Sha Tin, Hong Kong – Racing returns to Sha Tin on Sunday with an 11-race program featuring both turf and all-weather surfaces. Among the contenders, Romantic Thor is poised to make a strong showing in the Class Three Junction Handicap (8:05am) after a promising, though ultimately unsuccessful, first attempt on the surface last month. Trainer Danny Shum is hoping for a better result this time around, with jockey Zac Purton adjusting his strategy.
Shum, a veteran trainer in Hong Kong, has already saddled 36 winners this season, demonstrating his continued success in the highly competitive racing circuit. The upcoming race features several top dirt performers, including Talents Ambition and Dragon Air Force, who have collectively secured seven wins and ten placements, proving popular with racing enthusiasts. However, their performance is often dependent on the pace of the race, requiring a strongly run contest to showcase their finishing kicks.
Romantic Thor’s previous run on the all-weather track saw him looking strong mid-race, only to be overtaken in the closing stages by Sky Vino and Dragon Air Force. Purton, Hong Kong’s leading jockey, believes a slight miscalculation in pacing may have contributed to the horse’s fading strength. He is expected to adopt a more patient approach this time, conserving energy for a strong finish.
Capulet Seeks First Win Under Shum’s Guidance
Likewise competing is Capulet, a former UK galloper with a notable pedigree as the son of Kentucky Derby winner Justify. Trained previously by Aidan O’Brien, Capulet won the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester, but has yet to secure a win in Hong Kong, managing only two placings in ten races. Connections are banking on the expertise of both Shum and Purton to finally break through and achieve that elusive first victory.
Telecom Fighters is expected to set a quick pace, but analysts suggest the speed may not be sustained, potentially turning the race into a sprint down the home straight. This scenario could favor horses with strong closing speed, like Romantic Thor, but also presents challenges for Talents Ambition and Dragon Air Force, who thrive in races with a more demanding tempo.
Shum’s Continued Success and Recent Milestones
Danny Shum’s career has been marked by significant achievements, beginning with 34 winners in his debut season in 2003/04. He achieved international recognition in 2011/12 when Little Bridge won the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. More recently, in 2020/21, Shum reached a career-high of 57 wins, finishing fifth in the trainers’ championship.
A major highlight came in 2021/22 with Romantic Warrior, the first graduate of the Hong Kong International Sale to win the Hong Kong Derby, followed by a triumph in the QEII Cup. Romantic Warrior continued to excel under Shum’s training, becoming Horse Of The Year in 2023/24 after winning five Group 1 races across Australia, Hong Kong and Japan. The horse has continued to perform at a high level, securing wins in the Hong Kong Cup and Jebel Hatta in 2024/25, and achieving a second-place finish in the Saudi Cup. As of September 2025, Romantic Warrior’s earnings total HK$214.70 million, a horse racing world record, according to the South China Morning Post.
In January 2026, Shum reached another milestone, achieving his 900th Hong Kong win as a trainer at Sha Tin’s all-dirt meeting, further solidifying his position as a leading figure in Hong Kong racing, as reported by Racing and Sports.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on Romantic Thor and his attempt to secure a win on the all-weather surface. The outcome of Sunday’s race will undoubtedly provide further insight into the horse’s potential and Shum’s ability to continue his winning streak.
What are your predictions for the Class Three Junction Handicap? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
