Bentley eyes Valley bullseye before G1s: ‘he's one I'm really looking forward to'
British jockey confident Young Arrow is ready to win in Wednesday night's Class Three Ma Wan Handicap (1,200m)
by Sam Agars on Monday, February 17, 2025 3:51 PM Harry Bentley returns to the applause of the Happy Valley crowd after a recent winner. Photo: Kenneth Chan
He's got a couple of Group One rides to look forward to this weekend but it's a Class Three sprinter giving Harry Bentley cause for excitement ahead of Wednesday night's Happy Valley meeting.
After consecutive fast-finishing thirds from double-figure draws, Young Arrow has scored gate two for the second section of the Class Three Ma Wan Handicap (1,200m).
'I really like Young Arrow. He's drawn well for the first time in a very long time, so that's going to help him,' said Bentley, who partners the Douglas Whyte-trained galloper for the fourth straight time.
'He's run massive races the last couple of times. He's knocking on the door and with a good draw he should be thereabouts. He's one I'm really looking forward to. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 22, 2025
'He's the one that really stands out to me and would be my best chance,' added Bentley of the four-year-old, who will bid to break his Hong Kong maiden at start nine in the city.
Bentley will also ride Quantum Patch among six rides at the Valley before jumping aboard Patch Of Theta for the same owners in this Sunday's Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m).
'Quantum Patch is carrying a light weight and he's run some good races, so he's definitely one to be considered,' said Bentley ahead of the Class Three Kap Shui Mun Handicap (1,650m).
'It's a tough race for Patch Of Theta, naturally taking on Ka Ying Rising is not going to be easy.
'But he's a really nice horse and he seems a progressive type. I sat on him the other day in a trial and he gave me a lovely feel, so I'm chuffed to pick the ride up.'
Bentley, who sits on 15 wins for the season including eight already in 2025, jumps aboard Winning Dragon for Tony Cruz in Sunday's other Group One, the Gold Cup (2,000m).
'I'm pleased with how the past few weeks have gone. I feel like I've just got a bit of momentum and I'm riding for some good stables, so that's good,' said the jockey.
'To pick up a couple of Group One rides is great. I'm pleased to be riding in them and hopefully we can be competitive.
'Winning Dragon was good last start [when second in the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m)].
'He was carrying a light weight, so that helped, but he travelled into the race really well and just got seen off by a very gutsy horse in Chancheng Glory. You never know. It's a tough ask but you've got to give it a crack.'
While he has become accustomed to being the lone English rider on the Hong Kong roster, Bentley will be one of four Britons donning the silks at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with Hollie Doyle, Tom Marquand and Richard Kingscote in town as injury cover.
'It's good to have them in town. I know Richard really well from back home and having ridden against him for many years,' Bentley said.
'He's a top lad so it will be nice to have him around. It makes a bit of a change having a few Brits in town. I've spoken to him. He's had a few questions about how the place works and what not, so hopefully I've steered him in the right direction.'
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