Latest news with #ClassFour
South China Morning Post
22-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ben Thompson rates Fallon and All's Well strong chances at Happy Valley
Fallon 'ticks all the right boxes' for Ben Thompson as the pair bids for a second course and distance success in Wednesday night's Class Three Roselle Handicap (1,800m) at Happy Valley. Trained by Tony Cruz, Fallon came with a surging late run to win over the Valley 1,800m three starts ago, comfortably beating Charity Gain in the process. He has remained in good form since, finishing runner up twice at the city circuit including last start when beaten a neck by Jumbo Legend in a Class Three over 2,200m. Charity Gain was again no match for him in those two runs, but he will need to turn around form with Beauty Alliance, who beat him by three and a half lengths before running below par in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m). Fallon gets a 10lbs swing on Beauty Alliance and that could make all the difference in a competitive race. 'He's in great form,' Thompson said. 'He's had a win and two seconds in his last three and he meets the same opposition he's been taking on. 'Whatever is to win that race, being such a strong field, needs everything to go right. He's really enjoying Happy Valley. 'To be back at Class Three 1,800 – his third time at the course and trip with a win and second at his previous two, he's ticking all the right boxes.' Thompson is also confident in the chances of All's Well, who bids to make it second-time lucky in the Class Four Geranium Handicap (1,000m). Dennis Yip Chor-hong's youngster made eye-catching late ground into sixth over the course and distance when sent off an unconsidered $20 outsider on debut this month. He has a much better draw on this occasion and Thompson is expecting an improved showing in what could be a frantic race. 'He backed up a really nice trial at Happy Valley with that good debut,' said Thompson. 'He's better drawn on this occasion, so hopefully that's what he needs to break through. 'There's nothing like race day, is there? Fully different pressure to what he previously felt there, but he coped really good, especially after he could have been vulnerable when the opposition had started their runs and most had a bit of a margin on him. 'He kept to the task and really rounded off well – better than anything else in the race. 'They're going to go lickety split, as they generally do over 1,000 at Happy Valley, but I think off nice trials leading into his debut and he's felt really nice and comfortable in his work since, he can run well. 'Hopefully a kind draw [barrier three] for his second time, it can be second-time lucky. 'In my short involvement with him, he's a horse that can travel quite strong, so I think the 1,000's a good fit for him.'
South China Morning Post
15-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Lyle Hewitson hopes Highland Rahy can elevate at Happy Valley, while Ricky Yiu cops a HK$75k fine
Highland Rahy breaks the Class Four 1,650m record at the Valley under Lyle Hewitson. Photos: Kenneth Chan Lyle Hewitson is hopeful Highland Rahy can dispel a class rise query when the in-form galloper chases a hat-trick at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. A winner at Gowran Park in Ireland pre-import, Highland Rahy took 13 starts to break his Hong Kong duck and made it back-to-back victories at the city circuit when eclipsing the Class Four 1,650m track record on his latest appearance. However, the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained gelding faces a tougher test rising to Class Three in Wednesday night's Chamomile Handicap (1,650m). He bumps into several proven performers in the grade, headlined by last-start winner Aestheticism and the consistent Embraces. Hewitson believes Highland Rahy has to elevate on his two all-the-way victories at the course and distance of Wednesday night's race. Strong win! 💪 Highland Rahy makes all in the Ireland Trophy at Happy Valley with @LyleHewitson for Francis Lui... 🏆#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 12, 2025 'I have my reservations of what he'll be like in Class Three but with that said, he's clearly started to acclimatise to Hong Kong as we've seen in his recent two runs,' Hewitson said. 'You can't take away from the fact that he's just run the class record last time out. It was a solid effort and I think one thing that will benefit him is being a strong galloper down in weight. 'There's a couple in there with chances and it's quite an open race. The difference between Class Three and Class Four for a horse like him is they are going to have a turn of foot and enjoy the pace that he sets, so it makes his task harder. 'But the fact he's got a lighter weight, he should be able to keep running. I think it will be a tough task, but I think he'll acquit himself well.' Highland Rahy drops 14 pounds to carry 118 and jumps from barrier seven. Of his other seven rides at the midweek meeting, Hewitson fancies the Lui-trained King Miles to run a bold race from gate nine in the first section of the Class Three Violet Handicap (1,200m). 'If I had to single one out on the night that can maybe take a step forward, it would be him,' Hewitson said. 'He's always getting bad barriers, always going back and looking quite good in the finish. I think we've got to start taking luck out of the equation and be more positive on him. 'He gives me a really nice feel. If he had an inside draw, I would think he'd be a leading chance. If he overcomes that, he could be one of the horses to keep an eye on.' Meanwhile, trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai was fined HK$75,000 on Monday for failing to ensure Dragon Air Force was free of any prohibited substance when he ran second on the Sha Tin dirt on February 12. An illegal level of omeprazole, which is used to treat gastric ulcers, was detected in Dragon Air Force's post-race urine sample. 'A comprehensive joint investigation conducted by Racing Security and Integrity Assurance and the stipendiary stewards, which included a detailed review of the stable close circuit television, interviews with stable staff allocated to Mr Yiu and a review of treatment and medication records, did not identify the cause of the detection of omeprazole in the post-race urine sample,' chief steward Marc van Gestel said in a statement. Dragon Air Force was disqualified from his second placing on February 12.
