Orman confident Top Dragon can handle dirt debut at Sha Tin

By Declan Schuster

Top Dragon (135lb) has never lacked ability, and James Orman is hoping the five-year-old can shine when he steps onto the Sha Tin dirt for the first time under race conditions in the Class 3 Pyramid Hill Handicap (1650m) on Wednesday (28 October).

Trained by Chris So, triple winner Top Dragon is dual Class 2-placed and was competitive in last season’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

Top Dragon was seventh first-up in a high-quality race won by Sky Jewellery ahead of Hot Delight on 1 October. The 85-rated Pierata gelding has since finished fourth in a barrier trial on 16 October under Orman, clocking 1m 10.69s over 1200m on the dirt to display an aptitude for handling Hong Kong’s alternate surface on race day.

“He’s probably one of my best rides on the night. I’m sure he’ll run a good race, especially with the form surrounding his races last season,” Orman said.

“He raced in good races last season and his run the other day wasn’t too bad. I don’t think top-weight will worry him too much. He has a good gate (one). He’s definitely capable.”

Orman, 29, is enjoying an impressive start to the 2026/27 campaign with nine winners – including two for So – after 14 of the 88 scheduled race meetings. Their partnership returned six wins last term.

“I’ve always had a bit of luck with Chris, which is great. It’s good to get support from him and, hopefully, I can get another winner for him,” Orman said.

Orman takes five rides at tomorrow’s nine-race all-dirt programme, including Raging Warrior (127lb) in the first section of the Class 4 Shek Uk Shan Handicap (1200m).

“He was eye-catching. He was a reserve runner, gained entry, got the outside barrier and got back to near last before launching home in the fastest final sectional time (22.76s to finish third) of the race. He’s drawn (five) a lot better, so that’s a plus,” Orman said.

Australian Orman secured his first treble in Hong Kong two fixtures ago and has 54 career wins in the city after debuting in February 2025.

“50 is great and now I’ve got to get to 100,” Orman said. “I just have to stay consistent.”

Apprentice Nichola Yuen has moved into second in the 2026/27 jockeys’ championship following her double on Sunday (25 October). She has eight rides at Sha Tin, including Ricky Yiu’s Causeway King (119lb) in the Class 3 Hebe Hill Handicap (1200m).

“He won very easily last start. He’s up in class this time and he has a bit of a tricky draw (11). Hopefully, he can run a good race,” Yuen said.

“If the pace really is super quick, then I might just take a sit to save some energy because he’s up in class – it’s a bit more difficult compared to last start.”

Karis Teetan won 12 races on the dirt last term – second to championship winner Zac Purton – and the Mauritian hopes David Eustace’s Pray For Justice (115lb) has taken a forward step between seasons ahead of the Pyramid Hill Handicap.

“His last run was good on the track and he goes back on it again. He’ll be fresh after a long time off; I am looking forward to riding him,” Teetan said.

“I’m sure he must have improved. He looks like he’s doing well in morning trackwork.”

Teetan is also aboard dirt course winner California Bay (125lb) in the second section of the Class 4 Shek Uk Shan Handicap (1200m) for trainer Tony Cruz.

“He got his form back and ran really well. I think going back to the dirt tomorrow night might just give him a better chance to win again,” Teetan said.

Hong Kong Champion Griffin (2025/26) Hot Delight took part in a barrier trial at Sha Tin this morning (Tuesday, 27 October). The exciting four-time winner tracked the speed before striding to the front in 1m 11.82s under Vincent Ho.