Unbeaten Crossborderpegasus highlights John Size's treble as he extends championship lead
Untapped three-year-old headlines master trainer's three-timer at Sha Tin on Saturday, adding to his premiership advantage over David Hayes
A pair of progressive three-year-olds and a perennial placegetter helped deliver John Size a treble as the master trainer extended his championship lead again at Sha Tin on Saturday.
Continuing his onslaught after bouncing back from a slow start to the season, Size moved to 42 wins – four clear of nearest rival David Hayes – after Crossborderpegasus, Lifeline Express and Juneau Pride saluted.
Crossborderpegasus became the first leg of Size's three-timer when he maintained his unbeaten record at start two in the Class Four Azalea Handicap (1,200m) under Hugh Bowman.
Sent off the $1.3 favourite after an impressive debut win last month, the Rich Enuff three-year-old again showed his inexperience when laying in over the concluding stages but he still proved half a length too slick for Lucky Symphony.
Crossborderpegasus remains unbeaten! 👌@HugeBowman guides John Size's Rich Enuff speedster to a second straight win at Sha Tin... #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/LlGmYBUN1p — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 15, 2025
'He's going well. He's certainly got a bit of ability and it's just a matter of developing that,' said 12-time champion trainer Size.
'If he can improve on that, it will be promising for his future.'
Lifeline Express snapped a streak of six placings – including four seconds – since his last victory when he broke through in the Class Three Angelonia Handicap (1,200m).
Ridden by Andrea Atzeni, the Shooting To Win gelding stormed home from the second half of the field to comfortably beat Geneva by a length and three-quarters, justifying $3 favouritism.
Three-year-old Juneau Pride capped Size's treble when he made it back-to-back triumphs in the Class Three Cosmos Handicap (1,400m).
'I don't know how far he'll go but everything he does is workmanlike and he's been a very honest horse, right from the first day,' Size said.
Despite rising eight pounds on his last-start win, Juneau Pride took advantage of a soft run in midfield from gate two and ran on solidly between runners in the straight.
The Pride Of Dubai gelding accounted for Eighty Light Years by three-quarters of a length as the $1.75 first elect.
John Size extends his championship lead! 🔥
The Australian Racing Hall of Famer scoops a treble as Juneau Pride impresses once again... @brentonavdulla #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/tTbrbsVO13 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 15, 2025
He boasts a strong record of three wins and four placings from seven starts and capped a Saturday double for in-form jockey Brenton Avdulla.
The Australian rider was also successful aboard Pierre Ng Pang-chi's Soaring Bronco in the Class Five Dahlia Handicap (1,600m).
Elsewhere on Saturday's card, Hayes bagged his 38th victory of the season when World Hero made all in the Class Five Snapdragon Handicap (1,200m) under Luke Ferraris.
'He's only three, so I'd expect him to have his better seasons next year and the year after,' Hayes said after World Hero scored his maiden win at start 10.
'It just seems like he's been here a long time as he came here as a two-year-old. Physically he'll get better as he matures. I've always thought he's a 1,400m [horse] and a miler.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Caspar Fownes is ‘King of the Valley' once more, while Ellis Wong continues strong form
Caspar Fownes rocketed to the top of the unofficial Happy Valley trainers' championship and Ellis Wong Chi-wang continued his strong form as the pair bagged doubles at the city circuit on Wednesday night. Wins from Joy Of Spring in the Class Three Tai Tam Gap Handicap (1,800m) and Kaholo Angel in the card-closing Class Two Wan Chai Gap Handicap (1,200m) took Fownes to 23 victories at the track this season, with the 'King of the Valley' leapfrogging Mark Newnham to assume the lead. 'We're back in front. We'll keep doing our best,' said Fownes before praising his apprentice Wong. 'Lovely ride – he's ridden beautifully all night, the kid. He's come a long way, he's doing well and I'm sure everyone's going to want a piece of him now. Kaholo Angel does it again! 🔥 Three wins in four starts for Caspar Fownes' in-form grey galloper as @elliswong05 makes it a double tonight... #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 4, 2025 'Lovely to get that result with [Kaholo Angel]. When you get up to Class Two in Hong Kong, it's very tough and that looked a proper field. But Ellis gave him a lovely ride and thankfully he got it done.' After five wins in May – including three last week – Wong kicked off June in fine style with an early success aboard Mega Bonus for Ricky Yiu Poon-fai in the second section of the Class Four Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap (1,200m) before delivering the goods aboard Kaholo Angel. 