Latest news with #ClassTwo
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Jimmy Ting back in business as Glory Elite gets a peach to win Happy Valley feature
Derek Leung controls proceedings from the front to snare the Class Two Seoul Handicap (1,000m) aboard smart four-year-old Jimmy Ting Koon-ho ended a three-year drought at Class Two level when Glory Elite made all the running to win the Seoul Handicap (1,000m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Second favourite at $4.3, Glory Elite burst out of the gates under Derek Leung Ka-chun and set a good pace out in front. He was stalked all the way by $1.8 favourite Colourful King, who followed him through on the rail and had every chance to go past. But Glory Elite held firm out in front and turned away his challenge, winning a shade comfortably in the end by three-quarters of a length. It was a poignant success for Ting, who was last in the winners' enclosure after a Class Two when My Sugar won at Sha Tin back in March 2022. 'The first time he raced at the Valley, it was over 1,200m and he was wide all the way – which was no good,' said Ting. 'Last time he went very fast but still kept going and it was only the last 100m when he stopped. That's why when I saw the 1,000m race here and there were less horses entered, I thought he would be fast enough. Newsletter Daily Coffee and Sports By submitting, you consent to receiving marketing emails from SCMP. If you don't want these, tick here {{message}} Thanks for signing up for our newsletter! Please check your email to confirm your subscription. Follow us on Facebook to get our latest news. 'Derek knows the horse well and I think he's the best jockey for him. I will give him a rest now – there are no races for him. Maybe he will have one race at the end of the season if there was some rain. He likes the soft ground. Derek Leung takes the acclaim of the crowd as he heads back in on Glory Elite. 'He's the best horse in my stable at the moment. I hope he can improve again but I think he's at his best now at four-years-old.' It was win number 21 of the campaign for Leung, who showed all his prowess to fend off in-form rival Andrea Atzeni in the finish. 'He's good. He was a bit more relaxed than at Sha Tin,' said Leung. 'He stood well in the gates and there weren't many 1,000m horses in the field and I made sure in the first 400m he didn't make any mistakes. He's very honest, very straightforward.' Zac Purton and Loving Vibes (centre) fend off a late challenge to win. Elsewhere on the card, Zac Purton continued his red-hot form with a double aboard The Azure and Loving Vibes. Purton, who rode a treble on last Sunday's Champions Day – headlined by Ka Ying Rising – rode a mighty race to get $2.9 favourite The Azure home in a thrilling three-way photo for the Class Four Incheon Handicap (1,650m). Things got ever better for him when Loving Vibes toughed it out to win the second section of the Class Four Yeongcheon Handicap (1,200m) after a perfect rails trip, fending off a fast-finishing Never Too Soon. And trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing will have been relieved to see Harmony Galaxy win the Class Four Korea Racing Authority Trophy (1,800m) to snap his losing sequence that stretched back to April 9 – when Harmony Galaxy also won at Happy Valley three weeks ago. Danny Shum is all smiles after Harmony Galaxy's win. Sent off an unconsidered $20.35 shot, Harmony Galaxy was last turning into the straight and was forced to spin widest of all under Brenton Avdulla. Once he had clear passage, he surged down the outside to win with a bit to spare – which looked very unlikely the entire way. 'He was good, he's been racing well. He won with Hughy Bowman on him the other day and he had to carry the big weight today, but obviously they went a good gallop so it suited him,' Avdulla said. 'He chimed into it nicely and I was able to get to the outside and rip home. I think there's still a bit of upside to him when he gets up to Class Three – he'll drop a lot in weight and still be competitive.'
