Matthew Poon shakes off barren month to bring personal-best season back into focus

South China Morning Post

09-05-2025

Matthew Poon is back in form after two winners in the past week. Photos: Kenneth Chan
Matthew Poon Ming-fai finished March on top of the world before crashing back down to earth during a barren April, but the wheels are very much turning again for 'The Poon Train'.
Poon's career-best victory aboard Straight Arron in March 30's Group Two Chairman's Trophy (1,600m) was his 29th of the season.
With 30 meetings remaining in the campaign, the 31-year-old had every right to be aiming high as he set his sights on sailing past his previous personal-best campaign of 37 winners.
Awaiting in April, however, was a 75-ride run of outs that tested Poon's resolve and had him wondering whether he'd trouble his personal best after all.
Matthew Poon wins his first Group 2! Straight Arron returns to form in the Chairman's Trophy at Sha Tin for Ricky Yiu... 👏#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/uGu344xq15 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 30, 2025
'April was a tough month but I just stayed positive. I tried not to overthink things and I just stayed positive,' said the jockey. 'May started and I had a bit of luck and hopefully there is more to come.'
After snapping his drought aboard $10 chance Ka Ying Superb at Sha Tin last Sunday, Poon was in the winners again at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, lifting Keefy home at $19.
Now, with 19 meetings to go and Poon sitting on 31 victories, that number 37 has come into focus again.
'That's my little target for the rest of the season. I will do my best. I will stay focused and hopefully I can beat my personal best,' said Poon, who hopes to ride Straight Arron in the final Group One of the campaign, the Champions & Chater Cup, on May 25.
Poon has eight chances to add to his win haul and consolidate his seventh-placed standing in the jockeys' premiership at Sha Tin on Saturday, with Lady's Choice one galloper heading to the campaign's 70th fixture in strong form.
A Class Three winner under top weight two starts ago, Lady's Choice handled his return to Class Two company with aplomb to finish a close second behind Gustosisimo on April 13.
Both of those efforts came at the same course and distance as Saturday's Class Two Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap (1,200m), where Lady's Choice will need to be on his game against a crack field featuring the likes of Fast Network, Bottomuptogether, Wunderbar and Invincible Shield.
'He's quite a consistent and honest horse. I believe in him and hopefully he can put up his best performance. The field is strong but I think he's a chance if he does his best,' said Poon, who rides Lady's Choice for the first time on race day.
Knockout win! Lady's Choice can't be caught for Derek Leung and Michael Chang at Sha Tin... #4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/C2SUAUXIYA — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 23, 2025
Another last-start runner-up among Poon's arsenal is Spangle Fortune, who will look to go one better in the Class Four Pok Fu Lam Public Riding School Handicap (1,650m) on the dirt.
'He's not getting any younger but he's held his fitness well. I've galloped him since his last race and I feel like he's still healthy and not tired, so hopefully he can get another win under his belt,' said Poon of Spangle Fortune.
Casa Legend, Call To Command, Time To Fire, Flying Double, Allcash and Meowth round out Poon's book.