Latest news with #BundleAward
New Paper
14-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
All hail King Size at his 13th HK crowning moment
HONG KONG John Size secured a record-extending 13th Hong Kong trainers' championship at Sha Tin on July 13 as the master trainer embarked on a familiar coronation march with a treble, further burnishing an extraordinary career. Size sealed the championship with the wins of Sight Dreamer, Raging Rapids and Bundle Award. That left the Australian with 69 wins for the season - beyond the reach of compatriot David Hayes (60), who has only eight entries in the nine races left at the July 16 season finale at Happy Valley. Nearing the end of his 24th season in Hong Kong, Size added to the previous championships he won in 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2022/23, and took his Hong Kong career tally to 1,612 wins - second overall to retired Australian John Moore (1,734). George Moore held the record for the most Hong Kong trainers' titles with 11 until he was joined in 2018/19 by Size, who has also finished second five times and third three times in the championship. Characteristically modest, Size, 71, was proud and reflective on securing his latest crown. "There's a lot of satisfaction in that (winning) and probably something I'm very grateful to achieve," said Size. "It's a very strong and stiff competition and so therefore you have to rise up to it. "As I've said before, I'm surprised that I've been so successful in Hong Kong. It's always been a test of whether I can keep performing at that level and, so far, I've been able to over 24 years and, God willing, and if my health is still okay, I can do it for a little bit longer." Rating Red Lion's Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1,600m) as the highlight of another glorious season, Size said: "That was a really good example of what can happen on a race track and that's what makes the game go round - the vagaries of racing, the uncertainties and the unpredictability of it. "Owners, trainers and jockeys should take some encouragement from those sorts of performances. It just proves it can be done if everything is right on the night. That was very satisfying." Likening the art of training to other sports and vocations, Size described the need to constantly improve as a "natural progression, it's evolution". "Like every business, every sport's the same, training racehorses is no different. You have to keep improving to keep up and you certainly have to be improving to stay ahead," he said. "If you're doing it for a long period of time, I think it's hard to stay in a good position for a quarter of a century. You don't see it every day. "So, I get some sort of gratification from that in my innovations and my attempt to keep up and stay ahead of the younger ones is working to some degree. "Every now and then, I change small things but my approach in general hasn't changed in training horses. But I have to adapt to different scenarios in order to keep winning and, even in 24 years, a lot of things change, so you have to adapt and I've managed to survive." Leading Hayes 66 wins to 60 at the start of the meeting, Size stretched the lead to seven when Sight Dreamer ($42) prevailed in the Class 5 Miraculous Handicap (1,400m) under Andrea Atzeni before Karis Teetan won aboard Raging Rapids ($71) in the Class 4 Medic Kingdom Handicap (1,400m). Bundle Award ($23) shunted Size further clear with a brilliant performance - clocking a searing 21.87sec for the final 400m - under Atzeni in the HK$4.075 million (S$664,000) Class 1 The Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy Handicap (1,600m) to ultimately seal the championship. Already crowned eight-time champion jockey on June 28, Zac Purton ended the Sha Tin season as he started it - with a quartet. The battle for the Tony Cruz Award for the leading homegrown jockey is set for a cliffhanger finish on Jul 16, after both Matthew Chadwick and Derek Leung sliced further into Matthew Poon's lead. With one meeting to go, Poon (36 wins) leads Chadwick (35) and Leung (34), after Chadwick triumphed on Chris So's Devas Twelve to land the Class 4 Pingwu Spark Handicap (1,400m). Leung followed suit on Jimmy Ting's Happy Universe in the Class 4 Solar Hei Hei Handicap (1,600m). HKJC
South China Morning Post
15-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Andrea Atzeni hoping Bundle Award can complete historic 2,400m double in Champions & Chater Cup
Andrea Atzeni will be hoping Bundle Award can become the first horse to parlay Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) success into Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) glory in the same season when he jumps aboard the progressive galloper for the first time next weekend. Victorious under Zac Purton in the recent Queen Mother Memorial Cup, the John Size-trained Bundle Award will join forces with Atzeni after Purton opted to lock in the ride aboard stablemate Ensued for the final Group One of the Hong Kong season. 'It's a good ride to get,' said Atzeni. 'He's a horse that stays the trip and he's only young. He's done nothing wrong so far and it's a really good ride. 'He won over the mile and a half the last day. I know they didn't go really quick and it turned into a bit of a sprint, but in these mile and a half races they never go a gallop here anyway, so it could set up very similarly and he's a horse who has quite a bit of speed. Stayer on the rise? 👀 Bundle Award outstays rivals to win the six-runner G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup over 2400m for @zpurton and John Size at Sha Tin! 