Size rolls out reinforcements as he eyes momentum shift at Sha Tin

By Paul Ryding

Champion trainer John Size is ramping up his bid for a 14th title this weekend as he prepares to send a squad of 13 runners to the 11-race meeting at Sha Tin.

Size’s contingent for Sunday’s (18 January) 15th National Games Hong Kong Medallists Raceday equals his largest of the season as he seeks to close the gap on the premiership leaders. His 17 wins so far place him in eighth position, 15 wins behind leader Mark Newnham as the 2025/26 season approaches the midway point.

It was a very merry festive period for the 13-time Hong Kong champion as he registered six wins in four meetings, but he has now failed to find a winner among his last 19 runners.

The Australian Racing Hall of Famer thinks several of his runners this weekend are ready for their moment under the Winner’s Arch.

Eye-catching four-year-old Flow Water Flow (134lb) has been knocking on the door during his six months in Hong Kong, but has found one too good in each of his three previous outings this term. Size believes his time is nearing.

“The horses that have beaten him have done well on the day,” Size said of the Proisir gelding, who competes in the Class 4 Triathlon 1600m Handicap. “He’s obviously due – he just needs a bit of luck.

“He goes up to 1600 (metres), which gives him more time to get home. He’s been a nice horse – so with that consistency, I think he’s going to win a few races.”

Talented four-year-old Juneau Pride (135lb) won three times and placed in all nine starts during a remarkable debut campaign in Hong Kong that saw him climb to a mark of 80 ahead of his four-year-old season. However, the Pride Of Dubai galloper has failed to reach those heady heights so far this term, finishing outside the placings in each of his three runs.

Size, though, is optimistic that linking up again with regular rider Brenton Avdulla in the Class 3 Fencing 1400m Handicap may contribute to a return to form.

“He did a fair bit last season and got to a mark of around 80,” Size said. “To get back to that form sometimes takes a couple of races, and I think he’s nearly there. I think he’ll run better on the weekend.

“Brenton’s always rode him very well. Maybe he can get close to his old mark.”

In Sunday’s feature race, the Class 3 The 15th National Games Hong Kong Medallists Cup Handicap (1000m), Jamie Richards has high hopes for exciting debutant City Gold Banner (119lb).

The Privately Purchased (PP) four-year-old won impressively on debut in Australia and has trialled strongly in Hong Kong, catching the eye of champion jockey Zac Purton, who takes the ride in the Starspangledbanner gelding’s Sha Tin bow.

“He’s a nice horse. He’s been trialling well. I think he’s going to get a bit further, but he’s been a bit keen in the mornings and in his trials so I think 1000 (metres) is a good place to kick him off,” Richards said.

“There’s a bit of improvement to come, but I’m quietly confident. It’s never easy to win first up in Hong Kong, particularly for the PPs, but I think he’ll run a nice race,” added the New Zealander.

Meanwhile, Ricky Yiu provided a positive update on the preparation of his stable star Voyage Bubble as he limbers up for a defence of his Triple Crown.

The HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) clash with superstar Romantic Warrior also pits eight-time champion jockey Purton against the world’s leading rider, James McDonald.

“He’s doing really well. He had a good trial. To be honest, I’m really interested to see how these two horses run against each other,” Yiu said. “I think it’s only a two-horse race in this field.

“Depending on the draw, I think it’ll be a very tactical race for the two jockeys.”

Sunday’s (18 January) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 12.30pm with the Class 5 Rugby Sevens 2000m Handicap.