Avdulla picks up several rides from the injured Purton: ‘I'm busy there'
Magnifique and Spirit Of Peace among strong chances Australian rider gains from champion jockey
by Jay Rooney on Thursday, February 13, 2025 4:22 PM Jockey Brenton Avdulla has a strong book of nine rides on Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan
Brenton Avdulla hopes to make the most of several golden opportunities at Sha Tin on Sunday, with the Australian picking up multiple strong rides from the injured Zac Purton.
With Purton, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, Angus Chung Yik-lai and Keith Yeung Ming-lun out of action after last Sunday's falls at Sha Tin, Avdulla and a number of other rides have received increased opportunities for this weekend's 11-race card.
Avdulla hops aboard a pair of last-start winners for Purton – impressive debut victor Magnifique and Spirit Of Peace – as well as Classic Series prospect Bundle Award, Beauty Alliance, Magnificent Nine and debutant Laserblanca, who all shaped as likely rides for the seven-time champion jockey.
'I'm busy there,' Avdulla said of his Sunday book of nine rides.
'I've got a few young horses for John Size that Zac's been on. I don't know too much about them, but they look like they've got something.
'It's actually probably not my normal book – it's a book with a few of Zac's rides, so hopefully we can get a winner or two there.'
Magnifique tackles the first section of the Class Four Daisy Handicap (1,200m) after a strong victory on debut, scoring by a length down the straight last month.
However, Avdulla has been set a task on the David Hall-trained gelding from barrier 11 and under top weight of 135 pounds.
Spirit Of Peace, a last-start Happy Valley winner for Size, also has a wide draw in gate nine and top weight of 134 pounds to overcome in the second section of the Class Four Jasmine Handicap (1,400m).
Bundle Award is one of Avdulla's rides who has drawn ideally, with the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) entrant jumping from gate one in the Class Three Rose Handicap (1,600m).
Size's Australian import broke through at his third Hong Kong start with an impressive 1,400m triumph last month under James McDonald and he needs to win again on Sunday to boost his chances of making the Classic Cup (1,800m) field on March 2.
Beauty Alliance was an impressive Sha Tin winner in December and Magnificent Nine is still chasing his first Hong Kong success after six placings from 16 starts.
Laserblanca shapes as an intriguing first starter in the second section of the Daisy Handicap, with Size's three-year-old notching a victory and three placings from his four trials with Purton in the saddle.
Lo Rider, another Derby aspirant who was hampered by the three-horse fall last Sunday, is another pickup ride for Avdulla in the Class Three Marigold Handicap (1,800m).
Hugh Bowman has ridden the Irish import on his past two starts but will pilot Caspar Fownes-trained stablemate, Family Jewel, on Sunday.
Avdulla's other ride is The Golden Scenery in the feature of the day, the Class Two Heung Yee Kuk Cup (1,600m). — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 12, 2025
The 34-year-old, who has ridden 20 winners this season, is also excited to continue his association with Rubylot in the Classic Cup next month.
The David Hayes-trained gelding was forced back to near last from gate 10 in the Classic Mile and made late ground to run sixth to My Wish on January 31.
'I'm happy riding Rubylot. He ran well the other day and I think with a draw he would have gone close, so hopefully we can draw well over the 1,800m,' Avdulla said.
Avdulla guided Rubylot to victory on his previous two rides on the classy son of Rubick.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Britney Wong doubles up again at Sha Tin as Cheval Valiant leads them a merry dance
Britney Wong Po-ni landed consecutive Sha Tin doubles headlined by Cheval Valiant's all-the-way win in the Class Four Lai On Handicap (1,000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The 26-year-old smashed out of the gates on the Charm Spirit galloper and never looked back, crossing over to the stands rail from gate nine and setting comfortable fractions on the front end. When the pair were faced by a myriad of challengers in the final 200m, Wong galvanised her willing partner and gamely fended off $57 roughie Straight To Glory and $6.8 second favourite Lahore by a neck. It was the second straight double for Wong and the fourth consecutive winning meeting for the 10lb apprentice, who was teaming up with the horse that provided her with her first Hong Kong win back in September. Britney Wong grabs a double! ✌️ Cheval Valiant was the apprentice's first winner in Hong Kong last year and today she's back aboard @DJWhyteTrainer's galloper successfully at Sha Tin... #SummerSeries | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 8, 2025 'He was my first win and I know him very well,' said Wong of the Douglas Whyte-trained Cheval Valiant. 'Thank you to Mr Whyte for putting me back on because I had to chase this ride, actually, and I'm happy that everything has gone well today and I have had another win. I'm very happy.' There was a huge sting in the tail post race, however, with Wong copping a three-day ban and HK$15,000 fine for careless riding in the early stages. Earlier, Wong got the card off to the perfect start in combination with Manfred Man Ka-leung for the second consecutive Sha Tin meeting when Ruby Sailing was another gate-to-wire winner in the Class Five Chak On Handicap (1,200m). Ruby Sailing is not for catching! 🔥 Apprentice Britney Wong drives the Starspangledbanner gelding to a first win for Manfred Man at Sha Tin... #SummerSeries | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 8, 2025 It was a maiden victory at the 20th attempt for the son of Starspangledbanner, who showed tremendous early speed to lead from gate eight and never looked in danger of being caught. Wong got serious at the 400m pole and the pair surged into an unassailable lead, winning by one and a quarter lengths from fast-finishing $2.4 favourite King Oberon. Elsewhere, French ace Antoine Hamelin notched another timely winner thanks to Sky Prophet's upset win at $19.2 in the Class Five Chung On Handicap (1,400m). The Casper Fownes-trained four-year-old was made to work hard to get to the lead from barrier 13, but once there Hamelin controlled the fractions to a tee. Sky Prophet won't quit! 