🏆#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 4, 2025 'He stays but he's got quite a bit of pace, so if it turns into a bit of a sprint like it did the last day, it will suit him.' Atzeni will have his first sit on Bundle Award in a Sha Tin dirt trial on Friday morning, with superstar miler Voyage Bubble and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) winner Cap Ferrat also using the 1,200m hit-out as a stepping stone to the Champions & Chater Cup. Voyage Bubble, who is looking to sweep the Hong Kong Triple Crown, and British raider Dubai Honour shape as the horses to beat come May 25. 'Voyage Bubble has got to step up in trip, which is obviously a question mark, but with the class that he has, he probably doesn't need to stay to win it,' said Atzeni. The champ Via Sistina claims the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes with ease, equalling Winx's record of 7 Group 1's in a season! 🤩 What a mare!@cwallerracing | @mcacajamez | @YulongInvest | @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025 'Dubai Honour gets this trip very well and last time behind Via Sistina [in the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,000m) at Randwick], although he had a bit of a tough trip, he never gave up and kept going all the way to the line. He's a very smart horse.' Triumphant aboard the improving Crimson Flash at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, Italian jockey Atzeni heads to Sha Tin this Sunday with a full book of 10 rides as he chases the one victory he requires to notch a century of Hong Kong successes. Ng shows signs of life Pierre Ng Pang-chi was another to taste success at the city circuit's midweek meeting and it was a much-needed breakthrough for the third-season trainer. A runaway leader in the trainers' title for much of last season before being pipped by Francis Lui Kin-wai at a pulsating season finale, Ng also hit the ground running this campaign before hitting a brick wall in recent months. After enjoying a share of the premiership lead as recently as February, Ng has slid down to eighth on the table after managing only three wins in March and one in April. Cambridge is off the mark in Hong Kong! 🤝 Formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien, the Irish import was G3-placed at @LeopardstownRC before joining Pierre Ng's stable at Sha Tin... 🇮🇪 @JerryChau15 @AtTheRaces | #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 14, 2025 The victory of Cambridge on Wednesday night was Ng's first in 65 runners and six weeks – the longest drought among the training ranks. While it's well known how difficult it is to contend for titles in consecutive seasons in Hong Kong as horses rise through the ratings to unsustainable marks, Ng's drop off in form has been an alarming one. It will be interesting now whether he can build some late-season momentum or if he saves most of his bullets for another title push next campaign.
New Paper
13-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
May 14 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis
Race 1 (1,800m) 9 Yeaboi has been the victim of wide barriers in both runs this prep but has finished off strongly each time. This marks his first try at the course and distance and, though drawn in barrier 10, he does look ready to turn in a peak effort. 8 Mr Aladdin stuck on well from an awkward alley last time to hold second, though he remains a 21-start maiden. A win is within reach. 10 Leather Master broke through at his 20th attempt last start over this track and trip. The margin of over a length last start bodes well for his chances again. 2 Kingly Demeanor can bounce back at any time in Class 5, boasting two wins from eight attempts in the grade. He has early speed and can give a bold sight if he gets things his own way. Race 2 (1,000m) 7 Parents' Love has hit his straps this season, collecting three wins and six placings from 11 starts. His last run marked his first Class 3 attempt, which he took in his stride with a solid third. He looks likely to map well on the lead again and gets a genuine chance to pick up a win. 1 Stellar Express has trialled well and drops back in both trip and class - two factors that could bring out his best. 4 Seasons Wit bounced back to form last start, sitting wide throughout but still charging to finish second. If he can slot in with cover from barrier 1, he will be right in the mix. 5 Looking Bright is a newcomer who has trialled smartly, showing good gate speed. A forward showing first-up would not surprise. Race 3 (1,650m) 5 Midori Fuji has his fifth attempt in Class 4. He put the writing on the wall last start with a fast-finishing second to Happy Daily at this course and trip, suggesting he is close to breaking through. 1 Sunday's Serenade is chasing a hat-trick of wins and looking to maintain his unbeaten record at Happy Valley. Since switching from Sha Tin, the city circuit has clearly brought out the best in him. 10 Super Sicario has shown little on paper but has never drawn well in five starts. He has caught the eye at times and, with a more favourable gate and a rise in distance, he could improve sharply at odds. 12 Courier Magic's last start was moderate, but his earlier form was solid enough to warrant respect. From barrier 2, he can enjoy a sweet run in transit. Race 4 (1,650m) 5 Soleil Fighter returns to his pet track and distance, where he boasts an outstanding record of three wins and four placings from nine attempts. He was last seen resuming from a two-month break over 1,400m at Sha Tin in his first try at Class 2 level, and he turned in a very promising run, finishing runner-up to Invincible Shield. He looks well placed to go one better. 1 Helene Feeling looks primed to improve in a race of this nature following a string of solid efforts at Sha Tin, placing behind the likes of Bundle Award and Voyage Samurai. 