Hugh Bowman lays Hong Kong Derby marker with Happy Valley double

South China Morning Post

19-03-2025

Ahead of his bid for a third victory in the city's most prestigious race, Australian rider boots home Power Koepp and M Unicorn at city circuit
Hugh Bowman warmed up for his tilt at a third BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) victory at Sha Tin on Sunday with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Set to ride the Caspar Fownes-trained Lo Rider in the city's most prestigious race, Bowman was in top form at the city circuit when booting home Mark Newnham's new recruit Power Koepp and Fownes' M Unicorn.
The champion Australian rider, who has won the Derby on Werther (2016) and Furore (2019), believes Lo Rider can make an impact after a close second to Steps Ahead and fourth to Bundle Award on his past two starts.
'I'm on a horse that's certainly capable of winning,' said Bowman, who also returns to Sydney on Saturday to ride Rivellino in the Group One Golden Slipper (1,200m) at Rosehill.
Hong Kong Hughie reaches 50 wins this season! 👌
M Unicorn brings up the milestone victory as well as a double for @HugeBowman at Happy Valley... #HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/27Pl18lBUE — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 19, 2025
'He's going to need some things go his way, but I think it's a very open race and I'm delighted to be involved.'
After stints with John Size and Manfred Man Ka-leung, Power Koepp broke through for his first victory in almost two years with a powerful stable debut for Newnham in the second section of the Class Four Wong Nai Chung Handicap (1,200m).
Bowman had the hot $2.1 favourite perfectly placed one out and one back from gate two and he soared clear in the straight to beat My Day My Way by a length and a half.
Bowman clinched his brace with a superb mid-race move on M Unicorn, sending the Savabeel gelding forward from the back half of the field to snatch the lead at the 600m en route to a commanding victory.
The six-year-old kept finding after Bowman's move to easily account for Sturdy Ruby by two lengths.
'He just has difficulty getting himself involved early and I'd spent no energy. I felt the pace wasn't strong so I thought 'I can't come from back and through them,' which was my preferred option,' Bowman said.
'The horse was in good form, so I thought I would make some use of him mid-race and it turned out to be the right move.'
Newnham bounced back from the narrowest of defeats in the Class Three Percival Handicap (1,000m), with Youthful Spirits nailed by Colourful King by a nose, to win the following race with Power Koepp.
The Australian handler, who saddles Classic Mile victor and Classic Cup (1,800m) runner-up My Wish in the Derby, was in disbelief after Youthful Spirits' bid to make all came up agonisingly short.
'He's a hard horse to win with, everyone knows what he's going to do and it's that last 50m that's always a challenge,' Newnham said. 'Tonight I thought he held on.'
While he was elated to score with former Australian sprinter Colourful King on his second Hong Kong start, trainer David Eustace was also convinced Youthful Spirits had won.
Colourful King nails Youthful Spirits! 😱@EustaceRacing's son of Blue Point, a two-time winner at Sandown in Australia, gets off the mark in Hong Kong with @Atzenijockey at Happy Valley...#HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/A3LHor1wVJ — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 19, 2025
'I really, really thought [Colourful King] was beat, so it's obviously pleasing he ran well but I thought he was chinned,' Eustace said.
'I think he's potentially an exciting horse – lightly raced and still working things out.'
A two-time Sandown winner from five pre-import starts when known as Blue Renegade, Colourful King delivered Eustace and jockey Andrea Atzeni their first win together.
'We've both been patient and we haven't lost faith,' Eustace said.
Beauty Destiny - WOW. 🤯
Frankie Lor's sprinter swamps rivals in the nightcap at Happy Valley to win a fifth race this season and first in Class 2 over Aurora Lady... 🔥 @Atzenijockey @Beautystablehk | #HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/XfoYWnGhr5 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 19, 2025
Atzeni joined Bowman with a double when he booted home Frankie Lor Fu-chuen's in-form sprinter Beauty Destiny in the Class Two Sports Handicap (1,200m).
The Star Turn gelding continued his stunning transformation with a fifth win from his past six starts.
Elsewhere on the Valley card, Karis Teetan snapped a streak of 50 winless rides with victory on Douglas Whyte's Ace Power in the Class Four Craigengower Cricket Club Cup (1,200m).
Antoine Hamelin notched his fourth success of the season when he lifted Cody Mo Wai-kit's Spicy Spangle home in the Class Four Hong Kong Football Club Centenary Cup (1,000m).