Only Da Best for Chris So's Sunny as Ryan Moore jumps aboard
Ryan Moore heads out to trial Sunny Da Best at Sha Tin last week. Photos: Kenneth Chan
Chris So Wai-yin hopes he can help Ryan Moore finish his flying Hong Kong stint on a winning note when the pair combine with Sunny Da Best at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
One of a string of jockeys in town as cover for the injured Zac Purton and Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, Moore landed two winners at the city circuit last Wednesday before having to settle for three placings from his nine rides at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Moore has a full book of nine mounts this Wednesday and one of his leading chances looks to be Sunny Da Best in the Class Three Kwoon Chung Bus 60th Anniversary Cup (1,200m).
'When we knew Ryan was coming I asked him if he was interested straight away. He read the form and got back to me saying he'd love to ride him,' said So of the star British jockey, who replaces Purton aboard Sunny Da Best.
Zac Attack strikes! ⚡️
Sunny Da Best is much the BEST for a second Hong Kong win for Chris So at Sha Tin... @zpurton #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/2maS7zREMo — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 12, 2025
Victorious in one of five starts this season, Sunny Da Best was a close second on Class Three debut last start and he now faces another new challenge after racing exclusively at Sha Tin in his first 10 career starts.
'I think Happy Valley might be more suitable for him – he trialled there and trialled nicely,' said So of Sunny Da Best, who was second in a 1,200m Valley trial back in October.
'He handled the track in that trial and at Happy Valley, the pace is faster in the early stages, which should suit him.'
Sunny Da Best's most recent trial came under Moore on the Sha Tin dirt last week, with the four-year-old hitting the line with enough vigour to ensure So heads into the midweek meeting confident.
'He had a soft trial under Ryan and I was happy with it,' said the trainer.
'Everything is good, his condition is good and his gallops in the morning are good. Draw seven is not too bad with Ryan riding and the horse has been running well.'
Sunny Da Best locks horns with the likes of Young Emperor, who won on Hong Kong debut in October but hasn't been seen since running eighth in November, Francis Meynell, Golden Empire and Romantic Son.
So, who sits five wins short of 400 Hong Kong successes as a trainer, also saddles up Golden Fairy, Inno Century, Devas Twelve, Colourful Winner and Owners' Praise at the season's 51st meeting.
Moore's book features a couple of other last-start placegetters who could go one better on Wednesday – Golden Rise in the Class Four Kwoon Chung Macau Limousine Rental Services Handicap (1,200m) and Beauty Alliance in the Class Four Kwoon Chung Inclusive & Accessible Service Handicap (1,800m).
Both of those rides are for John Size and Moore will no doubt be keen to deliver the goods for Hong Kong's 12-time champion trainer after failing to return a winner from six rides for the 70-year-old on Sunday.
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