Latest news with #HarmonyGalaxy
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
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 and Glory Elite tough it out to win at Happy Valley. Photos: Kenneth Chan 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. Smart win, Glory Elite! Jimmy Ting's sprinter defies Colourful King in the Class 2 dash under Derek Leung... 🔥#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 30, 2025 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. '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. '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.' 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. 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.'
New Paper
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
April 30 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis
Race 1 (1,600m) 3 Cervin proved difficult to ride out in the straight and faded late into sixth last time. A quieter ride - as seen five runs ago when he won well - can bring out his best. 1 Foremost Teddy makes his Class 5 debut and some of his Class 4 efforts would see him go closer. 6 Sky Prophet is off the back of a narrow defeat into second - albeit over 1,200m - so the rise in distance is the query, but his on-pace profile should serve him well. 5 California Moxie has disappointed in two runs in Class 5. He has been given a 42-day freshen-up and a good trial, and will likely present better value this time. Race 2 (1,650m) 2 Top Time got off the mark at this course and distance last start. The 3YO looks hard to hold out. 5 The Azure returned to form last start, closing in well for third over this distance. He will map well in the run from barrier 2 and launch his usual late bid. 8 Dragon Star turned in a promising second first-up. It has been 504 days between wins, but he can make his own luck up on the pace. 4 Satirical Fan is a one-time winner from 11 starts, but he ticked a few boxes on his third run back in Class 4. With a well-timed ride, he is not without hope. Race 3 (1,000m) 7 Glory Elite stuck on well for fourth last start over 1,200m at Sha Tin. There are plenty of in-form rivals to contend with at his second spin around the city circuit, but a measured ride on the lead could see him pinch it. 8 Colourful King has won back-to-back races in Class 3, and his last success was brilliant as he dashed clear by two lengths. He is up in Class 2 for the first time, but his swift turn of foot will make him hard to hold out late. 2 Aurora Lady boasts better form over 1,200m but the drop back in trip is not a big concern. His form is solid, including a last-start second, and he has the tactical speed to take up a forward position. 3 Red Elegance is a winner of his last two starts and tackles Class 2 for the first time. As a four-time track-and-distance winner, he cannot be ignored. Race 4 (1,200m) 5 Nebraskan was collared late last start, and he finished second two starts back. A good trial win suggests he is holding form. 2 Everstar has been catching the eye since dropping to Class 4 - drawn wide two runs back and closed off strongly into fifth, then a close-up fourth last time after racing wide. With a bit of luck, he is right in the thick of it. 3 Happy Trio won three starts back and backed that up with minor placings at his next two. He is drawn ideally in barrier 2. 10 Super Sicario has drawn no lower than barrier 10 in four starts. There was merit to his last-start 11th, and although drawn horribly wide again in barrier 11, it would not surprise to see him improve. Race 5 (1,800m) 6 Mission Strike may have found the 2,000m a stretch too far last start. But his previous run over 1,800m, where he charged home late into second behind Beauty Alliance, is the run to focus on. 1 Harmony Galaxy broke through last start with a drop in the ratings and a rise to 1,800m. He can do it again. 2 Prestige Good posted back-to-back thirds in Class 4. This is his second attempt over 1,800m and, with only five Hong Kong starts, there should be more improvement to come. 4 Can't Go Wong was swamped late by a head into second last start. He is a reliable track-and-distance performer that cannot be ignored. Race 6 (1,200m) 1 Giddy Up had his first start in Class 4 last time and finished second. Barrier 1 provides the perfect opportunity for him to win. 5 Endued is at his third attempt in Class 4 and his first run for Benno Yung's stable. The 3YO was impressive in a recent barrier trial and can improve further. 7 Crystal Powerful won two runs back at the top of Class 5 before returning to Class 4 and won twice over 1,000m. As a two-time winner over 1,200m, the trip holds no fear. 2 Perfect General ran third last time. Given a 42-day freshen-up, he has since won a trial heat and can bounce back. Race 7 (1,200m) 7 Solid Car is building towards his first Hong Kong win. Last start, from barrier 11, he was ridden for luck out the back before surging late into fifth, beaten 1½ lengths by Beauty Destiny. With a bit more luck, he can get his nose in front. 