South China Morning Post
19-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Steps Ahead and Bundle Award bid to strengthen Derby form in Sha Tin Class Two
Steps Ahead and Bundle Award headline a trio of four-year-olds dropping back from the 2,000m of the Hong Kong Derby to contest Sunday's Class Two Hong Kong Lions Cup (1,800m) at Sha Tin. While there are questions about the strength of this year's Derby, won in an upset by maiden galloper Cap Ferrat, Steps Ahead and Bundle Award will be joined by Californiatotality in attempting to boost the form from the city's biggest race. Rubylot was the first four-year-old to reappear from the Derby, but he finished eighth of nine runners behind Divano last Sunday in what was more of a warm-up run for the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) next weekend. Steps Ahead was sent out an $82 roughie in the Derby and was only beaten two and a half lengths in ninth, despite running into trouble twice in the straight. HISTORY AT SHA TIN! 👏👏@CWilliamsJockey wins the 148th @BMW Hong Kong Derby aboard Cap Ferrat for trainer Francis Lui over a fast-closing My Wish... #4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 23, 2025 The Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained gelding was a Class Three winner at the course and distance of Sunday's race in February and a solid fifth to Rubylot in the Classic Cup (1,800m) before the Derby. 'He'll be having his first run back from the four-year-old series. In the Classic Cup and Derby he ran quite well,' jockey Lyle Hewitson said. 'He probably should have finished closer if he had have got more room in the straight, so I was happy with him.' While Steps Ahead drops to a career-low 118 pounds on Sunday, the son of Written By has to overcome barrier 10 in a competitive field of 11. Champion jockey Zac Purton will partner Bundle Award for the first time, with the John Size-trained gelding fresh from a two-length seventh in the Derby. The former Australian galloper won his previous start, a Class Two over 1,800m, and a 1,400m race in January. 'Obviously he won well two starts back over the track and distance,' Purton said. 'He ran a nice race in the Derby, he gets in well into this race with a light weight [121 pounds] and he's drawn well [barrier three], so he'll be a chance.' Californiatotality will be out to bounce back from a his 11th behind Cap Ferrat on March 23. The Tony Cruz-trained gelding is a three-time winner this term, including two at the course and distance of Sunday's race, and could be dangerous with just 116 pounds. Alexis Badel will ride Californiatotality, who has drawn gate five. Elsewhere on Sunday's 10-race card, Hewitson will bid to repay the faith shown by Lui and Gallant Epoch's connections in the Class Four Tsing Lung Tau Handicap (1,400m). 'I erred in judgment last time, so it's nice that I got the opportunity again and hopefully we get back to winning ways,' the South African jockey said of Gallant Epoch's last-start 12th at Happy Valley when he faded after being pushed forward early to lead. 'He has become quite a funny horse. I don't think he's putting it all in but once he gets control of a race, then he's quite good. 'Hopefully he can do that again and be strong off the front. It looks a competitive race.' Gallant Epoch made all to brilliantly score by two lengths at Sha Tin three starts ago.
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
14-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hugh Bowman fancies inside draw for Sunlight Power in Kowloon Tong Club Trophy
Hugh Bowman is confident Ricky Yiu Poon-fai's quality galloper Sunlight Power will relish another inside draw when he chases a third win this season in Saturday's Class Two Kowloon Tong Club Trophy (1,600m) at Sha Tin. The Australian jockey hops aboard Sunlight Power for the second time after his fast-finishing third to Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hope Johannes Brahms last start. Two starts ago, the Capitalist gelding capitalised on a soft run from barrier one to cruise to victory in another Class Two mile under Zac Purton. With Yiu's Group Three winner Nimble Nimbus dropping in class to head the weights on Saturday, Sunlight Power also has the advantage of dropping four pounds on his last run to carry 126. Sunlight Power dominates the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Hong Kong, China Team Celebration Cup under @zpurton at Sha Tin! 🏆 #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 26, 2025 'He does have a little bit of a tendency to lay in slightly under pressure, but he's a very genuine horse and his form is very consistent,' Bowman said of the five-time winner. 'With a perfect draw this weekend, we should get a lovely run and [he can] make his presence felt.' Sunlight Power boasts the strongest recent form in an even Class Two field that also features The Golden Scenery, Ramadan, Karma, Voyage Samurai, Woodfire Bro, Tourbillon Prince and Yiu's stayer Awesome Fluke. He is one of several strong chances for Bowman on Saturday's card, with Sky Trust another key hope for the 44-year-old in the Class Three Cosmos Handicap (1,400m). The Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Trust drops back in trip after running 12th behind Rubylot in the Classic Cup (1,800m). 'I thought his run, although well-beaten, was actually unbelievable last start,' Bowman said. 'He jumped well and didn't settle, so I let him gallop down the back straight but, even though three-wide, he got into a really sweet rhythm on the bend and it was no surprise to see him pick up into the straight. I was surprised at how long he sustained his gallop, having behaved the way he did in the early and middle stages. 'So, back in trip is a huge advantage to him and the horse is in great form. He's a big horse so he'll certainly be able to carry [135 pounds].' A two-time winner and four-time runner-up this season, Sky Trust will clash with exciting three-year-old Sky Jewellery, who has won two of his three starts with Bowman on board. 'I did have the choice and Sky Jewellery is a just a little bit light for me with 123 pounds – [a] very exciting young horse,' Bowman said. 'I think Sky Jewellery still has a bit of developing to do. Last start, he got a bit lost when he turned into the home straight and he dropped the bridle, but his class shone the last 100m. Up in class, he'll have to improve but he's certainly got the improvement in him.' Brenton Avdulla will ride Sky Jewellery for the first time. Sky Jewellery was a HUGE winner last start! 🚀 He returns this Saturday at Sha Tin... 👀 #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 13, 2025 Earlier on the card, Bowman will have top claims on John Size's brilliant debut winner Crossborderpegasus in the Class Four Azalea Handicap (1,200m). The Rich Enuff three-year-old backed up his strong trial form to score at the course and distance when eased down late by Bowman last month. Volcanic Spark also has a solid chance for Bowman and Yiu in the Class Four Association Of Hong Kong Racing Journalists Challenge Cup (1,800m) after a close second to Billionaire Secret last start. Fairy Horse, Strongest Boy, Thunder Prince, Monarch County and Helene Warrior are Bowman's other rides.
