28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Derek Leung snares treble as Hugh Bowman and Ellis Wong also star at Happy Valley
It was trebles and doubles galore at the city circuit on Wednesday night
Derek Leung Ka-chun was in the winners again at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, with his first treble since November headlined by Gracious Express' last-gasp win in the Class Three Seine Handicap (1,200m).
The 36-year-old had been winless for 27 rides prior to Voyage Boss' debut win at Sha Tin on Sunday and he did not have to wait long to continue that winning feeling.
Settled in midfield, Gracious Express' backers would have been forgiven for throwing away their betting slips turning into the home straight, with Leung all action and going nowhere fast.
Once switched into the clear in the straight, however, Leung managed to galvanise his mount and the pair motored home to overhaul Chateauneuf in the final 50m.
Derek Leung rides a treble! 🔥
Churchill gelding Gracious Express steamrolls rivals to win the finale at Happy Valley for Ricky Yiu... #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 28, 2025
'It's great to get a treble, everything went smoothly tonight,' said Leung.
Prestige Good's easy win in the Class Four Sauternes's Cup (1,650m) was another highlight on a brilliant night for Leung.
Drawn well in barrier three, Prestige Good was bounced out into the lead by Leung and the pair never looked likely to relinquish it.
Turning into the home straight, they spurted away and won by a very comfortable two and a quarter lengths, much to the delight of Leung.
Prestige Good bursts clear to land the Sauternes Cup at Happy Valley as Derek Leung posts a double! 🏆#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 28, 2025
'Prestige Good is a nice horse with a nice action – he's also a big thinker so we gave him a good warm up behind the gates to make sure he jumped nice and to wake him up,' said Leung. 'Today, he showed his ability.'
Winning trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai, fresh off Voyage Bubble's Triple Crown success at Sha Tin on Sunday, was also full of praise for Prestige Good, who was winning for the first time at the seventh attempt.
'He's kept improving, especially the past couple of runs. He's showing his real ability,' said Yiu. 'I would think with a light weight in Class Three he might still be able to do it, especially towards the end of the season.'
Great horse! 🙌
Evergreen 9YO Wood On Fire collects an eighth win at Happy Valley in his 84th start in Hong Kong under Derek Leung for Michael Chang... #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 28, 2025
Leung's first winner on the card came aboard Wood On Fire in the first section of the Class Five Dordogne Handicap (1,200m), with the pair fighting on gamely from the front to deny $3 favourite So Awesome by a neck.
Elsewhere, Ellis Wong Chi-wang also enjoyed another Happy Valley double that was kicked off by Bits Superstar's gritty win in the first section of the Class Four Ciron Handicap (1,200m).
Breaking from barrier 11, Wong managed to get across and sit on the shoulder of the leader O'Liner before taking over as the field turned into the straight.
There was a wall of challengers behind, but Bits Superstar held firm and denied them by a short head.
Bits Superstar is tough in the finish! Three wins in May for our apprentice @elliswong05 as Pierre Ng's charge gets off the mark... 💪#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 28, 2025
And there was further joy for the young rider when Sky Vino saluted in the second section of the Class Four Garonne Handicap (1,650m).
Sat midfield for much of the journey, Wong swung his mount into the middle of the track off the turn and the writing was soon on the wall, with the Vino Rosso galloper soon clear when asked to extend.
Hugh Bowman was another rider to hit a double when Jumbo Legend thundered home to win the Class Three Rhine Handicap (1,650m).
Jumbo Legend loops the field! Caspar Fownes' galloper launches from the clouds for a sixth Happy Valley win to cap a @HugeBowman double... ✌️#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 28, 2025
The last horse to turn in, victory looked unlikely for the Hinchinbrook galloper until the final 150m, where he charged into overdrive down the middle of the track and overhauled a wall of horses to win going away.
It was the second leg of the Bowman double, with Young Arrow also leaving it late to win the proceeding second section of the Ciron Handicap.
Settled three wide for much of the back straight, Bowman swept up off the turn and Young Arrow battled on bravely to get the better of a protracted duel with My Day My Way in the final strides.
