Liu Kangming's Duo Eye Sha Tin Trophy as Defending Champion Zhu Yuan Returns
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
Australian trainer Liu Kangming will field his Group 1 winner Zhu Yuan in Monday's (October 19) HK$5.35 million Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) after his other horse, reigning Hong Kong Derby champion White Rock Diamond, was withdrawn due to a suspensory ligament injury on Thursday. Zhu Yuan, partnered by nine-time Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton, makes his seasonal debut seeking to become the first horse since 2014 to win this prestigious Group 2 contest twice .
Key Points
- The Sha Tin Trophy is a Group 2 handicap (1600m) worth HK$5.35 million, scheduled for Monday, October 19 at Sha Tin Racecourse .
- Zhu Yuan won April's FWD Champions Mile (Group 1, HK$24 million prize) as his first top-level victory, defeating ten rivals including champion Able Friend .
- White Rock Diamond, last season's Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner, was withdrawn on October 15 due to suspensory ligament injury, with his participation in December's Longines Hong Kong International Races uncertain .
- Zhu Yuan will carry 131 pounds this year versus 115 pounds when winning in 2025, and must concede weight to nine of his ten rivals .
- Jockey changes affect both horses: Purton takes over from injured Ben Burton on Zhu Yuan, while Hugh Bowman would have ridden White Rock Diamond .
- The six-year-old has completed three barrier trials this season, all won under Purton, showing strong pre-season preparation .
- Liu's team also includes Joyful Victory (喜悅歡欣), a 54-1 outsider winner last season, stepping up to 1600m and Class 3 .
- Eleven races are programmed for Monday, with the first race (Class 5 Championship, 1800m) starting at 12:30 PM .
Why It Matters
The Sha Tin Trophy serves as a crucial seasonal launchpad for elite milers targeting December's Longines Hong Kong International Races, where Hong Kong's top horses compete against international stars for over HK$100 million in prize money. Liu Kangming's setback with White Rock Diamond highlights the delicate nature of maintaining a championship-caliber stable, while Zhu Yuan's pursuit of a historic double demonstrates the competitive balance between class and burden in handicap racing .
The Sha Tin Trophy serves as a crucial seasonal launchpad for elite milers targeting December's Longines Hong Kong International Races, where Hong Kong's top horses compete against international stars for over HK$100 million in prize money. Liu Kangming's setback with White Rock Diamond highlights the delicate nature of maintaining a championship-caliber stable, while Zhu Yuan's pursuit of a historic double demonstrates the competitive balance between class and burden in handicap racing .