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South China Morning Post
27-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
The Hong Kong Racing Postscript: who's hot, who's not and the best of February
Brenton Avdulla had a month to remember in February with nine winners. Photos: Kenneth Chan Brenton Avdulla had a month to remember, while Michael Chang and several jockeys came up empty-handed With four jockeys including champion Zac Purton sidelined for varying periods after two separate falls on February 5, the landscape of Hong Kong racing changed dramatically for the rest of the month. While several overseas riders were called on to fill the void, one of the permanent jockeys on the roster shone in Purton's absence and others had more success than previous months. The Post analyses the jockeys and trainers who had a month to remember or one to forget, as well as the most outstanding victory and winning ride. Who's hot? Known as 'The Gun', Brenton Avdulla fired on all cylinders in February. The Australian capitalised on several pickup rides from Purton to boot home nine winners from 54 rides at an impressive strike rate of 16.66 per cent. He is on the verge of soaring into the top four in the premiership. 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 Andrea Atzeni, Karis Teetan and Alexis Badel each rode six winners – a particularly important return for Badel, who had just nine to his name through the first five months of the season. From a training perspective, there was an even spread of winners across the ranks in February. John Size wasn't having a great month until his four-timer at Sha Tin last Sunday boosted his February haul to six winners. Continuing his stunning resurgence after a slow start to the season, the master handler hit the lead in the championship after his four-timer. David Hayes also had six victories and snatched the title lead back from Size at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, while Tony Cruz joined the Australian duo with six winners for the month. Who's not? While the absence of the injured jockeys created more opportunities for some, others continued to battle. Jerry Chau Chun-lok, Ellis Wong Chi-wang and Antoine Hamelin were among a group of riders to come up empty-handed for the month and they carry lengthy winning droughts into March. Michael Chang Chun-wai failed to visit the winners' enclosure from his 28 runners, while Danny Shum Chap-shing was about to join him with a winless month until Moments In Time ended his drought of 39 runners with victory at the Valley on Wednesday night. Win of month Voyage Bubble overcame plenty of challenges to record what was arguably the best victory of his career in last Sunday's Group One Gold Cup (2,000m). CLASS PREVAILS! 🙌 Aiming to become the second horse to win Hong Kong's #TripleCrown after River Verdon in 1993/94, Voyage Bubble captures the second leg - @Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup - with @mcacajamez at Sha Tin... 🏆@WorldPool | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 23, 2025 Shuffled back to second last and stumbling when striking the heels of a rival near the 850m, Ricky Yiu Poon-fai's stable star looked in a world of trouble. Things only got worse when he was held up from the top of the straight until the 300m, but once James McDonald got him into the clear he exploded with a brilliant turn of foot to put the result beyond doubt in the blink of an eye. It was a special performance. Ride of month Keagan de Melo has been starved of opportunity this season, but the South African conjured something from virtually nothing with a terrific ride on Carryon Smiling at Sha Tin last Sunday. Taken back to near last from gate 11 in the early stages, Carryon Smiling settled on the inside rail and De Melo saved valuable ground before coming off the fence in the straight. 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 De Melo angled the Chris So Wai-yin-trained gelding into the clear between rivals near the 250m and he responded with a strong finish, saluting at the huge odds of $84.70 – the second-roughest winner of the term so far. De Melo's ride on his other winner for the month, Charming Steed, was also a top effort. He sent the Caspar Fownes-trained gelding forward from gate 13 to lob in a perfect spot three back and one off the fence en route to a dominant win on the dirt.