4 Californiatotality won a strong Class 2 over 1,800m last time. He enjoys rolling forward and still appears to have points in hand. 3 Telecom Fighters is a hard horse to catch, but he will again be setting the pace and will take some running down if left alone in the lead. Race 5 (1,200m) 4 Sight Happy resumed from barrier 11 last time and was held up for a run in the straight, albeit checking in just under three lengths to finish seventh. Second-up from a much better draw, expect a more forward showing. 1 Galaxy Witness drops into Class 4 off a mark of 60. He has been running on well in recent starts and commands attention back in this grade. 3 Fortune Whiskey continues to race well this season since joining David Eustace. His last-start third showed he is still holding his form. 11 New Power has placed in three of his last five starts and is knocking on the door for another win. With his consistent form, he has to be around the mark again. Race 6 (1,200m) 8 Bienvenue is a 3YO who has shown ability. There was plenty to like about his first spin around the city circuit last time, when he closed strongly against the race shape, finishing a neck runner-up. 1 California Deeply drops to Class 4 and, while his recent form reads moderately, he has been close-up in better races. This marks a notable dip in opposition and he can improve. 5 Incredible Moment led throughout before being checked at the 100m and unbalanced, yet still finished a respectable fourth on debut. Fitness and experience should bring him on. 7 Harmony N Home was a winner two starts ago and backed it up with another solid effort when wide throughout last time. He remains a live chance. Race 7 (1,200m) 3 Swagger Bro drew an inside gate and finished a close-up third three starts ago while in his last two starts, wide barriers forced more negative tactics - yet he still closed off with purpose despite traffic issues. 7 Glory B draws perfectly in barrier 4 and has been a model of consistency this season. He again shapes as a solid hope with Hugh Bowman booked to ride. 10 Solar River comes off a strong effort where he led everywhere bar the line, collared late by Fatal Blow. With natural improvement and tactical speed, he remains a leading chance. 6 Beauty Thunder produced his best run yet last start with a neck-second over this course and trip. He is starting to hit his straps with racing, and a drop in the ratings can see him build on that effort. Race 8 (1,800m) 8 Joy Of Spring needs to race closer to the speed to boost his winning chances. Fourth-up at his preferred course and distance, he draws well enough to revert to those tactics. Wide alleys in his last two starts saw him snagged back and ridden for luck - both runs were strong late. 3 Excellence Value ran second at his first try over this course and distance last start. He has done little wrong in six local starts and shapes as a serious contender. 2 Rocket Spade resumed over the extended mile from barrier 11 and was taken back early before finishing strongly for second. That was a promising effort full of merit and sets him up well second-up. 9 Chain Of Gold is a hard horse to catch but his form reads well. He had little luck in running from wide gates at this track in his past two starts and closed off strongly for fifth last time. He is worth including at odds. Race 9 (1,200m) 2 Crimson Flash donned the blinkers for the first time on his fifth Hong Kong start and was ultra impressive, surging home from midfield to score dominantly. The 3YO has hit his straps and looks worth sticking with while the iron is hot, especially after a sharp trial. 1 Lucky Eight has been knocking on the door with a string of runner-up finishes, including back-to-back seconds to Beauty Infinity and Power Koepp. He deserves another chance and must be included. 3 Storm Rider has taken to Happy Valley well since being switched to this course and distance three starts ago, closing in hard on debut at the course and trip before consecutive seconds. With the right run, he will be in the thick of it again. 7 Northern Fire Ball is chasing back-to-back wins after collecting his second win from nine starts last time. He rises to Class 3 and, while this is another level, he is progressive, though some early pressure could test him. Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
New Paper
04-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Bundle Award swoops home late to post first Group win
HONG KONG - The progressive four-year-old Bundle Award might have earned a start at Group 1 level, after displaying an impressive talent to win the HK$4.2 million (S$700,000) Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2,400m) at Sha Tin on May 4. Triumphant at 1,400m and 1,800m at Sha Tin this year, the John Size-trained Bundle Award handled the rise to 2,400m with aplomb to defeat Noisy Boy (Jerry Chau) by a short head in 2min 29.72sec. Winning Dragon (Alexis Badel) was third another ¾ length away. While the winning margin was slender, there was a sense of inevitability about the outcome when the Bundle Award ($9) fanned to the outside of the six-horse field at the home turn under Zac Purton. The Shamus Award gelding accelerated from the tail of the field to power to the line in 21.67sec over the final 400m, as Noisy Boy resisted bravely and Winning Dragon also refused to yield. Bundle Award's performance leaves master trainer Size with the potential option of starting the gelding - the winner of three races in Australia, where he raced as Prince Prawn - in the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) at Sha Tin on May 31. "We'll see how he is. He's not rated up to that (Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup) at the moment, but let's have a look and see what's available for him," Size said of the 86-rater. "He's been really good for us and he's performed admirably today. It was a big job for him to go to another distance and still win. "It was hard to predict how they would run