Tuesday 27 January 2026 brings another thrilling day of Hong Kong racing, with a nine-race programme set to unfold at the iconic Happy Valley track. The action promises high stakes and intense competition, featuring standout contenders from trainer David Hayes' stable, who are currently in exceptional form.
Hayes Stable in Red-Hot Form with Impressive Winners
Trainer David Hayes is riding a wave of success this month, having saddled six winners, including the notable victory of superstar Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin on Sunday. This momentum sets the stage for further triumphs, with two gallopers poised to shine in today's races at Happy Valley.
China Win: A Rising Star in the Feature Race
Highly regarded CHINA WIN, a New Zealand-bred four-year-old, finally delivered on his potential with a stunning victory at Sha Tin earlier this month. Despite stepping up in class for the competitive Class Three O’Brien Handicap over nine furlongs, he appears formidable. Bought with the Classic Four-Year-Old Series in mind, China Win has acclimatised well since Christmas, showing dramatic improvement.
In his last outing, he surged from last to first, leaving rivals behind at Sha Tin. Racing off bottom-weight with light-weight pilot Keith Yeung in the saddle, and benefiting from an ideal gate four, he is expected to sit comfortably in midfield. With a brisk early pace likely, Yeung's strategic move in the closing stages could secure another win for the Hayes stable.
Romantic Son: McMonagle's Chance to Shine
Earlier in the programme, the Hayes stable could taste success with ROMANTIC SON in the first division of the Southorn Handicap over six furlongs. This dual course and distance winner has been performing better than recent form suggests, with issues like poor visibility and over-racing in past races.
Key factors favour Romantic Son: his body weight is nearly identical to when he won in November, he weighs 30 pounds heavier from his last run, and he has drawn the advantageous inside gate one. Adding to his prospects, Irish champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle has been booked to ride.
Dylan Browne McMonagle: Making Waves in Hong Kong
Since joining the Hong Kong jockeys' roster last month, McMonagle has ridden two winners and made a significant impression, notably with 'master trainer' John Size. At just 22 years old, his talent is blossoming, and a victory on Romantic Son could further enhance his growing reputation in the city's racing scene.
Race Pointers for Today's Programme
- Romantic Son – 1.45pm at Happy Valley
- China Win – 2.15pm at Happy Valley
With the Hayes stable in top form and McMonagle's rising star, today's races at Happy Valley are set to deliver excitement and potential breakthroughs in Hong Kong's dynamic racing calendar.
