The Hong Kong Racing Postscript: who's hot, who's not and the best of March

South China Morning Post

31-03-2025

Jockey Andrea Atzeni celebrates his win on Lifeline Express with trainer John Size and connections. Photos: Kenneth Chan
Another Hong Kong Derby was run and won, several jockeys continued to capitalise on Zac Purton's absence and a master trainer's surge at the top of the championship continued in what was a busy March.
The Post analyses the jockeys and trainers who had a month to remember or one to forget, as well as the most outstanding victory and winning ride.
Who's hot?
Andrea Atzeni was the big riser in the jockeys' championship in March, booting home 10 winners from 51 rides at a superb strike rate of 19.6 per cent to charge into third in the standings.
The Italian rider missed two meetings early in the month through suspension but returned with doubles at three consecutive meetings, before adding another brace on the dirt last week on his 34th birthday.
Birthday double! ✌️
Celebrating his 34th birthday, @Atzenijockey moves to 35 wins this term with a brace tonight at Sha Tin as John Size's Must Go claims a fourth dirt course victory... #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/FNqQunhVA2 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 26, 2025
Hugh Bowman maintained his healthy break from the pack in second place in the championship, adding nine winners from 64 rides at a 14 per cent strike rate.
From a trainer's perspective, John Size reigned supreme once again with an incredible 13 winners from 74 starters at a strike rate of 17.5 per cent. The 12-time champion Hong Kong handler started March one win behind title leader David Hayes, but now leads his fellow Australian by six.
Ricky Yiu Poon-fai was next best with seven wins, including Sunday's Group Two Chairman's Trophy (1,600m) with Straight Arron, to leap from fifth to third in the championship standings.
Owner Karen Lo Ki-yan also deserves a mention here – on back-to-back Sundays to end March, she won the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) with Cap Ferrat and the Chairman's Trophy with Straight Arron.
Who's not
March was no kinder than the previous month to Jerry Chau Chun-lok, who is carrying a winless streak of 71 rides after failing to hit the board again.
The young jockey had to settle for second six times in March, suggesting a drought-breaking success is not far away.
Karis Teetan ended his own big drought of 50 winless rides when he broke through on Ace Power at the Valley, but that was his only success of the month.
The Mauritian can count himself unlucky to not have notched more wins after racking up an astonishing 23 placings for the month.
In contrast to Size and Yiu's successful months, veteran handler Tony Cruz battled with just one victory – California Star on the dirt last week. Cruz had plenty of placings, including seven seconds, so he wasn't far off a better return.
Michael Chang Chi-wang also managed just one win in March.
Win of the month
The first race of March produced arguably the best debut winner of the season so far, with Justifying backing up his sizzling trial form to romp home down the straight.
After jumping quickly from barrier four to cross to the outside rail in front, the Caspar Fownes-trained gelding surged clear once Luke Ferraris asked him for an effort en route to a brilliant victory by three and three-quarter lengths.
Smashed 'em! 🔥
Justify gelding Justifying wins comfortably on debut at Sha Tin with @LukeFerraris and Caspar Fownes... #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/Osvhnp29u8 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 2, 2025
The son of Justify's win was just as impressive on the clock, running more than a second inside standard time when clocking 55.67 seconds over the 1,000m.
It has also proven to be a handy form race, with runner-up Super Strong Kid and third-placed Jumbo Treasure notching strong triumphs at their subsequent starts.
Ride of the month
Angus Chung Yik-lai deserves a lot of credit for California Star's miraculous triumph last week.
The reigning Tony Cruz Award winner took the $20 shot back to last and he was unbalanced when the maiden galloper laid into the inside rail near the 750m.
That's incredible, California Star! 😳
Tony Cruz's galloper makes an almighty run from last position on the fence with @angusylchung to grab a first win at Sha Tin... #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/zGEDkl59L1 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 26, 2025
Chung saved ground along the rail early in the straight before coming off the inside to make his way through the field.
He then had to switch back towards the inside to spear California Star through a tight gap between two rivals passing the 100m, finding room to launch a late run to score by half a length.
Bowman's winning mid-race move on M Unicorn at the Valley and James McDonald's pearler aboard Fast Network at the start of the month were also outstanding rides.