the race, but it probably was going to be a slow-run affair. "But, a long way from home, he looked like he might be able to win the race. It was just a matter of whether he was in the frame of mind to go on with it. "He's physically fine. I think he's just got to learn a little bit more about racing and a little bit more about how to win a race." Size last won the Queen Mother Memorial Cup with Dr Well in 2006, while Purton added to his wins in the race on Dominant (2013) and Exultant (2018) after his left foot was dislodged from the stirrup when the gates opened. "He came out sideways and banged the gate. It's my sore foot, so it's in a bit of pain," he said. "They went really slow, which was always going to play into my hands because he's got the best turn of foot of any horse in the race. "It became a sprint home. He had it won a fair way out but he just didn't know how to put them away. He did a good job." Bundle Award, who finished seventh to Cap Ferrat in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) on March 23, is the first horse out of this season's Classic to win a Group race. Size also combined with Purton for a double after Crossborderpegasus ($7) made it three wins from four starts in the Class 3 Gascoigne Handicap (1,200m). Tony Cruz swept to another towering milestone with a double at Sha Tin, taking his combined career haul as a trainer and jockey in Hong Kong to 2,500 wins. The six-time champion jockey rode 946 winners. His successes on May 4 with Liveandletlive ($48) - who earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million by winning the Class 3 Chatham Handicap (2,000m) under Angus Chung - and Winning Ovation ($33), who also snared a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million under Badel in the Class 3 Austin Handicap (1,400m), took his tally as a trainer to 1,554. "I'm very happy with that. It's great," said the two-time Hong Kong champion trainer. HKJC
South China Morning Post
04-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Bundle Award scrambles home for Group Three glory despite leaving Zac Purton ‘sore'
Aussie jockey has to overcome a bang to the foot leaving the stalls on his way to victory in the HK$4.2 million feature Zac Purton overcame some early adversity to scramble heavy favourite Bundle Award home in the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The $1.85 favourite gave his backers some early nervous moments when exiting the stalls sideways and forcing Purton's foot against the stalls, with the Aussie adjusting his stirrup soon after. Bundle Award sat last throughout the journey, stalking Noisy Boy as two of the three Tony Cruz-trained runners, Winning Dragon and La City Blanche, setting a very moderate pace in front. There was further frustration for Purton as he was forced wide into the straight, but Bundle Award – running over the trip for the first time – was always going to be dangerous off a slow pace and pounced late to deny a spirited Noisy Boy in the final strides. Stayer on the rise? 👀 Bundle Award outstays rivals to win the six-runner G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup over 2400m for @zpurton and John Size at Sha Tin! 🏆#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 4, 2025 'He came out sideways and banged the gate and it's my sore foot, too, so it's in a bit of pain,' said Purton in reference to the broken left big toe he suffered in a fall in February. 'They went really slow, which was always going to play into my hands because he's got the best turn of foot of any horse in the race. 'It became a sprint home. He had it won a fair way out but he just didn't know how to put them away. He's learning but he did a good job.' It was a third Queen Mother Memorial Cup victory for Purton, while trainer John Size was winning it for the first time since his breakthrough success with Dr Well in 2006. Seventh in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) in March, Bundle Award could now be set for the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) later this month. 'It was hard to predict how they'd run the race. It was probably always going to be a slow-run affair, but a long way from home it looked like he might be able to win the race,' said Size. 'It was just a matter of whether he was in the frame of mind to go on with it. Physically he's fine, I think he's just got to learn a little bit more about racing and a little bit more about how to win a race. 'He actually did that as soon as he walked into the stable – he looked like he was going to settle in pretty quickly and he won his first race pretty quickly after he was here. 'He's been really good for us and he's performed admirably today. It was a big job for him to do that – to go to another distance and still win. 'We'll see how he is,' added Size when asked about a potential run in the Champions & Chater Cup on May 25. 'He's not rated up to that at the moment, but let's have a look and see what's available for him.' The win capped off a good day for Size and Purton, who also won with the talented but quirky Crossborderpegasus in the Class Three Gascoigne Handicap (1,200m). Crossborderpegasus always travelled ominously well in mid-pack under Purton, but he hung badly right under pressure and forced Purton to win the race with both hands on his left rein. 'He's just a really difficult horse to ride,' Purton said of the Rich Enuff gelding. 'He's got bad habits and it's very hard to keep him straight and it might be better for him at 1,400m.' And trainer Size had some sympathy for Purton, who likely added some arm pain to the later bang to the foot in the feature. 'I haven't seen the head on, but I'm sure it was a bit uncomfortable for him,' said Size. 'Anyway, [Crossborderpegasus is] making progress and he's winning races, so we'll see how we go with him.'
