Latest news with #ClassThree
South China Morning Post
05-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Mark Newnham confident of ending Happy Valley card in style with in-form gallopers
The 57-year-old handler has a pair of horses backing up off last-start victories at the city circuit on Wednesday night Mark Newnham is hoping to keep the good times rolling with last-start winners Fatal Blow and Casa Rochester at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Casa Rochester runs in the Class Three Deauville Handicap (1,650m) off the back of shedding his maiden in very comfortable fashion over course and distance one month ago. Settled out the back, his rider Hugh Bowman made stealthy progress through the middle of the pack on the final bend and once in the clear, he charged home to get up by a nose. The winning margin didn't do the victory justice, however, and Newnham is confident his improving galloper can get the job done again with Lyle Hewitson back in the saddle. TREBLE for @HugeBowman! 🔥 Casa Rochester just salutes for a first Hong Kong win at Happy Valley over Quantum Patch for Mark Newnham...#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 9, 2025 'It was a cosy win last time in a lower grade but his previous run in Class Three he was competitive,' said Newnham. 'With that in mind, I'm not worried about the rise in class for him. 'He's got a good draw, which is always a big positive at Happy Valley, and he's going to run a big race.' Newnham's evening could get even better just 35 minutes later when Fatal Blow also bids to back up a course-and-distance win in the card-closing Class Three Parislongchamp Handicap (1,200m). Fatal Blow has thrived over the Valley 1,200m for Newnham this season, winning on his second start by a short head after showing a really game attitude. Fatal Blow lands the final stroke! Mark Newnham makes it a Happy Valley double as @LukeFerraris gets a first for the evening... ✌️#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 16, 2025 He disappointed in two subsequent outings, but he was back on track after a three-month break when flashing home to salute in Class Four company and he will be having just his sixth Hong Kong start on Wednesday. Newnham has paired him with in-form jockey Andrea Atzeni and is hopeful of another big run from his unexposed four-year-old. 'He's a lightly raced and improving horse,' said Newnham. 'He's been pretty solid since he arrived and he was impressive at the Valley last time. 'I think this is a nice race to introduce him to Class Three racing. Whether he takes a race or two to get there in this company, we'll find out, but he's going well. 'He's definitely got more to come after only five starts and he's finished in the money in three of those already.' Those are not the only big chances on the card for Newnham, with the 57-year-old hoping Setanta can build on a fast-finishing third at the Valley seven days ago in the Class Four Saint-Cloud Handicap (1,650m). Setanta has been plying his trade in Class Three company this season and left behind a trio of disappointing runs when lashing home off this rating last time. The drop in grade is an obvious positive to his chances and he could be sneaking in under the radar. 'That was more like it at the Valley last week,' said Newnham. 'The drop to Class Four company will be a big help to him and he has run well when backing up quickly in the past, too.' Newnham kicked off his tenure in Hong Kong with a 31-winner campaign last season and he has already smashed through that tally this term, heading into the meeting with 37 winners. His season has been headlined by My Wish, who won the Hong Kong Classic Mile before two agonising defeats in the subsequent legs of the Classic Series.
