Latest news with #ChrisSo
South China Morning Post
17 hours ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Lok Golf steps into the unknown: ‘If you never try, you never know'
Chris So-trained galloper's winning streak goes on the line at Happy Valley this Wednesday night Hong Lok Golf will put his winning streak on the line when he faces a tricky test on Happy Valley debut this Wednesday night. Victorious in five of six career starts – all at Sha Tin – including the past three on the bounce, Hong Lok Golf will step into unfamiliar territory for the Class Two Cheung Sha Handicap (1,650m). Fresh from a successful Sha Tin Sunday thanks to the victory of Perfectday, trainer Chris So Wai-yin is confident his stable star will take to the city circuit despite having never even trialled there. 'We didn't have too many options for him but owner [Jackie Wong See-sum] really wanted to race him again, so we picked Happy Valley,' said So. HONG LOK GOLF makes it five from six! 🔥 Chris So's rising star continues his red-hot form with a Class 2 win at Sha Tin under @HarryBentley_!# — Hong Kong Racing (@HongKong_Racing) May 4, 2025 'It seems like he will handle the track but we don't know yet – we have to take a chance. If you never try, you never know. 'I told the owner that many things are unknown but he said 'we have to try'. I think it might suit him.' So was thrilled to see Hong Lok Golf draw barrier four for his first appearance at the tight-turning Valley track, ensuring regular jockey Harry Bentley has options. 'It's a small field and having that good draw is most important. The horse is flexible – he can go in front or come from behind – and his form is still good,' said So of Hong Lok Golf, who coasted into second in a recent dirt trial. 'His trial was OK. It was just a soft trial and he looked good.' After Hong Lok Golf's most recent victory in a Class Two on May 4, So put May 31's Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) on the table for his galloper. Four wins from five starts! 🤯 Hong Lok Golf just keeps getting better as Chris So lands a 400th Hong Kong win as a trainer... 👏 @HarryBentley_ #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 13, 2025 He eventually decided against throwing the son of Grunt in the deep end in a race won by Pray For Mir from 17lb out of the handicap. Cody Mo Wai-kit's charge, who Hong Lok Golf defeated in that Class Two in early May, was hit with a 21-point ratings hike for his troubles. Should Hong Lok Golf win again on Wednesday night and lift his rating well into the 90s, however, So will consider backing him up in the Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m) at Sha Tin on June 22. 'For the Group Three on the 31st, the handicap was no good for us. Cody's horse went up 21 points. That's no good – it's tough to win again,' said So. 'Maybe, we will see [whether we go to the Premier Plate] – let's see how he runs this week first. I want to give him a chance to run at Happy Valley and then we will see. 'I think the 1,650m is suitable for him now but eventually he may need further.' Hong Lok Golf is one of four runners for So at the fourth-last Valley meeting of the season. He also saddles up Young Striker, Our Lucky Glory and Know At Heart.
South China Morning Post
15-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Chris So dealt mixed bag of barriers for seven-strong team at Sha Tin
Trainer Chris So and jockey Zac Purton will team up with Pakistan Legacy and With A Smile at Sha Tin on Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan Armed with a strong team of seven runners at Sha Tin on Sunday, Chris So Wai-yin was left with mixed emotions after Pakistan Legacy drew ideally in barrier three but three of his other prominent chances copped wide gates. Closing in on his first Hong Kong success after two seconds from four local starts, Pakistan Legacy was dealt a sweet draw for the Class Three Beas River Country Club Handicap (1,200m) after jumping from 11 last start when fifth to the reopposing Moduleconstruction. While So was thrilled with the Australian import's improved draw, the 56-year-old rued double-digit gates drawn by last-start winner With A Smile (13), Mask Rider (10) and Winning Gold (10). Unbeaten from two pre-import starts, Pakistan Legacy has run close seconds to Super Legends and Lady's Choice and was forced to settle further back than expected from barrier 11 last start. He had made up late ground to finish two lengths behind Francis Lui Kin-wai's Moduleconstruction, who must overcome a wide draw in 11 on Sunday and a 6lbs swing in favour of Pakistan Legacy. Pakistan Legacy (left) finishes a close second to Super Legends on his Hong Kong debut. 'I was hoping for a good draw,' So said. 'Zac [Purton] always sticks with him. He thinks the horse is OK and the owner is good friends with Zac. 'The horse has run very well, he just needs some luck. He's healthy and everything's all right.' 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. So, who has prepared 29 winners this term, will also be relying on Purton's magic to help With A Smile overcome his wide gate in the Class Four Sha Tin Clubhouse Handicap (1,400m). Purton was aboard for the Merchant Navy three-year-old's maiden victory last start, when he shrugged off a wide run without cover from barrier 12 to narrowly score over 1,400m at Sha Tin. With A Smile strikes for a @zpurton double! ✌️ Chris So's impressive Merchant Navy 3YO breaks through for a first win at his fourth start at Sha Tin... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 13, 2025 'I think after his last run, he's still improving,' So said of With A Smile, who broke through at start four. 'Zac sticks with him and I think the horse is up-and-coming. Let's see.' With A Smile jumps 7lbs on his last-start triumph to carry equal top weight of 135lbs. Another Australian import, Mask Rider, chases his second win in the city in the Class Three Members Cup (1,200m) on dirt after scoring first up in January. The Justify gelding has only registered one placing in four subsequent runs, but he had excuses last time out when sixth to Must Go after being trapped wide throughout from barrier nine. Mask Rider (centre) wins a recent dirt trial under Britney Wong. 'He's another one that needed a good draw,' So said. 'Britney [Wong Po-ni] has won a lot of races on the dirt and we asked her to ride him again. His last run was good and hopefully we get some luck.' Winning Gold has been hampered by wide draws since scoring on objection over Sky Trust in February. James Orman will again ride the four-time winner in Sunday's final race, the Class Three Shenzhen Centre Handicap (1,600m). 'He's very competitive – every race, he never disappoints,' So said. 'Hopefully he can win a Class Three, but they are all strong.' Protest upheld! Sky Trust crosses the line first, however, it's Winning Gold and @KarisTeetan who lift the finale... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 9, 2025 Hinokami Kagura, Firefoot and Fortune Racer are the other runners on Sunday for So, who continues to weigh up whether to set emerging stable star Hong Lok Golf for the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) on May 31. 'He will run again, but there aren't many races for him,' So said of the five-time winner from six starts. 'There is the Group Three on May 31. We'll get him ready and the other race would be at Happy Valley, but we have to discuss with the owner. 'The horse can race forward, so I think Happy Valley would also suit him.'
