Johannes Brahms led the charge towards the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) with victory in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Heung Yee Kuk Cup Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (16 February) as Sky Heart and Steps Ahead also advanced Four-Year-Old Classic Series claims.

Formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien in Ireland where he was placed at Group 2 level, Johannes Brahms (121lb) earned a Top-Up Bonus of HK$1.5 million after scoring by a short head from Speed Dragon (121lb) in 1m 33.59s for Pierre Ng and Andrea Atzeni.

“This time we really wanted to test him, get him higher in rating and prove he’s a capable Class 2 horse. The next test is the (Hong Kong) Classic Cup – 200m further, so we probably have to ride him more quietly,” Ng said.

“He’ll be a very good miler. The four-year-old races always have a slow pace. It didn’t suit him last time (when 14th in the Hong Kong Classic Mile) but hopefully we’ll get a better draw next time and better pattern of race.”

Atzeni believes 84-rater Johannes Brahms is capable of successfully extending to 1800m of the Hong Kong Classic Cup on 2 March and is also capable of strongly contending in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 23 March beyond if he is ridden conservatively.

“He’s obviously got very good European form and if you could ignore his last run when he had excuses in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), he was entitled to be one of the top horses in the race today,” the Italian said.

“We didn’t have a good draw (10) obviously today and we had to take him back and ride him to finish with a mind of running 1800m or maybe further in the future. At the moment, there are a lot of horses with questions marks at the distance. I think this horse, if you ride him quiet, there’s a good chance he could get it. He’s a good horse and it was no surprise today.”

Sky Heart enhanced Hong Kong Classic Cup hopes with a courageous win in the Class 3 Rose Handicap (1600m) for Caspar Fownes and Hugh Bowman.

Rated 69, Sky Heart will be among several Fownes-trained entrants for the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

“He’s such an honest horse, he’s actually a quality horse and he can only get better,” Fownes said of the Ardrossan gelding. “He’s going to run further. I think he’s got a very good future in Hong Kong. He’s definitely a horse on the up. He was very strong through the line, indicating he will run further, so quite exciting for us.”

Steps Ahead was the first to advance BMW Hong Kong Derby claims with a narrow win over Lo Rider in the Class 3 Marigold Handicap (1800m). Trained by Francis Lui, the Written By gelding lifted late under Atzeni.

“He’s an honest horse. He always keeps fighting in his races. I’ll try get him to the Classic Cup and Derby, but his rating might not be high enough,” Lui said.

Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand, who are in Hong Kong on a short stint to cover injured colleagues Zac Purton, Vincent Ho, Angus Chung and Keith Yeung (who returns Wednesday, 19 February), both posted their first wins at Sha Tin.

Doyle struck first with a patient ride on Billionaire Secret for Jimmy Ting in the Class 4 Lotus Handicap (1800m). Last entering the straight, Doyle guided the Slade Power gelding to the outside before hitting the line powerfully.

“My first day on this lovely track and they seem to be hard to peg back today, but there was a pace collapse and it played to my horse’s strength,” said Doyle, who had previously ridden four winners at Happy Valley. “It’s great to be back and seemingly I have some nice rides.”

Marquand, who had previously ridden two winners at Happy Valley, scored on Lui-trained Invincible Shield in the Class 3 Primula Handicap (1200m). Formerly trained by Tony Gollan in Queensland, Invincible Shield won four races at Doomben before export.

“We’ve ridden a few nice horses here in competitive races but we haven’t shot gold, so it’s nice get one win in each and I have to reiterate that we’re only here because of the boys’ misfortune and it’s pretty rubbish for them because all of us just wants everyone to get around safe,” Marquand said, also referring to Doyle’s breakthrough.

“If we can fill a gap, we’re more than pleased to and we’re glad we were on the call list of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.”

Horsepower maintained his unbeaten record with victory in the Class 3 Osmanthus Handicap (1000m) for Frankie Lor and Matthew Chadwick. Raced by The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chairman Mr Michael Lee, his wife Vanessa and daughter Amelia, Horsepower (131lb) charged over the final 100m to make it two wins from as many starts.

Formerly known as Fire Follower when trained by Anthony Freedman in Australia, Horsepower’s finishing surge impressed Chadwick.

“He did it pretty well today, he had a heavy weight and he jumped only fair. I just had to wait for a run. He’s got a nice sprint and turn of foot. He’s got to be able to get there and then sprint and he did that today,” Chadwick said.

David Hall’s Magnifique also remained unbeaten by winning the first section of the Class 4 Daisy Handicap (1200m) under Avdulla who proceeded to a race-to-race double when John Size-trained Magnificent Nine won the first section of the Class 4 Jasmine Handicap (1400m).

Chris So’s Master Of All claimed the second section of the Class 4 Jasmine Handicap (1400m) under Alexis Badel, posting his second course and distance win of the season after Gallant Crown scored his first win since June, 2023 with a comfortable success in the Class 5 Camellia Handicap (1600m) for David Hayes and Derek Leung.

Matthew Poon continued a superb season with victory on Benno Yung’s Ka Ying Warrior in the second section of the Class 4 Daisy Handicap (1200m). Poon took his 2024/25 tally to 25 wins.

Hong Kong racing will continue at Happy Valley on Wednesday (19 February).