1 Spicy Gold is better suited to this course and distance where he has performed best, following a late-fading sixth to Another World over 1,400m at Sha Tin last time. Barrier 1 gives him every chance to secure a soft run. 5 Storm Rider lost by a head last start and the writing on the wall that another win is near. 9 Lo Pan Spirit will need luck from barrier 11, but he comes off two encouraging thirds. Race 8 (1,650m) 2 Hameron may have finished 2½ lengths away in fourth last start, but he was held up late and looked to have more to give. Zac Purton picks up the ride, and that key jockey booking adds plenty of confidence for a big run. 11 Sturdy Ruby ran from last to seventh from barrier 12 last time. He showed from an inside draw two runs back that he can settle much closer, and that second to M Unicorn reads strongly for this. 5 Definitive has the gate speed. He has just seven starts for one win and two seconds, but holds his form well with an impressive trial. 8 Flying Fortress posted his first local win last time. With only six local runs under his belt, he still has upside. Race 9 (1,200m) 6 Golden Rise closed in nicely for fourth last time in a slowly run race. This marks his third attempt in Class 3 and he looks on track to notch a win in the grade soon. Barrier 1 sets things up well for him. 1 Kaholo Angel contested a hot race at Sha Tin last start, following a win two runs ago. Back at the city circuit, he is a strong chance. 9 Victory Sky is nearing his first Hong Kong win after placing in two of his last three starts, including a promising first try at this course and distance last start. However, barrier 11 is not ideal. 4 Dragon Four Seas rises to Class 3 for the first time after back-to-back wins, both at this track and trip. His on-pace racing pattern ensures he maps well, if he can overcome barrier 10 early. Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
South China Morning Post
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hugh Bowman bags treble as Colourful King lights up Happy Valley with explosive win
Hugh Bowman celebrates his third win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night on Casa Rochester. Photos: Kenneth Chan Hugh Bowman continued his fine form with a treble as former Australian sprinter Colourful King lit up Happy Valley with an explosive victory on Wednesday night. Consolidating second place in the jockeys' premiership, Bowman converted a strong book on paper to a three-timer when he booted home Harmony Galaxy, Stellar Swift and Casa Rochester. The Australian ace was at his brilliant best on Mark Newnham's Casa Rochester, weaving his way through the field from near the tail to lift the import to a narrow triumph in the Class Four Oi Man Handicap (1,650m). 'I had nice rides coming into the meeting and you don't expect them all to win, but [Casa Rochester] had an awkward barrier [eight] but he was aided by a frantic speed and I did think he would be a better horse ridden to hit the line and it proved right,' Bowman said. 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 'I think he's still pretty immature and lacks strength. He might have more in store.' A maiden winner on his only New Zealand start when known as Rochester pre-import, Casa Rochester had raced without luck on his five Hong Kong starts before the breakthrough success. Another import, Harmony Galaxy, started Bowman's big night with his own breakthrough win in the city at start 14 for Danny Shum Chap-shing in the Class Four Wylie Handicap (1,800m). 'Harmony Galaxy has been a work in progress, he needs to relax to produce his best and I was a bit worried going past the post for the first time that he wasn't settling for me but then the pace increased and he got into a really beautiful rhythm,' Bowman said after Brazilian Group One placegetter Harmony Galaxy flew home to beat Can't Go Wong by a short head. 'I thought he got to the front with a bit in hand and he floated a bit and waited so, again, he's still got more up his sleeve but it was great to win for him and the connections.' Stellar Swift was the middle leg of Bowman's treble, capitalising on an inside run in the straight to claim the second section of the Class Four King's Park Handicap (1,200m) for trainer David Hayes. The win of the night belonged to Colourful King, who demolished his opposition with an electrifying display in the Class Three Hong Kong China Rugby Cup (1,000m). After a narrow triumph over Youthful Spirits second up, the David Eustace-trained three-year-old again proved too slick for that galloper but improved his winning margin to a dominant two lengths under Andrea Atzeni. 'He was impressive today,' said Eustace, who continued his winning spree after a Sha Tin treble last Sunday. 'The race looked like it would set up well for him. They were clearly going to go pretty quick up front, which certainly helped, but having said that he won with authority. 'We were confident he would improve – it was only his third start and he trained on really nicely, so we came here hopeful.' Sent off the $3 favourite, Colourful King settled midfield on the fence and sprinted powerfully once Atzeni came off the rail in the straight. 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 He roared past pacesetter Youthful Spirits 75m out, relegating Mark Newnham's speedster to a fourth runner-up result this term. Another ex-Australian galloper, Casa Of Honor, was a distant third on his Hong Kong debut for Michael Chang Chun-wai. Eustace forecast a bright future for Colourful King, a two-time Sandown winner in Australia when known as Blue Renegade. 'He'll keep getting better and better,' said Eustace, who is in the midst of a successful first campaign in Hong Kong with 24 winners. 'I'm mindful of that and I don't want to over-race him this year. As I've said before, I think he will get 1,200m but I wouldn't necessarily want to rush him there either.'