South China Morning Post
02-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Jumbo Legend passes first staying test as Caspar Fownes notches a Happy Valley double
Caspar Fownes credited his son Ronan and a top ride by jockey Harry Bentley for Jumbo Legend's fast-finishing victory on Wednesday night before Kaholo Angel sealed a double for the stable at Happy Valley. On his first test over further than 1,800m, Jumbo Legend ran on powerfully from eighth on the turn to beat equal $3.5 favourite Fallon by a neck in a tight finish. The six-year-old was a two-time winner at both 1,200m and 1,650m at the city circuit before passing his first staying test with flying colours. 'My boy told me [about this race], he said 'you've got to put this in the 2,200m',' Caspar Fownes said. Strong win, Jumbo Legend! 💪 Caspar Fownes' galloper picks up a first 2200m win at the Valley by denying Fallon in a thriller... @HarryBentley_ #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 2, 2025 'I said 'stop having a lend of me'. It was great. We nailed it and Ronan was good there, he felt the horse had a good pair of lungs and could do something [at the trip]. '[Jumbo Legend is] an honest horse. He ran a good race last start with a good sectional at 1,800m. It was a good finish – they were fighting down the straight and it was nice that we got the winning result.' After travelling smoothly four-back on the rail, Jumbo Legend was hooked out to the centre of the track by Bentley to launch his run at the top of the straight. The son of Hinchinbrook successfully chased down Fallon, who had raced to the lead just before the 150m. They raced well clear of the equal favourite Charity Gain, who was beaten three lengths in third. 'Stepping up in distance was a slight question mark,' Bentley admitted. 'I was happy with how he came into it and he relaxed beautifully. Fallon really stuck his head out and obviously the weight played a bit of a part, but take nothing away from this lad's victory.' Kaholo Angel relished a return to the city circuit when he chased down Happy Fat Cat to score by a head in the Class Three Kyoto Handicap (1,200m). The grey had run two seconds from his past five starts, which were all at Sha Tin. Kaholo Angel also handed Andrea Atzeni a double after he booted home Cody Mo Wai-kit's Crystal Powerful in the Class Four Japan Racing Association Trophy (1,000m). Kaholo Angel charges home to give Caspar Fownes double in the nightcap! A red-hot @Atzenijockey collects two of his own this evening at Happy Valley... ✌️#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 2, 2025 Elsewhere, Zac Purton notched his first Valley win since returning from injury on Aestheticism in the Class Three Tokyo Handicap (1,650m). Purton, who returned last Sunday after fracturing a toe on February 9, kept Aestheticism out of trouble and the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained gelding streaked home to land his first win of the season. 'The connections have been waiting for a Class Three win and it was great to have Zac back on,' Ng said after Aestheticism beat Definitive by a length and a half. 'It's been frustrating – he's sort of a horse that comes from the back and can be unlucky. Hopefully he'll get more mature and win more races in the future.' Richard Kingscote finished his Hong Kong stint on a successful note when he booted home Giant Leap in the second section of the Class Four Nakayama Handicap (1,200m). In town since mid-February as injury cover, the British jockey bagged his first success at the city circuit to go with a breakthrough treble on the Sha Tin dirt a week earlier. It was fitting that the last victory of his stint was for trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai, who supported Kingscote as he often does with new riders in Hong Kong. 'I'm really happy. Obviously tonight's my last night, so it's nice to get another one. I'm very grateful to Ricky and his team – they've supported me a lot since I've been here. It's good,' Kingscote said after Giant Leap got the better of Nebraskan by half a length.
