Latest news with #HKJCRacing
South China Morning Post
20-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Frankie Lor leans on Zac Purton again as Savvy Twinkle looks to break his duck at Happy Valley
Frankie Lor and Zac Purton after Horsepower's winner at Happy Valley in October. Photos: Kenneth Chan Trainer and champion jockey bid to add to haul of 15 winners from 41 runners when teaming up this season Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is confident he can continue his strong partnership with champion jockey Zac Purton when Savvy Twinkle lines up in the Class Four Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup (1,000m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. The Capitalist gelding is yet to win in five career starts, but posted his best effort yet when second to the in-form Super Sixty at the track and distance of Wednesday night's race last month. Savvy Twinkle was rousted early by Alexis Badel and snaked his way to the rail to lead after 300m, before only being collared in the final 100m after a game rally. That experience will stand him in great stead and despite facing a wide draw in barrier nine, Lor is confident of a big run from the four-year-old. Super Sixty rallies up the inside! Apprentice @elliswong05 guides the chestnut to a second win at Happy Valley for Caspar Fownes... 👏#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 23, 2025 'Last time he went well, it's the same distance but last time he was drawn a bit better,' said Lor. 'The pace will be fast, so we'll have to see after he jumps. 'The form looks good and I think there is more to come from him. Hopefully this time Zac can help me.' Lor has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Purton this season, with the pair teaming for 15 winners from 41 total runners for a very healthy 37 per cent strike rate. 'It's always a positive to have Zac on board – when I ask him he'll pick the right one, so that's why he has 15 winners for me,' said Lor. Acappella Nova races on-speed under Ange Jones and goes on with the job for @tonygollan 🏇@BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 16, 2024 The 59-year-old trainer also has fascinating Australian import The Red Hare running in the Class Three Wyndham Handicap (1,200m) under jockey Derek Leung Ka-chun. The son of Sebring Sun – known as Acappella Nova pre-import – was beaten on debut in Australia but won his subsequent two starts, scoring over 1,200m at Eagle Farm and 1,350m at Doomben. The Red Hare ran well to finish third in a recent barrier trial at the Valley, racing greenly but always under a tight hold. And Lor is hoping for a big run from him on his local debut, though the draw in stall nine could have again been kinder. 'He's a little bit nervous in the mornings but when he starts cantering he's very quiet,' said Lor. 'He needs to learn a bit more but when I've trialled him, he's been good. 'I think he's OK off a rating of 67, but the draw is a bit unfortunate because stall nine is a bit wider than I'd want. 'I have put the earmuffs on him because he's a bit nervous and I think that will help him. He's got a good chance if overcoming his draw.' Lor has bounced back from a slow start to the campaign, which saw him go winless in the first month of the season until Master Trillion broke the drought on October 6. With 42 winners, he sits just two behind third-placed Ricky Yiu Poon-fai and is not too far off the pace overall, with 14 separating him from title leader John Size.
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
05-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ka Ying Rising set to dodge Flemington in favour of second run in Sydney
The world's best sprinter will be set for the Russell Balding Stakes at Rosehill, with Racing Victoria's tough protocols prompting the move away from the Champions Sprint David Hayes has revealed plans to give Ka Ying Rising another run in Sydney after The Everest (1,200m), with Racing Victoria's strict veterinary protocols prompting the move to bypass the Group One Champions Sprint (1,200m) at Flemington. Rated the world's best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising will be set for the A$3 million (HK$15 million) Russell Balding Stakes (1,300m) at Rosehill on November 1 – two weeks after the world's richest race on turf, the A$20 million The Everest at Randwick. Adding to the lure of the Russell Balding Stakes is an A$1 million bonus if a horse wins that race after snaring The Everest. While Ka Ying Rising has to pass scans to depart Hong Kong for Sydney, Racing Victoria's tough procedures – introduced in 2021 after a spate of fatal injuries suffered by internationals in the Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m) – would force the superstar to undergo further scans and assessments to be cleared to race in Melbourne. HE DOES IT AGAIN! 🚀 Ka Ying Rising makes it 12 straight wins, four Group 1s and a HK$5 million Speed Series bonus with victory in the 2025 Chairman's Sprint Prize... @zpurton #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025 'The race after The Everest carries a bonus for The Everest winner. It means he doesn't have to do any extra travelling and doesn't have to go through the protocols again to run in Melbourne, so the protocols made my decision very easy,' Hayes said. 'It's a rule that needs to be looked at and reviewed, but it's the rule at the moment so while the rule's in place, I won't consider Melbourne. I would understand if it's his first run in Australia but it's not. 'I would have dearly loved to have shown him off in Victoria – it's my hometown and it would have been great to run there, but the protocols aren't making it favourable. 'I'm not asking for any favours, but I think they should review the rule. I think it's overkill. The horse has to go to hospital to have the tests, which normally healthy horses aren't in hospital, he has to travel which is another risk, have a day away from his routine feed and be tranquillised to have it done, so it's quite an ordeal.' Fresh from 12 consecutive wins in Hong Kong, capped by his Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) success last month, Ka Ying Rising is the odds-on favourite in overseas markets for The Everest. Negotiations for a slot in the mega-rich sprint are set to heat up, with the Jockey Club a potential player in buying a slot in the race. Ka Ying Rising departed Sha Tin on Monday, with the four-time Group One winner set for a six-week break up at Conghua. Hayes also confirmed his Classic Cup (1,800m) winner Rubylot will continue his campaign in the final Group One of the Hong Kong season, the Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) on May 25. Hugh Bowman will again ride the four-year-old after his unlucky sixth to Tastiera in the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m). 