Matthew Poon bags biggest win of his career in stunning upset on Straight Arron
Sent out a $34.5 chance, the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained Straight Arron ran on from second last to narrowly beat a luckless Galaxy Patch in a thrilling finish.
'That's why I am so excited after the line because this is my first Group Two, so I have got to thank the trainer Ricky and the owner [Karen Lo Ki-yan] for giving me their good support,' said Poon, who won a handful of Group Threes in the city before Sunday's stunning result.
'It's so great I can win on him. Before the race, I already had a feeling I can get something today, so really lucky and excited.'
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
Poon, a champion apprentice in South Australia before joining the Hong Kong ranks in 2017, expressed confidence to Yiu pre-race but the veteran handler was completely surprised by Straight Arron's first victory for the stable.
A two-time winner in Australia for Chris Waller, the Fastnet Rock gelding started his Hong Kong career with David Hayes before notching four wins – including the Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) and Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) – for Caspar Fownes.
'It was an unbelievable result – a big surprise,' said Yiu, who took over training Straight Arron at the end of last season.
'We were walking with the horse and [Poon] said to me 'I wouldn't be surprised if he finished in the first three. I said 'it would be a big surprise, especially over the trip'.'
In a messy race which saw the lead change hands three times in the first 800m, Straight Arron was out the back but out of trouble while Galaxy Patch was seemingly poised to strike in midfield on the rail.
It became a horror show for Galaxy Patch, with the $2.1 favourite held up badly and having to check off Red Lion's heels when Zac Purton went searching for a run in the straight.
Purton switched back towards the inside and Galaxy Patch made a late bid, but Straight Arron had the momentum from an unimpeded run to prevail by a head. Moments In Time was beaten half a length in third.
'The first half of the race didn't really suit him at the tail and over the mile, I thought it will be a touch sharp for him,' Yiu said.
'He still managed to run through on the rail with the jockey, 'Poon Train', and he had a good finish.'
Straight Arron continued a dream run for Lo, who celebrated Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) success in another upset with Cap Ferrat a week earlier.
Yiu said the six-year-old was more likely to join star stablemate Voyage Bubble in the Group One Champions Mile on April 27, rather than tackle the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) the same day.
Straight Arron also capped a double for the Poon and Yiu combination after they won the opening race on Sunday's card, the Class Four Severn Handicap (2,000m), with Mighty Strength.
Yiu moved to third on the championship standings with 35 wins this term.
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