South China Morning Post
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
SCMP Best Bets: Stable switch can Power veteran galloper to Valley victory
Wednesday's top tips from the Post's racing team Sam Agars POWER KOEPP - R3 (1) Should improve for Mark Newnham and has the tools to win in Class Four Jay Rooney BEAUTY DESTINY - R9 (5) Can handle the rise to Class Two dropping 10 pounds on latest win Trackwork Spy BEAUTY DESTINY - R9 (5) Looks set to continue his incredible form and notch a third straight win Phillip Woo M UNICORN - R7 (1) Has been building towards a win and gets a golden opportunity here Shannon (Vincent Wong) POWER KOEPP - R3 (1) Lines up for a new stable and looks ready to score with Hugh Bowman aboard Racing Post Online NINJA DERBY - R5 (12) Looks spot on after a good third at Happy Valley last time out Tom Wood FLYING FORTRESS - R7 (11) Big run last start when a close second, can go one better here
South China Morning Post
23-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
John Size takes lead in trainers' premiership with Sha Tin four-timer
John Size has surged to the top of the trainers' premiership with his first four-timer of 2025 at Sha Tin on Sunday. While he was forced to settle for placings in both of the afternoon's Group Ones, Size enjoyed victories with Sky Jewellery, Crossborderpegasus, Juneau Pride and Brilliant Express. The haul moved Size to 32 winners for the season and above David Hayes in the title race by virtue of having more seconds than his fellow Australian. It was Hugh Bowman in the saddle for the wins of Sky Jewellery and debut winner Crossborderpegasus, with the jockey atoning for his luckless last-start defeat on Sky Jewellery to celebrate his 200th Hong Kong win aboard the promising youngster. Super win, Sky Jewellery! 🚀 John Size's young gun secures a second victory to see @HugeBowman reach 200 career wins in Hong Kong... 🍾#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 23, 2025 The Australian ace made amends after Sky Jewellery was fourth as the $1.5 favourite at Happy Valley, when he was badly held up for clear running from the 250m to 100m. Biding his time near the tail of the field, Sky Jewellery stormed home in the straight to run down South Star by a neck in the Class Four Citigold Private Client Handicap (1,400m). 'He was obviously unlucky last start and he's shown a lot of potential,' Bowman said of the three-year-old, who is already being touted as a 2026 Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) prospect. 'Up in distance today was fine but he had to overcome [barrier 13] and he did it in style.' Bowman didn't have to wait long for his 201st victory in the city, with three-year-old Crossborderpegasus prevailing in the very next race, the Class Four Citigold Handicap (1,200m). 'He did enough to get home and that's the main thing. It was good,' Size said after Crossborderpegasus backed up his impressive trial form to beat fellow debutant Ahren by three-quarters of a length. After Brenton Avdulla booted Juneau Pride home in the Class Three Citi Wealth Advisory Services Handicap (1,400m), Alexis Badel delivered the goods aboard Brilliant Express in the Class Three Citi Insurance Services Handicap (1,400m). 'He's starting to work it out and there seemed to be no competition for the front today, so it looked like they gifted it to him,' Size said after Brilliant Express led throughout to notch his second consecutive success. John Size caps a treble! 🔥 The Master trainer wins his third race this afternoon as Juneau Pride is all out for victory with @brentonavdulla at Sha Tin...#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 23, 2025 'Still, he did it and he's run some time, so we'll go forward confidently.' Size confirmed Howdeepisyourlove will head to Dubai for the Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) down the Meydan straight on April 5. 'They ran well,' Size said after stablemates Helios Express, Howdeepisyourlove, Beauty Eternal and Red Lion filled the four spots behind Ka Ying Rising in the Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m). 'Those four horses seem to turn up all the time, but as is the case, we have dominant horses here in Hong Kong and they're expected to win and mostly they do. 'I think Howdeepisyourlove can go to Dubai. He looks OK for that.' Avdulla and Badel joined Bowman with doubles on the day, with Avdulla also snaring the Class Four Citi Ultima Handicap (1,600m) aboard Mister Dapper and Badel taking out the Class Three Citi Investment Services Handicap (1,200m) atop Triumphant More. Shinn works his Magic A patient ride by Australian jockey Blake Shinn helped Magic Control score his third victory down the Sha Tin straight in the Class Two Citi Private Bank Handicap (1,000m). Known for racing on the speed in his Hong Kong career so far, the Cody Mo Wai-kit-trained gelding settled second last under Shinn and launched a strong run down the centre of the track to easily account for James Tak by a length and a half. Smart sprinter, Magic Control! 🔥@blake_shinn's on the board early at Sha Tin as Cody Mo's speedster roars to a third win in Hong Kong ahead of a quality Class 2 field... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 23, 2025 'That wasn't the plan to sit back but the speed was fast and he wanted to settle and with the weight [135 pounds], he needed all the favours and we had a good run and he displayed a great turn of foot,' Shinn said. A Group Three winner when known as Archo Nacho in Australia pre-import, Magic Control added to his strong 1,000m record at Sha Tin which also includes seconds in the Group Three National Day Cup and Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy. Mo said the four-year-old would step back up to 1,200m in a Class One sprint on March 9, while the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) on March 30 is another possible target. Blowout victory leaves So smiling Punters were reeling early at Sha Tin on Sunday as Carryon Smiling left his trainer Chris So Wai-yin grinning from ear to ear with a knockout victory at $84.7 in the second section of the Class Four Citi Wealth Handicap (1,400m). The second-roughest winner of the season, Carryon Smiling broke his maiden at start six after an uninspiring start to his career. Carryon Smiling kicked off a superb day of racing action at Sha Tin with a shock 83/1 victory in the opener under @kdemelo01! 👏#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 23, 2025 'Well that was a big improvement,' said So after Carryon Smiling sliced through traffic from near the back of the field under Keagan de Melo. 'But for me, I thought he should run better. Two runs ago when he was sixth he was only beaten about three lengths and in his last trial you could see he was improving. 'Honestly, I think the horse needs further and he needs some equipment to help because Keagan said he is still very green.' It wasn't all doom and gloom for punters, with the following eight favourites winning on the 10-race card.
