Tuesday 05 May 2026 4:49 pm
Joao Moreira has ridden nine winners since his return to Hong Kong, and the Brazilian ace could add to that tally with a strong book of rides at Sha Tin on Wednesday. The card is packed with tricky handicaps, making it a challenge for form students to predict the likely favourites in several races.
Lotus Handicap (1.15pm)
The nine-furlong contest is a classic example of the difficulty. Many of the most in-form contenders are rated close to their peak, while others need to improve on recent efforts to be competitive. The Zac Purton and John Size partnership fields Enthralled, who has produced multiple eye-catching runs but is yet to deliver a win. A recent trial on the all-weather surface was encouraging, but questions remain about his attitude. Front-runner Yoda's Choice, ridden by claimer Nichola Yuen, should dictate from the front, but his stable has been winless since March, with a losing streak of 68 runners.
This may be the time to follow the Fownes and Moreira combination with PERFECT TEAM, who looks set to bounce back to form. After a close-up fifth over a mile last month—his strongest run this season—he steps up in distance. Now racing off a mark 12 pounds lower than his last winning mark, he appears well placed to strike.
Chamomile Handicap (2.15pm)
The extended mile race offers FASHION LEGEND a chance to gain compensation for some nightmare journeys recently. The David Eustace-trained gelding is five pounds below his last winning mark and has the services of top all-weather specialist Richard Kingscote in the saddle.
Selections
- Perfect Team – 1.15pm Sha Tin
- Fashion Legend (each-way) – 2.15pm Sha Tin
