Latest news with #BlazingWukong
South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Blazing Wukong lights up turf for Ricky Yiu as Andrea Atzeni raises bat at Sha Tin
Blazing Wukong and Andrea Atzeni get up in the nick of time at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan Classic Series assignments could await the promising Blazing Wukong after his taking debut win in the Class Four The Hilltop In The Valley Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Going off at $5 on the back of some interesting trials, Blazing Wukong was settled towards the back early on under Andrea Atzeni and looked to be going nowhere quickly when racing greenly at the 400m pole. As the leaders began to tire, Atzeni managed to galvanise his willing partner and the pair burst through between horses to grab Wonderstar approaching the line, ultimately winning going away by half a length. It was a performance that left trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai with plenty of hope that he has a good one on his hands. Impressive debut, Blazing Wukong! 👏 Ricky Yiu's Toronado gelding charges to a smart first-up win as @Atzenijockey registers his 100th victory in Hong Kong... 🍾 #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 18, 2025 'He was second-last and to make up that amount of ground in the straight – he has a huge stride and responded well,' said Yiu. 'I've always been a believer that he will do well – he will get a mile. 'This year he'll stay in this class, we only won by half a length.' There were plenty of reasons for Atzeni to smile too, with the Sardinian bringing up his 100th Hong Kong winner on Blazing Wukong. 'It's great to get to that number. I didn't realise I was that close,' Atzeni said. 'I had obviously forgotten the three winners I had ridden 10 years ago. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. 'To get to 100 is pretty good. It's great to do it with Ricky and owner Jason Chan [Kam-kwan] is a good friend of mine. I've ridden Nimble Nimbus for him and this horse is a nice one.' Tsuen Wan Glory is far too good with Britney Wong in the opener at Sha Tin! #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 18, 2025 Earlier on Sunday, Britney Wong Po-ni and Manfred Man Ka-leung burst out of the barriers to steal away the first two races on the card. Their perfect start began with Tseun Wan Glory's comfortable success in the Class Five Celebrating Timeless Tradition Handicap (1,400m). Wong stalked leader Happy Tango down the back straight and turning into the lane, she pounced and drove her mount into an unassailable lead. Things got even better just 30 minutes later when Patch Of Watch was given an expertly judged front-running ride to fend them all off in the Class Five Ownership Pride Handicap (1,200m). Britney Wong wins the first two races! 🔥 Our apprentice grabs an eighth victory on the dirt course this season as she guides Manfred Man's Patch Of Watch to a second career success... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 18, 2025 Wong crossed over to the rail early from gate nine on the I Am Invincible galloper and never looked back, with the jockey still swinging on the bridle turning into the home straight. In a race where few got involved, Wong kept up the gallop and held off Hinokami Kagura by two lengths. It continued a solid season for apprentice Wong, who heaped praise on Man for all the chances she has been given. 'Very good double to start off the day,' Wong said. 'I'm grateful for all the opportunities Manfred has given me. It was all smiles for Britney Wong and Manfred Man after their double. '[Patch Of Watch] has matured a lot. He has always had ability but he was mentally immature and not quite settled but now he knows what his purpose is in Hong Kong.' Man was quick to return the compliment to Wong, who now sits on 16 wins for the campaign. 'It's been over a year [since Tsuen Wan Glory last won]. He carried no weight – he had 116lbs minus 10lbs for Britney's claim. The 10lbs off made the difference,' said Man.
South China Morning Post
17-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ricky Yiu unveils debutant Blazing Wukong ahead of Triple Crown bid with Voyage Bubble
Ricky Yiu (centre) is confident Blazing Wukong will figure prominently on debut on Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan Veteran handler eyes first-up victory with smart trialler a week before Group One bid with stable star Gearing up for his shot at Triple Crown history with Voyage Bubble next week, Ricky Yiu Poon-fai will unveil an intriguing newcomer in Blazing Wukong at Sha Tin on Sunday. The veteran handler has stable star Voyage Bubble on track for the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) on May 25, with the four-time Group One victor bidding to join River Verdon as the only winners of Hong Kong's Triple Crown. But first, Yiu will take a seven-strong team to Sha Tin on Sunday including debutant Blazing Wukong in the Class Four Hilltop In The Valley Handicap (1,200m). The Toronado three-year-old has shown promise in his five trials at Conghua, including a pair of fast-finishing seconds on turf and a closing third on the dirt in his latest hit-out. 'He's a pretty straightforward sort of a horse,' Yiu said. 'He's had [five] trials before having his first start and his trials have been promising. The feedback on this horse is positive. He's good as gold.' Blazing Wukong has drawn barrier eight for his race debut, with Andrea Atzeni booked for the ride. While the newcomer has generally raced off the speed in his trials, Yiu is happy to let Atzeni make the call on race tactics. 'I'm going to leave it to the jockey. It depends on how quick they go. I don't want to force him or tie him down to any riding instructions, he's a young horse,' Yiu said. Voyage Bubble tuned up for his @StanChart Champions & Chater Cup test with a barrier trial this morning as he aims to become Hong Kong's second #TripleCrown winner EVER! 🏆 📍 Sha Tin, 25 May | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 16, 2025 Blazing Wukong carries the black, red and yellow colours of owner Jason Chan Kam-kwan, who races Group Three winner Nimble Nimbus with Yiu. The unexposed galloper strikes a winnable race to start his career, with debut runner-up Rainbow Seven and last-start third placegetter Club Ace boasting the strongest recent form. Joyful Friendship, The Concentration, Rising Force, Volcanic Spark, Jolly Ruler and Winning Data are the other Sha Tin runners for Yiu, who was pleased with Voyage Bubble's closing fourth under Matthew Poon Ming-fai in a dirt trial on Friday. 'After this trial, we'll just keep him as happy as possible and keep him ticking over until race day,' Yiu said.