South China Morning Post
13-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Van Gestel backs his system as Hong Kong's careless riding bans skyrocket
Numbers are tracking at a rate that would mark a 46 per cent year-on-year increase after 55 suspensions through the first 45 meetings by Sam Agars on Thursday, February 13, 2025 6:28 PM Jockey Club chief steward Marc van Gestel. Photos: Kenneth Chan Chief steward Marc van Gestel is confident it is simply the competitive nature of Hong Kong racing rather than any lenience in his special penalty system that has caused the number of careless riding suspensions to skyrocket this season. While careless riding bans in Hong Kong were decreasing, dropping from 84 in 2020-21 to 63 in 2022-23, the numbers have been increasing since Van Gestel introduced a system at the start of last season offering discounts on bans and fines for good records. While previously the standard penalty for careless riding was two meetings with increasing fines for repeat offenders, one-meeting bans are now much more common. After 74 careless riding suspensions last season, there have been 55 bans through the first 45 meetings of this campaign – numbers that would mark a 46 per cent year-on-year increase if they continue through until the end of the campaign. Van Gestel and Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding addressed the riding ranks on the matter last weekend 'to reinforce that we do feel there's some scope for some greater care to be taken'. 'Last season we were exceptionally happy with how that new system worked but this season the instances have been a little higher than we would have liked,' said Van Gestel, who replaced Kim Kelly as chief steward in February 2023. 'That's why we spoke to them before the first on Sunday, just to get them to understand we had concerns because the numbers are a bit higher. It's certainly increased and it's something we thought necessary to address with the group.' One theory around the increase in numbers is that some jockeys are less concerned about attracting the attention of stewards in the knowledge they'll likely only be sidelined for one meeting, but Van Gestel confirmed he will not be considering any changes to his system. 'I don't think that's the reason and the riders who have a good record have maintained that good record,' said Van Gestel. 'Jockeys like [Zac] Purton and [Brenton] Avdulla, who haven't been charged this season, are continuing to ride safely. 'I think it's come down to the competitive environment we're in and some jockeys are probably just overstepping the mark. I don't think it's anything to do with the system. 'What our statistics show is that 50 per cent of instances occur in the home straight, which is essentially where the riders are trying to go onto win or run a placing in the race.' Shinn retains Patch ride Blake Shinn will stay aboard Galaxy Patch for the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) on February 23 after connections had planned to make a switch to seven-time Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton. With Purton sidelined after breaking his big toe in last weekend's scary three-horse pile up at Sha Tin, Shinn will partner the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained Galaxy Patch for a fourth time after piloting him into second behind Voyage Bubble in last month's Group One Stewards' Cup (1,600m). Galaxy Patch was one of a number of big names to step out at the Sha Tin trials on Thursday morning, running home nicely into third over 1,200m on the all-weather track. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 13, 2025 Galaxy Patch's chief Gold Cup rival, Voyage Bubble, also stretched his legs, finishing third behind Helios Express and Ensued in a trial which also featured Red Lion and Beauty Eternal. Ensued is also among the Gold Cup entries, as is Chancheng Glory, Encountered, Five G Patch, Happy Together, La City Blanche, Straight Arron, Sword Point and Winning Dragon. Thursday morning's third and final trial was taken out by Howdeepisyourlove as he tunes up for his clash with Ka Ying Rising in the Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) on the same day as the Gold Cup. Also heading towards the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup are Helios Express, Red Lion, Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, California Spangle, Invincible Sage, Mugen and Patch Of Theta.
South China Morning Post
09-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Purton to miss Ka Ying Rising ride: ‘it's heartbreaking'
Hong Kong's seven-time champion jockey could be sidelined for as long as a month after Sunday's horror three-horse fall by Sam Agars on Monday, February 10, 2025 6:22 AM Zac Purton wins the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) aboard Ka Ying Rising last month. Photos: Kenneth Chan Zac Purton will miss Ka Ying Rising's run in the Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) on February 23 after breaking his left big toe in Sunday's horror three-horse pile up at Sha Tin. Sent flying into the Sha Tin turf after Legend St Paul's broke down and skittled his mount, Silvery Breeze, in Sunday's ninth event, Purton will undergo surgery on his toe on Monday morning. The seven-time champion jockey has been told he is facing at least four weeks out of the saddle. 'It's heartbreaking. I'll miss Ka Ying, I'll miss Galaxy Patch [in the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m)], I'll miss Packing Angel [in the Classic Cup (1,800m)]. Hopefully I can get back for the Derby,' said Purton. 'The toe is broken and it needs to be realigned. They're trying to work out whether they're going to put in screws and a plate, or pin it. 'I've also damaged ligaments in the same ankle and the ankle is obviously very swollen. I haven't really had a chance to put any weight on it yet, so we'll see how that goes. 'It's obviously disappointing but it couldn't have been worse than what it was.' Purton had been in white-hot form before the tumble, racking up 20 winners in January and four already in February, including two earlier on Sunday's card. He has been in the saddle for all 10 of Ka Ying Rising's wins, including a run of nine in a row featuring two Group One successes. Purton is joined by Angus Chung Yik-lai, Keith Yeung Ming-lun and Vincent Ho Chak-yiu on the injury list after an incident-marred day at Sha Tin, with more information on that trio's condition expected later on Monday. Ho may have suffered fractures to his neck and shoulder region when falling from Oldtown race six, while Chung has bruising to his face and upper body after coming off Legend St Paul's and Yeung is nursing a bruised upper thigh after his mount, Lupo Solitario, was also caught up in the race nine carnage.
