Matthew Poon targets maiden Tony Cruz Award: ‘We can all be proud of our efforts'

South China Morning Post

7 days ago

The 31-year-old holds a slender one-win lead over Matthew Chadwick in the race to be leading local rider
Matthew Poon Ming-fai 'can't wait' for Wednesday night as he bids to hold off Matthew Chadwick and Derek Leung Ka-chun and win his first Tony Cruz Award at Happy Valley's season closer.
The 31-year-old sits on the 36-win mark for the campaign, one clear of Chadwick and a further victory ahead of Leung in pursuit of his maiden local riders' premiership.
After he fired a blank at Sha Tin on Sunday and both his rivals took advantage and drew one win closer, Poon sits in a precarious position heading into the final meeting of the season at Happy Valley.
He is not feeling the pressure, however, and is looking forward to doing the locals proud in what should be a rousing finish to the campaign.
'I think it's a really good competition and a good motivator for all of us, too,' said Poon. 'We all try to get the best results that we can, so I think Wednesday will be a great night and I can't wait.
'I think that whatever the result, we can all be proud of our efforts and do the local riders proud, too.'
Poon's biggest chance of a winner at the city circuit is the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained Copartner Fleet in the Class Three Sun Jewellery Handicap (1,200m).
The Nicconi galloper went agonisingly close on debut at Sha Tin in May when sent off the $1.8 favourite but made no mistake a month later, winning the Class Four Beas River Handicap (1,200m).
He made all in grand style that day and although stall nine is not ideal on Happy Valley debut, Poon is hopeful of a big run from his mount.
Domination at Sha Tin! 😤
Copartner Fleet gets off the mark in emphatic style and shapes as a 3YO with a big future racing in Hong Kong... @zpurton #SummerSeries | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/pA3EbftquJ — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 28, 2025
'He's only had the two runs and has a bit of a wide draw, but he has a light weight and has some gate speed to overcome it,' said Poon.
'This is tougher than last time, but I hope he can be OK with the step up to Class Three.'
Poon will also reunite with Leslie in the Class Four Super Oasis Handicap (1,650m), a horse he finished second on at Sha Tin last time.
That was on the dirt and he was drawn widest of all in gate 13, so it is easy to upgrade that effort and Poon is looking forward to pairing up with him again.
'I think he ran super last start – he had a wide draw but made up lots of ground behind the winner,' Poon said. 'Hopefully this time he can get a good position and I believe he can run well.
'He's won at the track before early in his career over 1,200m, but he is better now at 1,650m so I think Happy Valley will be OK for him.'
Poon also rides Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained Happy Valley debutant Circuit Victory in the Class Four Fast Most Furious Handicap (1,200m).
He has been kept exclusively to Sha Tin in 13 career starts and was a winner there three starts ago, before two near misses in subsequent starts.
'He has run well in his past two starts since his win – he doesn't have massive gate speed but hopefully a good draw will help put him in a good position. He just needs a bit of luck,' Poon said.