Osipenko, the 5-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding who starts in Friday’s $124,200 January Cup at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney, Australia, is winless in 16 starts since May 2023.

It’s a harsh statistic, and not necessarily a true indication of Osipenko’s recent performances.

On Dec. 26, Osipenko was second by nose in the Summer Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, leading in the stretch before being caught at the wire. Osipenko carried 122.3 pounds compared to 116.8 for race winner Tavi Time.

Sha Tin Selections
(Sunday, January 19, 2025)

Karis Teetan is hopeful Hong Kong International Sale graduate Patch Of Theta can make the grade in Sunday’s (19 January) HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin when Francis Lui’s improving galloper tries horse racing’s elite level for the first time.

Seven potential rivals await Patch Of Theta and the Mauritian jockey, led by dual Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble, victorious in this race last year. Galaxy Patch, Beauty Eternal, California Spangle, Beauty Joy, Chancheng Glory and Red Lion are also entered to run.

by Declan Schuster

Chris So’s stable is on fire at present and the trainer is optimistic of carrying forward his recent form when he takes five runners to Happy Valley on Wednesday night (15 January).

So has six wins from the past four fixtures or six from his last 20 runners in Hong Kong. Unbeaten talents The Boom Box, Hong Lok Golf and Mask Rider have each pitched in with wins, vaulting So to 17 this term after 37 of 88 scheduled race meetings for season 2024/25.

Rubylot has confirmed status as a leading contender for the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 31 January after winning Class 2 The Racing Club Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (12 January) as Dragon Joy and Embraces also enhanced Four-Year-Old Classic Series credentials.

Happy Valley Selections
(Wednesday, January 15, 2025)

Race 1: #2 Smashing Express, #12 Red Maverick, #5 Go Go Go, #6 Kasa Papa

Race 2: #9 Me Time, #4 Highland Rahy, #1 Charity Gain, #8 Good Good

Race 3: #11 Take Action, #8 Wah May Wai Wai, #2 Happy Daily, #6 Corleone

Race 4: #6 Bottomuptogether, #5 Brave Star, #7 Stellar Express, #8 Healthy Healthy

Race 5: #1 Happy United, #5 Bits Superstar, #7 Rewarding Twinkle, #6 Champion Method

Race 6: #7 Sea Sapphire, #1 Smart Fighter, #3 Telecom Dragon, #9 Gimme Five

Paul Lally: 
R1: 10-6-1-11 
R2: 1-8-3-2 
R3: 4-3-6-10 
R4: 8-2-7-1 
R5: 3-1-2-5 
R6: 7-12-5-8 
R7: 6-1-4-12 
R8: 6-1-5-4 
R9: 1-6-14-2 
R10: 8-11-2-7 
Best Bet R7 N6 Rubylot 
Longshot R10 N8 Blessed Nation 
Play R5 QQP 1-2-3 

By Leo Schlink

Pierre Ng hopes Johannes Brahms can further consolidate status as a leading Four-Year-Old Classic Series contender with a strong performance in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 The Racing Club Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (12 January).

Placed at Group 2 level in England when trained by Aidan O’Brien, Johannes Brahms charged late through a narrow gap under James McDonald to win over 1400m at Sha Tin on 22 December, earning a seven-point rise to 83 in the ratings after carrying 131lb.

Consecutive group-level stakes in the second half of November have left Sniztanova an early favorite to win Friday’s $1.85 million Magic Millions 3-year-old Guineas at Gold Coast Racecourse in Australia, but only a slight one.

In a full field of 18, the Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old filly will need a clean trip in the seven-furlong race to utilize her late kick.

Do Deuce, winner of the Grade 1 Japan Cup in November, was honored as Japan’s Horse of the Year and leading older colt or horse for 2024 in awards announced earlier this week.

Do Deuce, now 6, finished his accomplished career with consecutive Grade 1 wins, beginning with the autumn running of the Tenno Sho Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse on Oct. 27. The Japan Cup turned out to be his final start. Do Deuce, by Heart’s Cry, was withdrawn because of lameness from the Grade 1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama in the days before the race was run on Dec. 22.