Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Racing Tips - Romantic Warrior chasing history at Sha Tin

Adam Cusworth

Editor

Last updated: 24 May 2026

Adam Cusworth 24 May 2026

Share this article

Romantic Warrior targets the Hong Kong Triple Crown, as top favorite.
Cap Ferrat and Japanese raider Deep Monster are key contenders.
Winning Wing identified as a strong value place bet.

Expired

Jockey James McDonald riding Romantic Warrior (Getty Images)

2026 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Preview

2026 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Preview
2026 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Speed Map
2026 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Best Bet
2026 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Value Bet

The final Group 1 of the Hong Kong season shapes as a historic occasion with Romantic Warrior attempting to become just the third horse to complete Hong Kong’s Triple Crown.

After wins in the Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) earlier this season, Danny Shum’s champion has simply been untouchable in Hong Kong racing, winning 10 straight at home and taking his overall Group 1 tally to 14.

The small query is the 2400m journey, but there is a strong sense that he is a more relaxed and mature horse now than when narrowly beaten in this race back in 2023. James McDonald should enjoy a dream run from barrier 1 aboard the 2023 Cox Plate champion, settling just behind the speed before unleashing his trademark turn of foot in the straight.

Cap Ferrat looms as the main danger, if there is one. Francis Lui’s galloper looks to have returned to his best after injury setbacks earlier in the season, hitting the line strongly behind My Wish in the Champions Mile (1600m) last start, producing the fastest last 200m to just run out of time late.

His 3rd placing in this race last year reads well and Craig Williams reunites with the gelding after partnering him in last year’s Hong Kong Derby (2000m) triumph. The step to 2400m looks ideal and his recent work alongside Winning Wing has reportedly impressed the stable.

Japanese raider Deep Monster adds plenty of intrigue. The son of Deep Impact arrives off a Group 1 victory in the Amir Trophy in Qatar where he defeated Goliath and produced a career peak performance. He has won twice at 2400m and boasts strong staying credentials, but the speed map makes things tricky from barrier 2 if he drifts too far back in running. His best form measures up strongly, although Romantic Warrior sets a frightening standard.

Romantic Thor deserves respect after winning over the Sha Tin 2400m trip in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup. Zac Purton sticks and he maps to get every favour in front, but this is a significant rise in class at weight-for-age level. Numbers is another who could improve sharply if allowed to dictate terms and his Derby form earlier this season was excellent.

With Romantic Warrior likely to secure the perfect run from the inside draw and his rivals seemingly searching for answers, history beckons at Sha Tin. The Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup is Race 8 of 11 on the program at Sha Tin on Sunday.

2026 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Speed Map

Romantic Thor and Numbers should spear forward and ensure a genuine tempo, with Romantic Warrior landing the ideal stalking position from barrier one. Cap Ferrat maps to settle midfield with cover, while Deep Monster and Rousham Park are likely to drift back before attempting to charge home late. Winning Wing and Ka Ying Generation should also settle towards the rear in what shapes as a truly run staying contest.

2026 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Best Bet

Everything points towards Romantic Warrior completing the Triple Crown. He is unbeaten this season, maps perfectly from barrier 1 and looks a more seasoned stayer than when narrowly beaten in this race two years ago. His class edge over this field is enormous and James McDonald should have him within striking distance throughout. Given the odds, the play does look to be to take Cap Ferrat in same-race multi's. The five-year-old is the logical play to fill the exacta and will be doing his best work late

2026 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Value Bet

Winning Wing looks over the odds to run a place in the Group 1 feature. Francis Lui’s galloper was competitive behind Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Gold Cup earlier this campaign before stepping to 2400m and finishing 3rd behind Romantic Thor in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup. The speed map suggests he can settle quietly and conserve energy for one late run, while his recent gallop alongside Cap Ferrat indicated he has held his form nicely. In a race where several rivals have queries at the trip or class level, Winning Wing appeals as a genuine value place chance.

Verdict

Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup

2026 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup Tips- Take a Same Race Multi with Romantic Warrior to win and Cap Ferrat to finish runner-up

Same Race Multi

Race 8 Sha Tin

@270.00 - 1 Unit

Download the dabble app

with referral code BLACKBOOK

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BLACKBOOK to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at dabble

Winning Wing (Place)

Race 8 Sha Tin

@250.00 - 1 Unit

Download the dabble app

with referral code BLACKBOOK

Bet at dabble