💥 Tough first win for the Caspar Fownes trainee at Sha Tin with @AntoineHamelin as he narrowly denies a rampaging Only U in a thriller... #SummerSeries | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 8, 2025 The pair looked vulnerable to Lapras turning in, but after fending off that rival in a protracted duel, they had just enough to scramble home ahead of the desperately unlucky $1.8 favourite Only U, who lashed home and only missed by a head after a torrid passage. 'It's nice to get a winner today – it's hot, but it's less hot when you win,' said Hamelin. 'I think the horse was in good form and didn't deserve to be so long in the odds. I believed in him [and] I thought he was a chance, the only concern was the draw. 'But he had a good start, he led, he controlled the race and he held that to the line.' Hamelin will depart Hong Kong and return to France at the end of this season, but he will be giving his all until the end of the season. 'I will just do my best to the end. It's hard to plan a target a month before I leave but I will just do my best and try to get as many winners as I can before I leave,' said the jockey.
RTHK
3 days ago
- RTHK
Postecoglou sacked by Spurs despite Europa League win
Postecoglou sacked by Spurs despite Europa League win Ending Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought was not enough to save Ange Postecoglou. File photo: AFP Ange Postecoglou was sacked as Tottenham manager on Friday, just 16 days after the Australian ended the club's 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League. Postecoglou led Tottenham to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao to clinch the north Londoners' first European prize in 41 years and secure a place in next season's Champions League. But the Australian paid the price for Tottenham's worst domestic season since they were relegated from the top flight in 1976-77. "Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties," a statement on Tottenham's official X account said. Exactly two years after he was hired from Celtic, Postecoglou's eventful spell in north London was brought to an end by chairman Daniel Levy. Tottenham lost 22 of their 38 Premier League games to finish 17th in the table, above only relegated trio Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton. "The Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the club for a change to take place," the statement said. "Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph." (AFP)
HKFP
3 days ago
- HKFP
Hong Kong hails ‘overwhelming support' for legalising basketball betting, proposes 50% levy on profits
The Hong Kong government has hailed 'overwhelming support' from scholars, athletes, and youth groups for its plan to legalise basketball betting in the city, following the conclusion of a one-month public consultation last month. Ninety-four per cent of the 1,063 submissions received by the government between April and May 'expressed support or positive views' on the proposal to regulate basketball betting under the Betting Duty Ordinance, according to a paper submitted by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau to the Legislative Council on Thursday. Those who supported the legal amendment said public demand for basketball betting has 'increased significantly,' and a regulatory regime can protect bettors' rights and interests. The government proposed in April to amend the ordinance to grant the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs the power to issue a basketball betting license to the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). The regulatory regime will mirror the existing one for football betting, the government said. In the paper released on Thursday, the government proposed imposing a 50 per cent levy on the net profits from basketball betting. Citing responses from supporters of the legislative proposal, the government said the HKJC may donate its additional revenue to welfare and charitable purposes. The tax revenue generated may also help the government allocate more resources on social welfare, supporters said, according to the government. Financial Secretary Paul Chan first unveiled the government's intention to regulate basketball betting during his 2025 budget speech in February. He said the legalisation could tackle illegal gambling and raise tax revenue amid the city's estimated deficit of HK$87.2 billion. The finance chief projected that regulating basketball betting could generate HK$1.5 billion to HK$2 billion in tax revenue. The government acknowledged on Thursday that 36 submissions – or 3.4 per cent of the responses collected – opposed the proposal. Those who objected raised concerns about the adverse impact of basketball betting on the youth, adding illegal gambling still existed after football betting was legalised. Responding to the concerns, the government said in the paper that the impact of betting activities on young people has been 'steady' in recent years. The proportion of bettors aged between 18 and 21 also 'consistently remained below two per cent,' the government said quoting the HKJC. Some suggested the government to prohibit individuals aged between 18 and 25 from placing bets online, while others proposed imposing restrictions on the amount and number of bets that can be placed by young people. The paper submitted on Thursday is set to be discussed by lawmakers on the Legislative Council's Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports on Monday. 'Disastrous move' In February, the Hong Kong Committee on Children's Rights criticised the government's plan to regulate basketball betting, saying that giving a green light to basketball betting was a 'disastrous move.' The group said popularising sports betting could 'lure' young people to bet with their limited financial resources that should otherwise go to other needs. Gambling loss may also result in psychological pressure and guilt, which may deter individuals from seeking help, it said, warning that gamblers could enter a 'vicious cycle' where they turn to lending agencies or engage in criminal activities.