'I have to thank my boss [Fownes] for all his support. I've been lucky and [when you] start to ride well, the support starts to come and the confidence starts to come, too,' said Wong. 'I hope to get more winners and keep improving.' Also on Wednesday night, the win of S J Tourbillon was a welcome one for Karis Teetan, who ended a run of 39 rides without a victory by driving the Dennis Yip Chor-hong-trained galloper home in the Class Four Mount Nicholson Handicap (1,800m). HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. Four wins from the past three fixtures for @elliswong05! 🔥 Our apprentice makes all aboard Mega Bonus for in-form trainer Ricky Yiu at Happy Valley...#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 4, 2025 'Dennis said the horse was in good shape and that the track should help him,' said Teetan after S J Tourbillon travelled three wide before barrelling home down the middle of the good-to-yielding track. 'The only thing he said was to get him out of the gates and get him into a good rhythm and I must say he let down nicely.' Teetan wasn't the only one seeing off something of a drought at the midweek meeting, with Keagan de Melo bagging his first success since early April. After enduring 38 losing mounts, South African De Melo speared the Douglas Whyte-trained Golden Darci up the inside from behind midfield in the Class Four Cricket Club Valley Stakes (1,200m). 'He trialled well at Conghua and Dougie was kind enough to give me the ride. Drawing barrier one was really a help and I was able to get close without using him,' De Melo said. S J Tourbillon (ex Roman Empire 🇮🇪) grabs a first win in 728 days at Happy Valley! 🤯 Formerly with @coolmorestud, the Galileo gelding powers through testing conditions with @KarisTeetan for Dennis Yip... 🌧️#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 4, 2025 'These conditions really suited him and he quickened through the line really nicely. 'Things are slowly starting to pick up. There's been a couple of suspensions along the way, but nice to get a win and I'm really grateful for the support I get.' The win was Golden Darci's second from his past three starts and continued an uptick in form for De Melo's countryman Whyte. 'He let down really well and I think Keagan gave him a good ride. He was patient, he waited for the gaps to present themselves and when they did, the horse let down well,' said the trainer. 'He looks like he loves the track. He loves the pace on. The draw was certainly beneficial tonight and I do think the cut in the ground made a significant difference to his performance. Brilliant steer, @kdemelo01! 🤯 South Africa's ace rider weaves to victory in the Cricket Club Valley Stakes with Golden Darci for @DJWhyteTrainer... 🏆#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 4, 2025 'He's got a bit of confidence about him now and let's hope he's on his way. 'It's slowly ticking over again,' added Whyte after moving to 23 successes for the season. 'The horses are at their right rating and I've got a lot of older horses that, towards the back of the season, always come good. 'When there's a bit of juice in the ground like this these older horses always let down a bit better. 'Things are coming together nicely. December, January, February were slow with young horses taking their time – just the normal Hong Kong season – but the back end of the season will be nice.'
RTHK
2 days ago
- RTHK
Kohli leads Bengaluru over Punjab for first IPL title
Kohli leads Bengaluru over Punjab for first IPL title The win secured Royal Challengers Bengaluru's first Indian Premier League T20 crown. Photo: Reuters Batting legend Virat Kohli top-scored for Royal Challengers Bengaluru as they beat Punjab Kings by six runs to win their first Indian Premier League T20 title. Kohli's 43 from 35 balls at the top of the order set up Bengaluru for an imposing total of 190-9 which was one big blow too many for a Punjab side that battled until the end, finishing on 184-7. More than 91,000 fans packed into the 132,000-capacity stadium in Ahmedabad, a sea of Bengaluru's red and Kohli's jersey number 18 dominating the stands as chants of "Kohli, Kohli" rang out. They celebrated noisily when Kohli and RCB clinched victory for the first time in the 18 years of the IPL, their three previous finals having all ended in defeat. The 36-year-old Kohli, one of India's all-time greats in all formats of the game, collapsed on the ground after the win and then got up to be hugged by his teammates as the crowd celebrated their hero. "This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team, it's been 18 long years," said Kohli. "I've given this team my youth, my prime, my experience. I gave it everything I have. I never thought this day would come. I was overcome with emotion as soon as the last ball was bowled." "I have stayed loyal to this team, no matter what," he added. "My heart is with Bangalore, my soul is with Bangalore and this is the team I'll play for till the last day I play the IPL." Punjab faltered in their chase after left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya took 2-17 from his four overs. Shashank Singh