South China Morning Post
28-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Colourful King ‘getting better' as Andrea Atzeni aims for a big night at Happy Valley
Andrea Atzeni is hoping to be the hat-trick hero at Happy Valley on Wednesday night when Colourful King and Crystal Powerful both go for three wins on the spin. Sardinian Atzeni, sitting third in the jockeys rankings with 45 winners for the season, has another strong book of in-form rides to enhance his tally. Colourful King is his mount in the feature Class Two Seoul Handicap (1,000m), winner of both his starts at Happy Valley since a promising Hong Kong debut at Sha Tin. He dived late to beat Youthful Spirit by a nose in a Class Three over 1,000m in March, but increased the margin by two lengths when flashing clear of him again in another course and distance Class Three. Big win, Colourful King! 🚀@EustaceRacing's talented sprinter explodes to consecutive victories under @Atzenijockey in the Hong Kong China Rugby Cup at Happy Valley... 🏆#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 9, 2025 His sights are raised today against some seasoned rivals, but David Eustace's charge – a dual winner at Sandown in Australia before shipping over – is totally unexposed and should have plenty more to offer. 'He's thrived since David [Eustace] switched him to the Valley,' said Atzeni. 'I thought he was really impressive again last time and he's definitely improved since his last run. 'He's going up into a Class Two and will need to improve, but he's a horse who has done nothing wrong and seems to be getting better.' Atzeni also rides Crystal Powerful, who is on the hat-trick trail in the Class Three Yeongcheon Handicap (1,200m) for trainer Cody Mo Wai-kit. Crystal Powerful won back-to-back races at the Valley last season and has repeated the feat this campaign. He showed a very willing attitude to edge out Diamond Soars in a 1,000m Class Three in March, knuckling down after being outpaced at the top of the straight to win by a head. It was a similar story over course and distance three weeks later, with Atzeni all action to get his partner up by a short head. Crystal Powerful does it again! An in-form @Atzenijockey scores consecutive wins with Cody Mo's sprinter in the Japan Racing Association Trophy... 🔥 #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 2, 2025 Those runs have suggested a return to 1,200m – the trip he gained both his wins over last season – would be perfect and he gets that on Wednesday. He has the ideal draw in stall seven and Atzeni is hoping lightening can strike for a third time. 'I think dropping to 1,000m was a good shout, as he's been showing a lot more speed lately,' said Atzeni. 'I think the key for him has been the draw – he's a horse who needs to be handy and we've been lucky with our barriers lately. 'Obviously his two recent wins have come over 1,000m, but he this trip suits him just as well and we've got another good draw to work from. I don't think another rise in the weights will stop him from going close.' Atzeni has been enjoying another stellar season, with only Zac Purton (100) and Hugh Bowman (57) ahead of his 45-win haul. The 34-year-old is just three winners away from last season's tally and after a slow start to the season, it goes to show just how well things have been going for Atzeni that he is so close already. 'Things couldn't have gone much better the last six to 10 weeks,' said Atzeni. 'We had a bit of a slow start, but it's great to finish strong and I'd love to get through the 50-winner mark and beyond. 'There's still plenty of racing left and I'm really grateful to all the support I'm getting. I'll just have to keep kicking and hopefully I can beat last season's tally at the very least.'
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
19-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Frankie Lor chases Class Two double with in-form pair at Sha Tin
Frankie Lor Fu-chuen will chase a Class Two double at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon with in-form pair Voyage Samurai and Bottomuptogether headlining the handler's all-out assault on the 10-race card. Lor, who has a runner in each of the weekend's races, will hope Voyage Samurai is ready for the 1,800m of the Class Two Hong Kong Lions Cup. An all-the-way winner over a mile last start, Voyage Samurai finds himself in a strong contest featuring the likes of Five G Patch, Helene Feeling, La City Blanche, Winning Dragon and Bundle Award. 'I think he can handle the 1,800m because he has a big stride and he can keep on well on the speed. Since we put the blinkers on, he has improved,' said Lor of his five-year-old, who has sported blinkers in his past three starts for a fourth, a second and a win. Last-start winner Voyage Samurai headlines Sunday's 11-runner Class 2 Lions Cup at Sha Tin! 🏆 #HKracing Fields 👉 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 17, 2025 The only jockey to salute aboard Voyage Samurai with five successes, Derek Leung Ka-chun retains the ride and the pair jump from gate four. Bottomuptogether also begins from barrier four in the Class Two Kowloon Bay Handicap (1,200m) as he tackles Sha Tin's all-weather track for the first time. Successful in the grade over the Happy Valley 1,000m three starts back, Bottomuptogether has done just about everything but win over six furlongs at Sha Tin this season. After three seconds and a third over the turf 1,200m, Lor has opted to roll the dice on the dirt. FOUR more wins to go! 😏 A new all-time Hong Kong wins record is looming as @zpurton posts his 1,810th Hong Kong victory with a double at Happy Valley aboard favourite Bottomuptogether in the Class 2 dash... 🎯#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 15, 2025 Zac Purton sticks with the four-year-old son of Shamus Award and they do battle with the likes of Copartner Prance, Beauty Waves and Stellar Express. 'He usually trials very well on the dirt. He can lead or he can sit second. There aren't too many Class Two 1,000m or 1,200m races, so we need to try the dirt. He's in good form,' said Lor, who has had a winner at the past five Sha Tin meetings. One of the gallopers successful in that streak was South Star, who will look to make it two victories on the bounce in Sunday's Class Three Ho Chung River Handicap (1,400m). A convincing winner at the course and distance on March 30, South Star steps up in grade and will again be partnered by Andrea Atzeni. Nice win, South Star! @Atzenijockey guides Frankie Lor's youngster to a stylish first win at his third start... 👊#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 30, 2025 Triumphant More is another in-form galloper among Lor's full weekend book, with the four-year-old chasing a fourth win of his debut season in the Class Three Ngau Tau Kok Handicap (1,200m). Second at the course and distance last start, Triumphant More looks well placed to help Lor, who sits seventh in the trainers' premiership, add to his 35 victories so far this campaign. The affable handler also saddles up Silver Destiny, Dreaming Winner, Fun N Fun Together, Beauty Live, Lucky Impact and Victory Moments this weekend. Looking forward, Lor expects to have two runners on Champions Day next weekend – Lucky With You in the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) and Happy Together in the Group One Champions Mile. The latter will face one less international raider after Lake Forest was withdrawn by William Haggas on Thursday.
