Richard Kingscote brings Hong Kong stint to life with slashing breakthrough treble
Richard Kingscote brought his Hong Kong stay to life in some style at Sha Tin on Wednesday night, tasting his first success in the city on his way to a slashing treble just a week before he heads home.
In town since mid-February as injury cover, British jockey Kingscote had been winless through the first 31 rides of his short-term stint before banging in three victories from just three rides at the all-dirt meeting.
'It's a big result. Obviously time was running out to ride some winners,' said Kingscote, who has three rides at Sha Tin this Sunday before concluding his contract at Happy Valley next Wednesday.
'I'm delighted. Things have been building with a bit of momentum and the support of some trainers. It's been great.
Chill Kaka runs away with it and @RKingscote is now a winner in Hong Kong! The 2022 Epsom Derby-winning rider teams with Ricky Yiu on the Sha Tin dirt... 🇬🇧@AtTheRaces | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/TfCZ4UZvP4 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 26, 2025
'I've been lucky with draws tonight and horses that are capable, so I think that was a big help. [Hong Kong racing is] very competitive but I've really enjoyed it. Hopefully they'll let me come back.'
Kingscote got the ball rolling by spearing Chill Kaka to a comprehensive victory in the second section of the Class Four Peacock Handicap (1,650m).
Kingscote had been around the mark on a number of occasions before his breakthrough aboard Chill Kaka, including a runner-up effort aboard the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained galloper over the dirt 1,200m earlier this month.
Taken back to last before slicing up the inside on that occasion, Chill Kaka travelled just off the leaders on Wednesday night before surging into the clear upon straightening and zipping to a three-and-three-quarter-length success as the $4.45 favourite.
'It was a very strong run the last day. The winner got away from us that day but today was much smoother,' said Kingscote, who was the British All-Weather Champion Jockey in 2020-21.
'We got a good break from the stalls and travelled around very well. I was pretty confident coming into today with him. I'm very grateful to connections for letting me ride him.'
Kingscote then produced the goods for countryman David Eustace in the first section of the Peacock Handicap, peeling $9.95 chance Fashion Legend off the back of the leaders in the straight and driving him to a one-and-a-half-length victory.
Kingscote completed the job aboard Yiu-trained debutant Rising Force in the first section of the Class Four Kestrel Handicap (1,200m), with the three-year-old powering home to salute by two lengths.
THREE FROM THREE! 🔥@RKingscote caps a treble from only three rides tonight at Sha Tin as debutant Rising Force dazzles for Ricky Yiu... @AtTheRaces | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/7rECLjsKyD — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 26, 2025
Sent off the $3.55 favourite after winning a recent trial on the Conghua all-weather track, Rising Force travelled nicely behind the speed before producing a finish that suggested he should have plenty more to give.
Yiu, who has made a habit of helping incoming riders get off the mark, moved to 33 winners through 57 meetings of the 2024-25 campaign thanks to his double.
Elsewhere on the final all-dirt card of the season, Cheer For South and Must Go delivered Italian jockey Andrea Atzeni a birthday brace.
Cheer For South broke his maiden at start 23 in the first section of the Class Five Spoonbill Handicap (1,200m) before Must Go prevailed in the Class Three Egret Handicap (1,200m) to close out the card.
Now that's how you celebrate your birthday! 🎉
Cheer For South is an emphatic winner for the birthday boy @Atzenijockey at Sha Tin... @FCLOR_RACING @AtTheRaces | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/eu8H6QMNYJ — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 26, 2025
'It's nice to win on my birthday,' the Italian said. 'It was nice for [Cheer For South] to put his head in front – he's been threatening and just needed for things to go right.'
Cheer For South wasn't the only long-time maiden to taste success at the midweek meeting, with Yoda's Choice breaking through at start 19 in the Class Five Swan Handicap (1,800m).
Angus Chung Yik-lai was the other jockey to enjoy multiple successes on the night, with the 28-year-old leaving punters reeling with a 1,154-1 double.
After snaring the second section of the Kestrel Handicap with $20 pop California Star, Chung led throughout atop rank outsider Telecom Fighters ($57.75) in the Class Three Flamingo Handicap (1,650m).
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