Hot Delight (128lb) will make his highly anticipated return in Thursday’s (1 October) HK$2.84 million Class 2 Beijing Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin after last season soaring through the ranks to be crowned Hong Kong Champion Griffin (2025/26).

Trained by Francis Lui and to be partnered again by Vincent Ho, Hot Delight steps up to 1400m for the first time tomorrow when the 89-rated galloper reappears on a rating which virtually guarantees him a start in the 2027 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) – leg one of the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series on 31 January at Sha Tin.

Ho, the winner of 655 races in Hong Kong, said: “Obviously, he’s not at his peak yet. It’s still early in the season, but the positive is he seems more relaxed, which will suit him for 1400 (metres). We hope he stays like this and is relaxed in the race, so he can sustain the run.”

The exciting youngster burst onto the scene winning his first three races comfortably before defeat on debut in Class 2. But that loss was quickly banished with victory in that grade in June to round out his first season 37 rating points higher than when it began.

“In terms of fitness, of course, it’s still early in the season and he’s slowly picking up. We had a jump out on Monday (28 September) to sharpen him up a little more. Even after the trial he will be fitter. But I am happy with him – everything is good,” Ho said.

The bay sports the yellow and red silks of owner Peter Law, which were also carried by 2002/03 Hong Kong Horse of the Year Grand Delight. Drawn in barrier nine, Hot Delight faces tough rivals Sky Jewellery (134lb), Chill Easy (126lb), Top Dragon (125lb), Victory Sky (125lb), Beauty Bolt (124lb), Emblazon (124lb), Bravefield (123lb), Infinite Resolve (123lb), Regal Gem (123lb), Drombeg Banner (121lb) and Public Attention (120lb).

If successful on debut in Hong Kong, South American Group 1 winner Bravefield could pocket connections a HK$3 million PP Bonus and HK$500,000 Premier Series Bonus in addition to the HK$1.59 million on offer for first. Bravefield is the first horse to run for a Premier Series Bonus, which rewards high-rating imports.

Three-year-old Jedi Spurs (135lb) dazzled on debut by four-and-a-half lengths as a two-year-old Griffin in June before finishing second as 1.1 favourite, although he did return with mucus after that effort. Trained by David Hayes, the Cosmic Force gelding returns in the Class 4 Hangzhou Handicap (1000m) after a four-length trial victory in 57.66s over 1000m at Happy Valley on 19 September.

Brenton Avdulla, a multiple Group 1-winning rider, said: “Looking forward to getting back on him. He’s obviously a nice young horse who is showing nice potential. He trialled well at the Valley, and he was quite fresh at Conghua prior to that.

“He’s going to have to improve when he takes on older horses as an early three-year-old carrying 135 (pounds). We’ll learn a lot more about him, I think, come Thursday when he carries a big weight against that sort of opposition.”

Avdulla, 35, hops aboard Raging Blizzard (135lb) in the HK$4.2 million G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) for Australian Racing Hall of Fame trainer John Size after the horse was second in this race last year behind Fast Network.

Group 1-placed Raging Blizzard faces a weighty task at the top of the handicap against Crimson Flash (125lb), Beauty Waves (124lb), Colourful King (123lb), Tomodachi Kokoroe (122lb), Bottomuptogether (120lb), Magic Control (115lb) and Johannes Brahms (115lb).

Avdulla said: “I’m happy with him. I think 1000 (metres) is a good kick off for him up the straight; he obviously ran well there last year. It’s going to be a challenge for him carrying 135 (pounds), but it’s not a big field and I think the horse is in good form.

“I’ve got no doubt whatever he does on Thursday that he will improve on. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of getting back on him and (I’m) expecting him to run well.”

Thursday’s (1 October) 11-race National Day Raceday at Sha Tin begins at 1pm with the Class 5 Nanning Handicap (1200m). Entry to both Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourse Public Enclosures is free.

By: Declan Schuster