Latest news with #HarryBentley
South China Morning Post
17 hours ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Lok Golf steps into the unknown: ‘If you never try, you never know'
Chris So-trained galloper's winning streak goes on the line at Happy Valley this Wednesday night Hong Lok Golf will put his winning streak on the line when he faces a tricky test on Happy Valley debut this Wednesday night. Victorious in five of six career starts – all at Sha Tin – including the past three on the bounce, Hong Lok Golf will step into unfamiliar territory for the Class Two Cheung Sha Handicap (1,650m). Fresh from a successful Sha Tin Sunday thanks to the victory of Perfectday, trainer Chris So Wai-yin is confident his stable star will take to the city circuit despite having never even trialled there. 'We didn't have too many options for him but owner [Jackie Wong See-sum] really wanted to race him again, so we picked Happy Valley,' said So. HONG LOK GOLF makes it five from six! 🔥 Chris So's rising star continues his red-hot form with a Class 2 win at Sha Tin under @HarryBentley_!# — Hong Kong Racing (@HongKong_Racing) May 4, 2025 'It seems like he will handle the track but we don't know yet – we have to take a chance. If you never try, you never know. 'I told the owner that many things are unknown but he said 'we have to try'. I think it might suit him.' So was thrilled to see Hong Lok Golf draw barrier four for his first appearance at the tight-turning Valley track, ensuring regular jockey Harry Bentley has options. 'It's a small field and having that good draw is most important. The horse is flexible – he can go in front or come from behind – and his form is still good,' said So of Hong Lok Golf, who coasted into second in a recent dirt trial. 'His trial was OK. It was just a soft trial and he looked good.' After Hong Lok Golf's most recent victory in a Class Two on May 4, So put May 31's Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) on the table for his galloper. Four wins from five starts! 🤯 Hong Lok Golf just keeps getting better as Chris So lands a 400th Hong Kong win as a trainer... 👏 @HarryBentley_ #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 13, 2025 He eventually decided against throwing the son of Grunt in the deep end in a race won by Pray For Mir from 17lb out of the handicap. Cody Mo Wai-kit's charge, who Hong Lok Golf defeated in that Class Two in early May, was hit with a 21-point ratings hike for his troubles. Should Hong Lok Golf win again on Wednesday night and lift his rating well into the 90s, however, So will consider backing him up in the Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m) at Sha Tin on June 22. 'For the Group Three on the 31st, the handicap was no good for us. Cody's horse went up 21 points. That's no good – it's tough to win again,' said So. 'Maybe, we will see [whether we go to the Premier Plate] – let's see how he runs this week first. I want to give him a chance to run at Happy Valley and then we will see. 'I think the 1,650m is suitable for him now but eventually he may need further.' Hong Lok Golf is one of four runners for So at the fourth-last Valley meeting of the season. He also saddles up Young Striker, Our Lucky Glory and Know At Heart.
South China Morning Post
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Dennis Yip at the double as David Hayes cuts title lead down to five
Lean Master gets on top under Harry Bentley for a cosy win. Photo: Kenneth Chan Dennis Yip Chor-hong had his biggest day at the races since Boxing Day when Lean Master headlined a race-to-race double in the Class Four Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup (1,000m) at Happy Valley. The 57-year-old posted a treble at the city circuit a day after Christmas and got his Wednesday night off to a great start when Lean Master thundered home. The Havana Grey galloper enjoyed a midfield trip and in a race where the leaders fell away late on, he got rolling off the top of the home straight and was well on top at the 100m pole to win going away. The victory broke a 16-race losing sequence for jockey Harry Bentley and Yip was full of praise for his tenacious Havana Grey galloper. British import Lean Master toughs out a third win in Hong Kong as he stretches clear in the Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup at Happy Valley! 🏆 @HarryBentley_ #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 21, 2025 'It was a nice win and he's a nice horse, but this race the rating is 43 to 54, so it's not strong,' said Yip. 'But I think my horse is very honest at the 1,000m and 1,200m at Happy Valley because the shorter straight is better for him.' Things got better for Yip just 35 minutes later when Thriving Brothers lived up to his name in the Class Four Cochrane Handicap (1,200m). The four-year-old was given a perfect ride by Matthew Chadwick, sitting in the box seat behind the leaders before being angled for a run off the top of the home straight. Long-time leader Candlelight Dinner kept on stoically under Hugh Bowman but Thriving Brothers was galvanised in the final 100m and got up in the nick of time to collect the prize. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. Irish-bred Thriving Brothers (ex McVay 🇮🇪) launches late for a first Hong Kong win with @mattLchadwixk to secure a Dennis Yip double at Happy Valley! ✌️#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 21, 2025 Meanwhile, trainer David Hayes cut the gap down to five in the trainers' title race when Harmony N Blessed saluted by the narrowest of margins in the Class Three Wyndham Handicap (1,200m). The eight-year-old stalked O'Liner throughout the journey and just as he overtook that rival, $1.6 favourite King Miles surged past them both to take what looked to be the winning lead at the 200m pole. That was not the case, however, as the game Harmony N Blessed refused to lie down and fought back to the lead in the final strides to win by just a nose. Hayes was full of praise for his wonderful servant, who will likely retire in the coming months. Harmony N Blessed just catches the favourite King Miles on the line! 😱@LukeFerraris rides for David Hayes, who moves to within five wins of championship leader John Size... #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 21, 2025 'He's a wonderful horse. It looked like [King Miles] had him cold but he really lifted and fought back strongly. It was a very good ride by Luke [Ferraris],' Hayes said. 'He's quite an old horse. He's won nearly HK$15 million and he was one of the original horses that came when I arrived [in 2020-21] and it's lovely to still have him racing well. 'I would say he would probably retire towards the end of the season but we have to try again at the Valley, don't we?'