'I think he could have easily run a place – he didn't get much luck. Hughie thought he'd stay a mile and a half very easily because he relaxes so well,' Hayes said. Zac Purton has been booked for the Champions & Chater Cup ride on John Size's consistent galloper Ensued, who was the first local horse home when fourth in the QE II Cup. 'He'll be a good chance. It looks as if it's going to be a stronger race than we thought it was going to be with the internationals coming, but he's honest,' Purton said.
South China Morning Post
04-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
David Eustace's smart three-year-old dazzles at Sha Tin: ‘we've always liked him'
Dazzling Fit threw his hat in the ring as a potential Classic Series horse for next season with a sparkling win in the first section of the Class Four Cox's Handicap (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Luke Ferraris settled David Eustace's galloper in mid-pack early on and turning out of the back straight still had a lot of ground to make up. When hitting top gear Dazzling Fit flew down the straight to record a very comfortable win over Max Que, obliging for favourite backers after being sent off $2.65. Eustace sung the praises of his three-year-old post-race. Seriously impressive, Dazzling Fit! 🤯@EustaceRacing's 3YO son of Ribchester explodes to a first win at Sha Tin under @LukeFerraris...#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 4, 2025 'We've always liked him. He'd put in two really good performances but was showing signs of greenness and just inexperience, which is very normal,' said Eustace. 'He was good today. He jumped well and he relaxed. He had a bit of ground to make up and I thought he flattened out well and picked them up well. 'He'll be a lovely horse for next season. He'll definitely stay a mile. Whether he needs to do that now I'm not sure, but for next year he will. 'We'll see how he is as to whether he has another run or whether we give him a chance to mature. I'll just be guided by the horse.' Whip rules come into focus Jockey Club officials will discuss Hong Kong's whip rules with the city's riders on Tuesday, with executive director of racing Andrew Harding suggesting 'there is probably a case for reducing, in some circumstances, the use of the whip'. Under Hong Kong's current whip rules, jockeys can be punished for using the whip in an 'excessive, improper, unnecessary or inappropriate manner' but there are no official restrictions on how many times the whip can be used. 'We continue to look at various aspects of regulation and one of them is the use of the whip. We've been doing that for some time and having ongoing discussions with jockeys and trainers,' said Harding. 'After we have spoken to [the jockeys] and trainers and owners, we will make an assessment about whether there should be changes to the rules with a view to, if we change anything, introducing it next season. 'We're not suggesting anything at this stage. Obviously there have been changes to the way the use of the whip has been regulated in other major racing jurisdictions over time. 'We continue to monitor those changes, see how they've worked and we'll continue to do that. 'It is a conversation we'll be having with the jockeys – whether there is a case for making the changes here, and if we did make changes, what would be sensible? 'I would say overall, I think that there is probably a case for reducing, in some circumstances, the use of the whip.' Wong ends long wait for Victory Apprentice Britney Wong Po-ni returned to the winners' enclosure for the first time in almost two months when she booted home Circuit Victory in Sunday's Class Five Jordan Handicap (1,200m). Winless since firing in a double on the Sha Tin dirt on March 9, Wong snapped a drought of 39 rides without success after guiding Manfred Man Ka-leung's Circuit Victory to his first victory at start 11. The 25-year-old rider didn't let the lean period weigh her down and paid tribute to support from the industry. 'I've been not in the winners' circle for over a month, so it's all been a bit lost on me. It's good I have got all the good culture and good help around me and I just stick my head into it and I really feel good,' Wong said after notching her 13th triumph of the season. Circuit Victory is not for catching! Apprentice Britney Wong lands her 13th win in Hong Kong... 🔥#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 4, 2025 Relishing the addition of blinkers, Circuit Victory crossed from gate 12 early to lead for Wong and drew clear in the straight to comfortably beat Ever Smart by a length and three-quarters. 'It's really great and I really appreciate all the support from Manfred,' said Wong, who received a two-meeting careless riding suspension for her winning effort. 'He's been a big supporter even since I was a trainee. It's a nice feeling to reward him and his team in this way.' Matthew Poon Ming-fai broken an even bigger drought on Sunday, ending his streak of 75 winless rides with a desperately needed success on Cody Mo Wai-kit's Ka Ying Superb in the second section of the Cox's Handicap. Stellenbosch to stay at home Japanese mare Stellenbosch will not run in the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) later this month, but Jockey Club officials remain confident the other two overseas entries – Dubai Honour and Al Riffa – will step out at Sha Tin on May 25. Third in December's Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m), Stellenbosch's connections have opted to head towards the Group One Victoria Mile in Tokyo on May 18 instead of another trip abroad. Local entries for the race, which close on May 12, are expected to be headed by Ricky Yiu Poon-fai's Triple Crown hopeful Voyage Bubble.