South China Morning Post
01-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Dennis Yip backs in-form Noisy Boy to prove Hong Kong Derby credentials in Classic Cup
Daring to dream of a second straight Derby victory, Dennis Yip Chor-hong is confident Noisy Boy will stamp his credentials for the city's biggest race when he steps out in Sunday's Classic Cup (1,800m) at Sha Tin. Yip was on top of the world 12 months ago when celebrating Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) glory with Massive Sovereign and he feels Noisy Boy is capable of following in that galloper's footsteps. The Australian import has made an impressive start to his Hong Kong career, notching back-to-back wins over 2,200m at Happy Valley and the Derby course and distance leading into the Classic Cup. 'He's working very well. He trialled [at Happy Valley] and it was very good,' Yip said of Noisy Boy's strong victory in a 1,700m trial on February 15. 'He is coming up very nicely. The 1,800m should be OK. Hopefully he can sit second or third and he's proven at 2,000m and 2,200m, while many four-year-olds aren't proven. I think he's a good chance.' After a pair of solid runs over 1,400m and 1,650m, Noisy Boy thrived stepping up in trip to comfortably score at the Valley on Boxing Day under Zac Purton. The son of Real Steel then accounted for a Class Two field featuring the likes of subsequent Group Three runner-up Winning Dragon and Classic Cup contenders Mickley and Stunning Peach. Andrea Atzeni booted Noisy Boy home last start and has committed to riding him in the final two legs of the Classic Series. Racing under the same name in Australia, he won a 1,550m maiden on Randwick's Kensington track and also ran a close second in the Group Two Tulloch Stakes (2,000m) at Rosehill. Despite drawing wide in gate 12, Noisy Boy is expected to be one of the pace influences in the Classic Cup along with Californiatotality, who also jumps from a wide barrier in 14. Californiatotality has leapt into Classic Cup and Derby contention with three wins this term – two of which have been at the course and distance of Sunday's feature. Tony Cruz will bid to win a third Classic Cup when he starts Californiatotality and Stunning Peach, who has shown indifferent form this campaign but gets the services of superstar jockey James McDonald for the first time. Nice win, @brentonavdulla! 👊 Californiatotality, a son of Zoustar, offsets top-weight and a wide gate to capture a third victory. Tony Cruz makes it a double from the first three races at Sha Tin... ✌️ #SaSaLPDay | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 3, 2024 'I think my two horses have got a chance. I'm very happy with them condition wise and they're in good health,' Cruz said. 'Californiatotality is a one-paced type of horse. Stunning Peach probably needs 2,000m and above. He's a real staying type of horse. He's the spitting image of Exultant – that horse had no speed at all. In his barrier trials, he was always last.' Alexis Badel will ride Californiatotality. Elsewhere on Sunday's card, Cruz's former apprentice Angus Chung Yik-lai returns from a fractured facial bone sustained in a horrific fall on February 5. Chung will ride He was You, Smart Beauty and Lovero for Cruz as well as Silver King and Wonderstar. Yip has another top chance on the card in Fast Network, who drops back in distance from the Classic Mile to contest the Class Three Yau Oi Handicap (1,200m). Fast Network ran a solid fourth to My Wish in the Classic Mile when ridden by Christophe Soumillon. 'Class Three is easier for him and he's a sprinter,' Yip said of the three-time Sha Tin 1,000m winner. 'The maximum for him was a mile and I think 1,200m or 1,400m is the best distance for him. Soumillon told me the mile is his maximum.' McDonald will also ride Fast Network, who has the blinkers reapplied for Sunday's race and has drawn barrier 10 of 11.