South China Morning Post
26-01-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
McDonald to ride Bubble on big weekend, while Warrior is in good shape
Kiwi rider will arrive during the meeting to ride star miler in next month's Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) by Jack DawlingJay Rooney on Sunday, January 26, 2025 8:42 PM James McDonald will partner Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble in the space of 48 hourse. Photo: Kenneth Chan Ricky Yiu Poon-fai has confirmed superstar Kiwi James McDonald will partner Voyage Bubble in next month's Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) despite the logistical challenges involved in getting the rider to Sha Tin on February 23. McDonald will chase another success in the Middle East with Romantic Warrior in the Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) late on February 22 before flying back to Hong Kong to hop aboard Voyage Bubble in the Gold Cup the following afternoon. While the five-hour time difference means McDonald will be cutting it fine to get to Sha Tin for the HK$13 million Group One, Yiu said the Kiwi will arrive during the meeting and partner his stable star in the second leg of the Triple Crown. 'He will arrive fairly late on for the meeting but he will be here for that particular race,' Yiu said. 'Maybe he'll be at Sha Tin by race two or three, let's hope it all goes to plan.' Yiu did not confirm whether the 2024 Longines World's Best Jockey will take the Cathay Pacific flight which departs Riyadh at 12.45am on the Sunday morning and lands in Hong Kong at 1.40pm, or find other means of travel to return in time such as a private plane. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 19, 2025 The Warrior marches on Danny Shum Chap-shing said Romantic Warrior is in tip-top shape following his emphatic Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) success under McDonald as the trainer looks ahead to next month's audacious Saudi Cup bid. Romantic Warrior claimed his 10th Group One win in fine style in the early hours of Saturday morning Hong Kong time, with the seven-year-old continuing his globe-trotting domination on the Meydan turf in Dubai. Shum, who was in good spirits at Sha Tin on Sunday as he watched Gorgeous Win collect a Class Two win for his stable, confirmed his star galloper was in good condition following the four-and-a-half-length success. 'He's pulled up well and everything is fine,' Shum said. 'He dropped a bit of weight of course – about 18 pounds – but that is expected and this morning he is back to normal.' While Shum admitted he wasn't able to celebrate and reflect on Romantic Warrior's maiden Dubai success, the trainer hopes there will be another chance to pop the champagne. 'I celebrated by going to the airport after the race for my flight at 3.30am and then the plane was delayed until 4.15am,' Shum said with a laugh. 'Then it was just back to work as normal at the stable and preparing for today's race meeting. 'But hopefully there will be more celebrations to come soon, we will see.' Wong strikes with career-best success Britney Wong Po-ni celebrated the biggest success of her fledgling Hong Kong career at Sha Tin on Sunday, booting Fast Responder to a comfortable Class Three win. Wong racked up her eighth victory this term when she capitalised on Fast Responder's outside draw in gate 13 down the 1,000m straight in the Class Three Wheelchair Fencing Handicap. The 25-year-old rider kept Douglas Whyte's sprinter on the outside rail and bided her time until pacesetter Cheval Valiant shifted out passing the 300m. 'I know it's only 1,000m and it looks like an easy race to ride, but Britney rode a very, very confident and good race,' said Whyte, who also helped deliver Wong her first Hong Kong victory with Cheval Valiant in September. 'She was patient, she got him to settle, she got him comfortable and she waited patiently for my other horse, Cheval Valiant, to roll off the rail and went straight through the gap.' Fast Responder broke through at start six in Hong Kong, with a solid last-start eighth behind Baby Crystal his best previous performance in the city. Pouchin bids adieu Alexis Pouchin will leave Hong Kong earlier than anticipated after failing to obtain any rides for Friday's Lunar New Year meeting at Sha Tin. While the Frenchman's contract is due to end after the bumper fixture, he will exit the Hong Kong riding ranks sooner than expected with two wins from 105 mounts. In his eight-week stint in the city, Pouchin saluted aboard the Yiu-trained Harry's Hero and Francis Lui Kin-wai's Baby Crystal. After steering Baby Crystal to a dominant two-and-three-quarter-length success down the Sha Tin straight on January 5, Pouchin went within a whisker of getting the sprinter home in front on Sunday. The 24-year-old dictated proceedings aboard Lui's charge in the Class Two Para Equestrian Handicap (1,200m) but was collared in the final strides by $1.5 favourite Gorgeous Win.
