Free betting tips for Sunday's card at Sha Tin | The Hong Kong File

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Kingscote feels the Force as Bentley goes Golfing

Out with the old and in with the new was the theme at Sha Tin on New Year’s Day as several young improvers made their mark.

Richard Kingscote got 2026 off to a flyer when Ricky Yiu’s Rising Force held the wayward Crossborderpegasus to land a major gamble and the Englishman has received another boost with news that his HK licence has been extended until the end of the season.

Smart Golf looked a sprinter on the rise when making all for Frankie Lor and Harry Bentley, while Infinite Resolve opened his HK account and sent Mark Newnham back to the top of the trainers’ table with a smooth success under Hugh Bowman.

Smart Golf and Infinite Resolve secured a good start to ‘26 for File followers – it would have been a belter but for Sea Sapphire being short headed at 16-1 – and the Sunday spotlight stays on Sha Tin for an eleven-race card featuring a G3 dash with a heavy favourite.

How short is too short?

That’s the question when COLOURFUL KING bids to follow up a striking course and distance success in the G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy at 8.05.

The HK form book is littered with short-priced jollies who failed to deliver down the straight track and Sunday’s race features useful rivals including the speedy Baby Crystal, recent all-the-way winner Stellar Express and last year’s runner-up Magic Control.

But look at the way Colourful King defied what was meant to be a tricky draw (2) in a Class 2 over course and distance five weeks ago.

David Eustace’s gelding looked miles ahead of his mark when swooping from last to first that day - and a 9lb hike was the very least that could be expected – so it all boils down to price.

Early signs suggest he will jump at 2.5 or thereabouts. That’s not a bet compelling price – as Magic Control is another with a fair amount to recommend him – but Colourful King is the potential headline act on Sunday and the manner of his latest win makes him a tough one to oppose.

Gabriel sets out on Derby trail

Eustace takes the wraps off a potential Derby horse on Sunday and SERAPH GABRIEL – highly progressive for Ralph Beckett and last seen when beaten a nose off a BHA rating of 95 in the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot – has been trialling well ahead of the finale at 10.50.

In short, this colt has been very high on my list of Euro imports to watch for several months and I’m hoping he can prove much better than a HK mark of 76 in due course.

That said, it’s never easy making a winning debut at Class 3 level and EVERYONE’S STAR and BUCEPHALAS rate just ahead of him on the short list for this £215,000 handicap.

Everyone’s Star has shaped like a winner in waiting by going close on all his three starts this season - most recently when nailed on the line over 1400m by Smart Avenue three weeks ago - while Bucephalas scored with authority on his reappearance only to get caught in heavy traffic when elevated to Class 3 last time.

Well treated after being raised just 2lb, Everyone’s Star looks the main choice. But Bucephalas isn’t far behind him. And Seraph Gabriel looks worth adding to the Quinella mix, just in case he’s ready to roll again after a lengthy absence.

Lor form points to a Loyal success

Another high-profile British import steps out for the first time when Windlord starts his HK career in the Leighton Handicap at 7.35 but the Sandown Listed winner hasn’t been trialling like a horse who’s ready to strike early.

Victory Sky is clearly a key player for the 8.40 judged on his emphatic AW debut success in a race that’s working out strongly, but LOYAL BRIGHT is Sunday’s second recommendation when he bids to make it third time lucky in the Class 3 dash at 9.15.

This Aussie import won three from three in Queensland and has made a promising start in HK, shaping nicely when well backed on his debut at Happy Valley then staying on willingly for third from a high draw behind the progressive Aurora Patch at Sha Tin.

Igor Stravinsky and Galactic Voyage were also in the mix for the places that day, but Loyal Bright looks open to more improvement than that pair.

Add in an inside draw – and the fact that the Lor man has his team in fine form – and Loyal Bright clearly has a lot in his favour as Derek Leung bids to move into double figures for the season.

Douglas taking it to the Wire

Turquoise Velocity was another to impress down the straight 1000m track last month, powering clear to make a winning debut under Keith Yeung, and Francis Lui’s gelding has drawn well in gate 11 as he bids to defy an 8lb hike in Sunday’s 5.00.

I doubt that will stop him going very close, but Douglas Whyte booked Purton for the first time this season on NYD winner Riding High and it’s interesting to see the Durban Demon links up with the champ again as impressive trial winner Live Wire makes his debut.

Sunday’s Sha Tin Selections

• 9.15: Loyal Bright
• 9.50: Everyone’s Star/Bucephalus/Seraph Gabriel

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