hit a valiant 61 not out and finished with three sixes and a four off Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood who defended 29 runs in the final over. Hazlewood, who took 3-21 against Punjab in last week's qualifier win after recovering from a shoulder injury, struck first to send back left-handed Priyansh Arya for 24 with Phil Salt taking a stunning catch at the ropes. Impact substitute Prabhsimran Singh was the next to go off Pandya but the Bengaluru crowd went wild when Romario Shepherd had skipper Shreyas Iyer caught behind for one. Pandya stuck again to cut short Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis' stay on 39 and Bengaluru seized momentum and Shashank's late blitz was not enough. "I am very proud of each and every individual who has participated in this team," said Iyer. "There are a lot of youngsters who are playing their first season, they've shown a lot of fearlessness. We wouldn't be here without them. Kudos to them." Bengaluru had the perfect start as 'King Kohli' dug in. Far from his fluent best, he only struck three fours during his innings but in the end it turned out to be key. He lost opening partner Salt for 16 when New Zealand quick Kyle Jamieson struck in his first over to have the England batter caught in the deep off Iyer. Kohli anchored the innings, sharing important partnerships with Mayank Agarwal, who made 24, and then skipper Rajat Patidar, who hit 26. But Punjab kept chipping away with wickets as leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal got Agarwal and Jamieson trapped the captain lbw. Kohli's vigil ended when he mistimed a rising delivery from Afghanistan pace bowler Azmatullah Omarzai for a caught and bowled, the disappointment etched across his face mirrored by his fans. Jamieson took his third wicket to cut short Liam Livingstone's rampant 25 off 15 balls. Wickets kept tumbling as wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma fell for a 10-ball 24 and Romario Shepherd for 17 off nine balls. Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh took three wickets including Shepherd in the 20th over and gave away just three runs. Bengaluru had defeated Punjab in the first playoff to book their fourth final. The 18th edition of the world's richest cricket league ended nine days late due to a pause because of the military conflict between India and Pakistan. (AFP)
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Scratching gives Son Pak Fu chance to chase eighth Valley 1,200m success in loaded Class Two
Happy Valley will see Class Two action for the first time in three weeks on Wednesday night and a course-and-distance specialist entered the fray on Tuesday to make the Wan Chai Gap Handicap (1,200m) all the more interesting. With last-start Valley 1,000m winner Glory Elite scratched because of a tendon injury, Son Pak Fu was brought off the bench and given the chance to add to his seven career victories – all over 1,200m at the city circuit. Son Pak Fu's latest success came in a Class One over the Valley 1,200m in February, while he was fifth in the most recent six-furlong Class Two at the city circuit on March 19. The Tony Cruz-trained six-year-old carried 135 pounds in that fifth-placed finish and will again lump a big weight of 134 pounds, although the gelding should be given every chance to run on under Matthew Chadwick in a race that shapes to have plenty of pace. Last-start course-and-distance winner Harmony N Blessed will be one of the gallopers on pace as he looks to add to his fighting recent success, while Tomodachi Kokoroe – whose four Hong Kong wins have come over the Valley 1,200m – looks another with the potential to push forward. Son Pak Fu dives late to claim Copartner Prance! Tony Cruz's charge gets the Class 1 win under a supreme @mattLchadwixk ride at Happy Valley... 💥#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 26, 2025 But in a race littered with gallopers who come into their own over the city circuit's six furlongs – Aurora Lady, Gustosisimo, Wonder Kit, Kaholo Angel and Brave Star are also multiple winners at the track and trip – it is a couple of young gallopers stepping into unfamiliar territory who could prove hardest to beat. Trainer David Eustace is confident Colourful King will enjoy the step up in trip after impressing over the Valley 1,000m with two wins and a second, while Horsepower is rising in distance and grade after an eye-catching last-start success. 'This time we need to try 1,200m (because) at the moment there are no more 1,000m races at Happy Valley,' trainer Frankie Lor Fu-chuen said of Horsepower. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. 'I've trialled him once over 1,200m [and] he trialled good. I think he needs to relax in the early stages and then he can finish strongly. '[Zac Purton] said he was more relaxed now in the 1,200m trial. That's why I think he will handle 1,200m now.' In other news, the Jockey Club has granted Brenton Avdulla a 'leave of absence from Hong Kong for personal reasons,' meaning the Australian rider will miss the Valley meeting on June 11.
