Graham Cunningham's Hong Kong briefing: all the news ahead of Sha Tin on Sunday

The Hong Kong spotlight switches to the all-weather this week with action coming from Sha Tin. Zac Purton and Joao Moreira both have full books of rides but recent recruit Blake Shinn will also be looking to make his mark on the ten-race card.

Legend on the rise

Hong Kong's fabled sprint division could be in for a shake-up this season as a posse of exciting youngsters look to hit the big time.

Aethero and Voyage Warrior are expected to take high rank in the next few months, while Regency Legend put down a marker in last week's Chief Executive's Cup by stretching his unbeaten run to four with a dominant success under Zac Purton.

A tepid first couple of furlongs meant Danny Shum's gelding was in the perfect stalking position right from the off, and it's also worth noting that he was receiving 12lb from staying-on stablemate Seasons Bloom.

Regency Legend remained unbeaten after winning the Chief Executive's Cup last weekCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

However, Regency Legend settled matters so swiftly that this week’s 8lb rise to a new mark of 111 was the least that could be expected.

"After we went 50 metres the race was at his mercy," said Purton. "There’s no reason why he can’t progress to the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint in December. The older horses are coming to the end of their tether a little bit, so it’s leaving the door open for a horse like him.”

Whyte quick off the mark

Douglas Whyte had his first taste of success as a trainer on Season Opening Day after Adonis scored in the 6f handicap.

Seldom has a humble Class 5 winner been greeted with such fanfare and Whyte, who rode 1,813 winners while dominating Hong Kong racing for well over a decade, took extra delight from the fact he played a key part in coaxing a win from the gelding lost his previous 20 starts.

"I have been the only one on him every morning and that, for me, is satisfaction," he said.

Regan Bayliss celebrates as Adonis gives Douglas Whyte his first winner as a trainerCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Whyte is in no rush to get more wins on the board and has just one runner this Sunday, but there some interesting names among his growing stable of 49 horses.

Uncle Steve and Good Omen – who was successful at Glorious Goodwood when trained by David Simcock – are proven winners with the potential to score again under Whyte's care.

Generals Delight was useful and highly progressive in Australia, and it will be fascinating to see how a recent import from Ireland fares this season.

Known as Kerasi when winning twice for Michael Halford in the Aga Khan’s colours, he will step out for his new connections under the interesting name of Horseain Bolt!

New recruit Shinn aiming to reign supreme

Big things are expected from one of Hong Kong's newest recruits Blake Shinn, who will be bidding to build on a slightly frustrating first day at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Australian rider, who has a Melbourne Cup and more than twenty other top-level successes among his 1,700 career wins, finished second on his first three rides but has nine chances to get off the mark this weekend, including aboard the speedy Winner Supreme in the Seymour Handicap.

Blake Shinn: looks to secure his first Hong Kong winner of the season on SundayCredit: Tristan Fewings (Getty Images)

Fairyhouse winner Young Legend has Purton aboard but has a difficult draw out in stall 12 to deal with on his all-weather debut, while Mr Genuine has risen 8lb for his success late last season.

Shinn is famed for his intense form book study and will be well aware that Winner Supreme is 6lb higher than for the last of his three wins last season.

However, the lightly-raced four-year-old has given the impression his best days are still ahead of him and stall one looks tailor made for Shinn to use his potent early pace to maximum effect.

Chest delivers gold for Gibson

Many a dream comes to nothing on the Hong Kong Derby trail but some imports who fail to shine in their first season can come into their own after time to acclimatise and a slipping handicap mark.

Gold Chest, well regarded when winning both starts for Jane Chapple-Hyam last summer, put memories of a frustrating first season in Hong Kong behind him with a 28-1 success for Richard Gibson last weekend.

Gibson described Gold Chest as "an exciting horse to work with" and several of his colleagues have been raiding the British market for horses who could set out on the 2020 Derby trail.

Awe (centre) was a winner at Newmarket in JuneCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

John Moore is no stranger to sourcing William Haggas-trained runners who have performed well at Royal Ascot, including the 2009 Hong Kong Derby hero Collection.

It’s a fair bet that the veteran handler faced stiff competition to secure Awe, but the son of Bated Breath has joined Moore and looks the sort to make a name for himself judged on his fine fourth for Haggas in Biometric’s the Britannia Stakes.

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