| What | Sha Tin Races |
| Where | Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong |
| When | Sunday, February 4, 2024 |
| First Race | 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) |
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Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon for a bumper 10-race program from 1pm local time. The first leg of the prestigious Four-Year-Old Classic Series is the headline act, with nine horses accepting for the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m). Meanwhile, the stayers step out seeking black type with a full field of 14 set to line up in the Group 3 Centenary Vase (1800m). The rail is in the B+2 position for the meeting, and with only minimal rainfall expected in the lead-up, don’t expect the surface to deteriorate from the Good range.
Hong Kong Classic Mile: Helios Express
Since his most recent Class 2 demolition job at this course and distance on January 7, Helios Express has been a clear favourite with most online bookmakers for the Hong Kong Classic Mile, and it’s easy to see why. The John Size-trained gelding has been sensational since making his way to Hong Kong, winning four of his six starts and yet to miss the frame since debuting in June of last year. Coming back to set weights against his age group, Helios Express appears perfectly placed to take out the first leg of Hong Kong’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
HK Classic Mile
Race 7 – 
#1 Helios Express (6)
4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Hugh Bowman (57kg)
Bet with Bet365
Centenary Vase: Straight Arron
Straight Arron was a shade disappointing last start in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on January 21, and although he must carry top weight in this event, it appears a more favourable setup. The gelding by Fastnet Rock was unable to run on in the sit-and-sprint affair and was left flat-footed a long way from home. A testing 1800m should be ideal for this battle-hardened five-year-old, and that’s exactly what he gets. Hugh Bowman takes the reins from barrier three, and after riding four winners on Wednesday night, he will be looking to continue his hot run of form aboard Straight Arron in the Group 3 Centenary Vase.
Centenary Vase
Race 8 – 
#1 Straight Arron (3)
5yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Hugh Bowman (61kg)
Bet with Unibet
Best Bet: Simple Hedge
Simple Hedge has shown steady improvement throughout the campaign and appears set for a peak performance as he gets to the 2000m for the first time. The son of Sebring has been more focused in his last two attempts at 1600m, courtesy of the blinkers being applied by the John Size barn. He has only been defeated by a combined two lengths across those efforts, powering through the wire to suggest the 2000m shouldn’t be a problem for this progressive four-year-old. He draws soft in gate one to get every chance in behind the speed, and if Simple Hedge doesn’t win this, he may find himself in the ‘never again’ file.
Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#3 Simple Hedge (1)
4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (58.5kg)
Bet with Neds
Next Best: Gummy Gummy
Gummy Gummy returned to the Sha Tin turf course after a 29-week spell and produced an outstanding runner-up performance behind Galaxy Patch on January 13. The Snitzel gelding cleared out by three lengths on third and did so on a surface where he hasn’t traditionally been known to produce his best. On Sunday he returns to the all-weather circuit, where he picked up back-to-back wins last preparation before being tipped out for a spell. Barrier one gives Antoine Hamelin all available options, and if he can lob on the leader’s back throughout the journey, Gummy Gummy should look the winner at some stage.
Next Best
Race 10 – 
#10 Gummy Gummy (1)
4yo Gelding | T: Benno Yung | J: Antoine Hamelin (53kg)
Bet with Bet365
Hong Kong quaddie tips – 4/2/2024
Sha Tin quadrella selections
Sunday, February 4, 2024
- 1-3-5-9
- 1-5-6-11-13
- 3-4-5-6-10-11
- 10-11
More horse racing tips