South China Morning Post
14-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ricky Yiu puts faith in Eason and Giant Leap in bid to consolidate third place in championship
Giant Leap (outside) is one of Ricky Yiu's top chances at the Valley on Wednesday night. Photos: Kenneth Chan Ricky Yiu Poon-fai is confident the consistent Eason and last-start winner Giant Leap will figure prominently at Happy Valley on Wednesday night as the veteran handler bids to consolidate third place in the trainers' championship. In a tight battle behind title leader John Size (47 wins) and David Hayes (41), only five wins separate Yiu (37) and the 11th-placed Cody Mo Wai-kit in the premiership standings. Yiu, who is tied on wins with Francis Lui Kin-wai but holds the ascendancy with more seconds than last season's champion trainer, will take a team of six runners to the city circuit on Wednesday night. Eason continues his bid for a breakthrough win in the first section of the Class Three Violet Handicap (1,200m) after a pair of close seconds and a third from his six starts this term after switching from the Frankie Lor Fu-chuen stable. The Written Tycoon gelding was only beaten a head when runner-up to Gustosisimo and Gallant Valour at the course and distance of his latest assignment. He struggled on a rain-affected Valley track when fifth to Spicy Gold last month before backing up seven days later to run an eye-catching fourth to Happy Fat Cat. 'We've got a good jockey on in Hugh Bowman,' Yiu said. 'The horse has been running well and hopefully he finishes in the first three. He'll be close again.' One tough customer! Happy Fat Cat seals a Cody Mo double at Happy Valley with a determined victory under @AntoineHamelin... ✌️#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 12, 2025 After a wide draw in barrier 11 forced him back to last on his latest appearance, Eason should get a far more economical run from gate three on Wednesday night. He strikes an incredibly even field featuring Bundle Of Charm, Nucleozor, Chateauneuf, Storming Dragon, Crimson Flash, King Miles, Shinyu Kokoroe, California Deeply and Up With Charm. Giant Leap jumps back into Class Three in the second section of the Violet Handicap after a tough Class Four triumph under visiting jockey Richard Kingscote last start. While the son of Capitalist tends to struggle at this level, Yiu is optimistic he can hold his form and take advantage of dropping 15 pounds to carry 119. 'He has a light weight this time. He's another genuine horse, especially at the Valley,' Yiu said. 'He's held his condition since his last start, so he'll go well. He can finish in the first three.' In-form jockey Andrea Atzeni, who won on Giant Leap earlier this season, hops back aboard Yiu's charge on Wednesday night but he must overcome the outside draw in the field of nine. Yiu's other Valley runners are Diamond Soars, Floof, Sure Joyful and Mega Bonus, who was elevated from first reserve for the second section of the Class Four Dianthus Handicap (1,200m) when Sunny Galaxy was scratched on Monday with a head injury. Yiu is also preparing for a strong FWD Champions Day assault on Sunday week, with stable star Voyage Bubble set for the Group One Champions Mile and Straight Arron bound for the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m). The 67-year-old had a change of heart after indicating Straight Arron would also tackle the Champions Mile after his last-start Group Three Chairman's Trophy (1,600m) victory over Galaxy Patch. 'Last time when he ran over the mile, it was a bit short and the second horse probably should have won. I think 2,000m is his best trip,' Yiu said.
