Tomodachi Kokoroe (135lb) is enjoying his best season to date and Harry Bentley is hopeful the speedster can maintain his positive trajectory in Thursday’s (1 January) HK$4.2 million G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin, although the British rider is tempering his expectations with the contest’s highest-rated horse. 

The Written Tycoon galloper – raced by the Tak Sum Syndicate – won his first three starts this term, including the HK$5.35 million G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m), before his sixth placing in the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) behind Ka Ying Rising on 14 December – his first attempt at racing’s elite level. 

Bentley said: “It was a solid effort. It wasn’t easy taking on those horses at level weights in a Group 1 – I still think he ran an okay race. He’s back up to 1400 metres for the first time in a while, but he has finished second over the distance before (on 1 July, 2024) having led nearly all the way.

“These Group 3s or handicap Group races are often won by horses with bottom weight. So, you’d have to go into it with managed expectations carrying top weight. But the horse is in good form and there’s some tough opposition, so we’ll do our best.”

Seven-year-old Tomodachi Kokoroe’s resurgence began as trainer David Hayes added the ‘blinker with one cowl only’ in his final start of last season, resulting in the bay’s then 84 rating soaring to a current career-high mark of 110. A seven-time winner in Hong Kong, Tomodachi Kokoroe has faced 1400m twice before at Sha Tin.

“We know he can stay 1400 (metres). We have a lovely draw (one) and we have options. I’ll see what David wants to do – either if we take a seat and relax behind someone or if he wants to roll on at his own pace, then we can do that as well,” Bentley said.

The Chinese Club Challenge Cup also features Patch Of Theta (134lb), Packing Hermod (133lb), Light Years Charm (132lb), Beauty Eternal (127lb), Johannes Brahms (117lb), Aeris Nova (116lb), Capital Delight (116lb), Dancing Code (116lb), Sky Trust (115lb), Storm Rider (115lb) and Gustosisimo (115lb).

Looking to enhance his 10 wins this season, Bentley takes nine mounts at Sha Tin on Thursday, including Serangoon (124lb) in the Class 4 Mui Wo Handicap (2000m). The rider has prevailed twice aboard the Tony Cruz-trained charge previously at Happy Valley.

“I’m reunited with him – I’ve ridden him on lots of occasions. He’s been racing well; perhaps he just hasn’t quite had the rub of the green, but he has a nice draw (four), and the distance is never going to be a problem for him – he could get double, if he had to,” Bentley said.

Irish jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle kicks off his three-month contract with five rides at Sha Tin, booked for Legend Star, Alabama Song, Packing Hurricane, Frantanck and Beauty Alliance.

The 22-year-old jockey partnered Al Riffa and Galen at the recent LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, finishing fourth atop each horse in their respective Group 1s.

Thursday’s (1 January) 11-race Lucky Start 2026 Raceday at Sha Tin begins at 12.30pm with the Class 5 Tsung Pak Long Handicap (1600m).

A jackpot of HK$10 million has been accumulated for the Triple Trio, while a jackpot of HK$1 million from the Operator Reserve will be offered for the first Double Trio.

The Quartet & First 4 Merged Pool will be topped up from the Jackpot Reserve totalling HK$2 million – allocated to the Chinese Club Challenge Cup (Race 8) and Race 11.