South China Morning Post
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Tony Cruz celebrates 2,500 Hong Kong wins as a jockey and trainer after Sha Tin double
Legendary figure reaches another big milestone after Liveandletlive and Winning Ovation win Sunday's final two races Tony Cruz's status as a legend of Hong Kong racing elevated to a new level again on Sunday when he reached 2,500 wins as a jockey and trainer with a double at Sha Tin. A winner of 946 races in his time in the saddle which included six Hong Kong championships, Cruz hit the new milestone when striking in Sunday's final two races with Liveandletlive and Winning Ovation. The now 68-year-old made a seamless transition to training with two championships and a swag of Group One wins with some of the city's top gallopers, headlined by champion Silent Witness who won 17 consecutive races. 'I'm very happy with that. It's great,' Cruz said after training his 1,554th winner. Tony Cruz is INCREDIBLE! 👑 Winning Ovation brings up the legendary figure's 2,500th win in Hong Kong as both a jockey (946 wins) and trainer (1,554 wins) with success in the finale under @AlexisBadel... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 4, 2025 Cruz was quick to deflect praise to jockeys Angus Chung Yik-lai and Alexis Badel for their rides on Liveandletlive and Winning Ovation, respectively. A two-time winner in Britain under the same name, Liveandletlive broke through for his first Hong Kong success at start seven when leading all the way in the Class Three Chatham Handicap (2,000m). Chung controlled the race from the front on the $9.75 chance and he lifted when challenged by Gold Master to prevail by a nose in a thrilling finish. 'I must give credit to Angus on Liveandletlive – he rode a perfect race,' Cruz said. '[Gold Master] went past him, but he fought back just on the wire. All credit to Angus.' Liveandletlive's best previous run in the city was a close third to Steps Ahead in February. The Muhaarar four-year-old had excuses on his start before Sunday's victory, running seventh to Winning Wing after knuckling over at the start and unbalancing Chung. Another British import, Winning Ovation, capped Cruz's day to remember with an impressive triumph in the Class Three Austin Handicap (1,400m). Settling third on the fence from gate one, the three-year-old was hooked off the inside by Badel and pounced on pacesetter Yuen Long Elite to take control at the 150m. He soared clear at his second local start to beat heavily-backed $3.2 favourite Yuen Long Elite by a length. 'The jockey, Alexis Badel, rode a perfect race. The barrier draw was a benefit – if we didn't have that, we might not have won the race,' Cruz said. Winning Ovation won at Salisbury and finished midfield in Royal Ascot's Group Two Coventry Stakes (1,200m) when known as Nascimento pre-import. Elsewhere on Sunday's card, trainer Chris So Wai-yin was in awe of Hong Lok Golf's fifth victory at start six in the Class Two Hillwood Handicap (1,600m). On his first start over a mile, the emerging four-year-old dug deep to beat Pray For Mir by half a length in a tight finish. 'Wow,' So said. 'In the straight when I saw [Pray For Mir], I thought he would beat us. But I spoke to Harry [Bentley] and he just said that he wasn't that worried. 'The last 100m, he did it easy. I was just a bit worried because he was stepping up from 1,400m to 1,600m and for some horses it's a big challenge.' So will consider setting Hong Lok Golf, who was an unlucky second on his only career defeat in February, for upcoming features such as the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) on May 31. 'We now have the choice whether to give him a break or another run. There's Group races coming at the end of May, but we will decide,' So said.
