David Hayes and Karis Teetan kicked off the New Year in style at Sha Tin, combining with the lightly weighted Storm Rider to capture the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m) in a finish that went right down to the wire.

For Teetan, it was a familiar script in one of Hong Kong’s traditional early-season features. The Mauritian rider claimed his fourth success in the race, adding Storm Rider to previous wins aboard Fifty Fifty (2018), Champion’s Way (2021) and Patch Of Theta (2025). For Hayes, it marked his first victory in the contest since Schubert struck back in 2000.

Carrying just 115lb, Storm Rider enjoyed a positive ride from barrier nine and responded gamely in the closing stages, reeling in Dancing Code (116lb) in the final strides to prevail by a short head in 1m 20.62s. Patch Of Theta, under 134lb, finished another neck away in third after a brave effort.

Hayes believes the win could be a sign of bigger things to come for the progressive gelding, who was rated 86 going into the race.

“I think he’s a horse with the potential to go above 100,” Hayes said. “He was very well rated for his ability. My only concern was the draw, but Karis rode a great race and took that out of the equation. Once he got that nice run, with the light weight, he was always going to be hard to beat.”

Teetan credited both preparation and tactics for the breakthrough performance.

“It’s a good way to start the New Year,” he said. “His trial last week was very good. Last start he pulled too hard and still finished off, so we knew the ability was there. David was very bullish and told me not to take him back, to go forward and make our own luck. Full credit to the team – the horse was very well.”

Earlier on the card, Harry Bentley flagged Frankie Lor-trained Smart Golf as one to follow after the gelding’s authoritative win in the first section of the Class 4 Hillwood Handicap (1200m).

“He’s been trialling extremely well and gave me a great feel,” Bentley said. “He had the speed to overcome the wide draw and when I asked him, he delivered. There’s definitely more to come.”

Mark Newnham reclaimed the lead in the 2025/26 trainers’ championship when Infinite Resolve surged home under Hugh Bowman to take the first section of the Class 3 Cha Kwo Ling Handicap (1200m). The Snitzel gelding, formerly known as Deconstruction in Australia, earned a HK$1.5 million PP Bonus and delivered Newnham his 27th winner of the season, edging him back ahead of Caspar Fownes on countback.

Danny Shum and Hayes remain close behind in the standings as the season continues to take shape after 33 of the scheduled 88 meetings.

John Size, chasing a record-extending 14th trainers’ title, moved into the top 10 courtesy of Endued’s determined victory in the Class 4 Lei Muk Shue Handicap (1600m) under Maxime Guyon.

“It’s important to start the New Year positively,” Size said. “I’ll just keep chipping away.”

The first winner of the calendar year was Iron Legion, as Tony Cruz and apprentice Angus Chung combined in the Class 5 Tsung Pak Long Handicap (1600m), edging Harry’s Hero and Draco in a blanket finish. Another short-head result followed in the second section of the Hillwood Handicap, where Chris So and James Orman landed the spoils with Joy Capital.

Douglas Whyte enjoyed a productive afternoon, with Riding High dominating the Class 5 Pine Tree Hill Handicap (1200m) from the front under Zac Purton, before Six Pack secured a HK$1.5 million PP Bonus in the Class 3 Chuk Yuen Handicap (1400m).

Staying honours went to Yiu Cheung Victory, who dug deep over 2000m in the Class 4 Mui Wo Handicap to give Dennis Yip and Alexis Badel a welcome success, while John Size and Brenton Avdulla later teamed up with Raging Rapids in the Class 4 Lai Chi Chong Handicap (1400m).

One of the more eye-catching performances came from Ricky Yiu’s Rising Force, who defied barrier 14 to land the second section of the Class 3 Cha Kwo Ling Handicap (1200m) under Richard Kingscote. Resuming from a ligament injury, the four-year-old was backed from double figures into 3.3 and justified the support with a stylish victory.

“With the draw, we followed the speed and it worked out well,” Yiu said. “He’s only just turned four and that was his first run of the season. There’s plenty of improvement to come – he’s fast and versatile.”