-up should have Shamus Storm figuring in the finish once again.
Next Best
Race 5 – 
#6 Shamus Storm (3)
3yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Andrea Atzeni (58kg)
Bet with Dabble
Best Value at Sha Tin: New Forest
Formerly trained by Sara Ryan in Australia, New Forest gets set to make his Hong Kong debut for the Mark Newnham barn. The Justify gelding appears to have acclimatized well to his new surroundings, claiming victory in a recent barrier trial at Conghua on January 6 to build confidence heading into this first-up assignment. Lyle Hewitson takes the reins and will be looking to make every post a winner, and provided he can steal a moderate sectional in the middle stages, watch for New Forest to give a bold sight at the each-way price with Boombet.
Best Value
Race 9 – #10 New Forest (3)
4yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Lyle Hewitson (54kg)
Bet with Boombet
Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin
Sha Tin quadrella selections
January 19, 2025
- 5-8
- 1-3-4-8-9-10-12
- 2-3-6-11-12
- 1-3-4-5-12-14
Horse racing tips
