Sha Tin Racing Tips: John Size Eyes Trainers’ Championship Glory

Horse racing returns to Sha Tin on May 3, 2026, with an 11-race program highlighted by the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup. The event arrives at a critical juncture in the season, as the battle for the Trainers’ Championship enters its final quarter with six stables remaining in contention for the title.

The race for the championship has been characterized by frequent shifts in leadership, a dynamic the current standings have often likened to a game of musical chairs. As the season enters its final 25 percent, the lead remains volatile, making the outcome of the upcoming Sunday meet potentially pivotal.

The Championship Standings

Caspar Fownes and Mark Newnham currently sit as joint leaders in the standings. Trailing them is the current champion and 13-time winner John Size, who is presently nine winners behind the two front-runners.

Despite the gap, Size has maintained a strong trajectory throughout April 2026. The trainer recorded eight winners during the month, including a four-timer in the middle of April. This period of the season typically marks a transition into overdrive for the Size stable, often coinciding with the introduction of several new horses to the circuit.

Sunday’s Raiding Party

The Size stable is fielding a strong contingent of nine gallopers on May 3, including several horses viewed as future Group-class candidates based on recent winning form.

Among the most anticipated is Nautical Force, who will compete in the feature race of the card, the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup, at 8:40 pm. The race is a handicap contested over a mile and a half.

Nautical Force enters the event following a winning debut in a nine-furlong handicap in April 2026. While several of the six rivals in the field are untested over the 12-furlong distance, Nautical Force has prior experience at this trip. The former UK galloper finished fourth in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot in June 2025, suggesting the return to this optimum distance will be advantageous.

Key Contenders and Handicaps

Another focal point for the stable is Sky Jewellery, who is scheduled for the mile Members Cup Handicap at 9:40 pm. Sky Jewellery was previously considered a strong candidate for the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, though his early career was hampered by health issues.

The horse showed significant promise in a comeback run in April 2026, where he defeated a competitive field over seven furlongs. In the upcoming Members Cup, Sky Jewellery will benefit from a 16-pound weight advantage over his primary threat, Stormy Grove, as he pursues serious aspirations of dining at the top table in the future.

Rounding out the stable’s key interests is Red Maestro, competing in the seven-furlong Shenzhen Centre Handicap at 10:45 pm. A son of Ten Sovereigns, Red Maestro underwent a comprehensive preparation before making his first appearance in March 2026 over a six-furlong distance.

While the six-furlong trip was considered inadequate, the horse has shown marked improvement in subsequent training and performances. Despite facing a difficult field in the Shenzhen Centre Handicap, the stable expects the horse to be competitive.