Hong Kong form expert Luke Middlebrook provides his thoughts on every race at the Hong Kong meeting at Sha Tin on Monday, 19 October 2026.
6 I Excelle gets a map upgrade, coming into barrier 2 after jumping from gate 14 last start, when he came from last to finish a strong third. He usually races much handier, so expect him to settle closer today for an in-form Pierre Ng yard.
Selections: 6-4-1-8
8 Ghorgan has improved across two runs for James Cummings, progressing from a ninth first-up to a narrowly beaten third over this trip, both from poor gates. He maps much better today and gets a genuine chance to deliver Cummings his first Hong Kong winner.
Selections: 8-10-12-7
9 Lucky Year is third-up now after a solid sixth from a wide draw last time, when traffic in the straight cost him. Barrier 4 gives him a far better set-up today and a genuine chance to finally shed his maiden status.
Selections: 9-2-5-3
4 California Waves finally gets the barrier upgrade he has been crying out for after two strong Class 4 runs this season from wide draws, closing well on both occasions. He has been knocking on the door since the class drop and gets his chance to break through.
Selections: 4-14-7-12
10 Navas G has placed third twice from five starts, including first-up when he again had to contend with an outside gate and work harder early than ideal. He maps for a much more economical run today and finds a winnable Class 4.
Selections: 10-2-4-8
3 Ruby Thrive is an untapped four-year-old who broke through at start five last time on the quick back-up. He has trialled well again since and looks a horse with more to come.
Selections: 3-4-1-8
10 Ka Ying Radiance has been knocking on the door and gets another chance after a second-place finish that carried merit, with Matthew Poon making a slight error of judgement at the top of the straight. He looks ready to convert.
Selections: 10-4-3-1
2 My Wish bids for back-to-back wins in this race and gets Zac Purton for the first time, replacing the injured Hugh Bowman. Purton has been letting him rip in his trials and the six-year-old gives every impression he is returning in fine fettle. From barrier 3, he should get the run of the race.
Selections: 2-10-7-5
3 Motor comes off two luckless runs since winning well first-up at the track and distance, racing wide throughout on one occasion before finishing eighth last time after being steadied early from a wide draw. He is better than those results suggest.
Selections: 3-1-2-8
14 Master Lucky was beaten under a length into fourth last time despite a misjudged ride, so there was plenty of merit in the performance. Barrier 2 gives him a much better set-up today and the chance to make amends.
Selections: 14-1-7-5
8 Baby Sakura gets in well at the weights as he chases a three-peat, with the extended ratings band seeing him carry 131 pounds, the same weight as when winning first-up. There is also enough speed engaged to suit, allowing him to sit just off the pace before trying to sprint over the top late and make it five wins from eight starts.
Selections: 8-2-13-9