Latest news with #HongLokGolf
South China Morning Post
11-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Chris So has Group One hopes for Hong Lok Golf after exciting Happy Valley win
Group One goals could be on the agenda for Hong Lok Golf next season after the exciting galloper continued his rapid rise with a successful Happy Valley debut on Wednesday night. Sent off the $2.8 favourite for the Class Two Cheung Sha Handicap (1,650m), Hong Lok Golf settled sixth and worked into the race when Harry Bentley made his move on the turn. As the $3.5 second favourite Soleil Fighter shot to the lead early in the straight, Steps Ahead launched a determined challenge to hit the front at the 100m. But it was Hong Lok Golf who dug deep when it counted most, lifting down the centre of the track to edge Steps Ahead by a short head. Soleil Fighter was close behind in third. Hong Lok Golf added to his reputation as a rising star of Hong Kong racing with his sixth win from seven starts. The Chris So Wai-yin-trained gelding should arguably be unbeaten, with a luckless second to Righteous Arion at Sha Tin in February his only defeat. Class act, Hong Lok Golf! 🤯 Chris So's talent lifts his impressive record to six wins from seven starts, lunging late to deny Steps Ahead with a second straight Class 2 win... @HarryBentley_ #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 11, 2025 'I was worried about coming to Happy Valley for the first time, but I thought the horse could be flexible – he can lead, sit off the pace or come from behind - so it was worth the try,' said So. 'Every time he gives you a surprise - he's such a tough horse and never gives up, he always hits the line strongly. I hope he can be a Group One horse in time. 'I don't think we'll go for the Group Three [Premier Plate] next week, there is a [Class One] mile race on July 13 at Sha Tin that we can maybe look at, but we'll see how he pulls up and what the owner thinks.' 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. Bentley, who has been aboard Hong Lok Golf in all seven starts, labelled the four-year-old 'a jockey's dream'. 'This horse is just so tough and he really goes to the well,' Bentley said. Trainer Chris So (second from left), jockey Harry Bentley (centre) and connections of Hong Lok Golf celebrate. 'The pace was a bit sedate, perhaps, for him early on. We got a lovely run through following Steps Ahead but the straight here is a bit on the short side for him and it blunts his staying power, where Sha Tin really suits him with the long straight. 'Chris and his team have done a really good job in keeping him in tip-top shape until now.' A day after celebrating his 33rd birthday, Bentley notched a Valley double after also striking on Jimmy Ting Koon-ho's Smiling Emperor in the Class Five Tai Wo Ping Handicap (1,650m). Elsewhere on Wednesday night, Caspar Fownes extended his lead in the unofficial Valley trainers' championship with a race-to-race double courtesy of Autumn Delight and Capital Delight. Autumn Delight broke through at start six, capitalising on a dream run just off the speed from gate four to claim the second section of the Class Four Tai Hang Tung Handicap (1,200m) under Andrea Atzeni. Andrea Atzeni high-fives the Valley crowd after booting home Autumn Delight. 'It's nice when you can get a result with horses that have a lot of problems,' Fownes said of the four-year-old, who was struck down by a tendon injury last year. 'The owners have been very patient and now they're starting to get the rewards. I think this horse hopefully will improve and win another race before the season finishes.' Capital Delight successfully backed up from a closing second a week earlier to score a barnstorming triumph in the Class Four Tai Kok Tsui Handicap (1,650m) for in-form apprentice Ellis Wong Chi-wang, who has booted home eight winners since the start of May. Known as 'the King of the Valley', Fownes has recorded 25 wins at the city circuit this term. Mark Newnham is his nearest rival with 22. Karis Teetan also chimed in with a brace aboard Smart City and Definitive.
South China Morning Post
09-06-2025
- 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.
New Paper
24-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
May 25 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis
Race 1 (1,200m) 1 Quick Money remains the one to beat after a strong debut second to The All Out, then going one better with a soft win second-up. The rise to 1,200m now looks ideal. 8 Babieca has performed well in both starts to date, finishing third on debut to The All Out before running a close second to Quick Money. He is still racing greenly, so there is plenty of improvement to come. Zac Purton to ride. 4 Light Years Glory debuts from the inside draw and looks well prepared off several pass-mark trials - he can give a good showing. 10 Hyannis Star was well beaten into fourth on debut, 6¾ lengths off The All Out, but has trialled well since and can take a step forward second-up. Race 2 (1,200m) 7 Invincible Ibis is a newcomer who has trialled well enough ahead of his debut to suggest he is in with a chance. Drawn ideally in barrier 2 while key rivals have drawn wide. 10 Goldentronicmighty shed his maiden tag in style last start with an easy two-length course-and-distance win. With the low draw in what looks a moderate race, he can go back-to-back. 3 Call Me Gorgeous has his shot at Class 4 and can make his mark despite barrier 11. His first run in the grade was a passable fourth and he can build on that. 2 Awesome Treasure resumes off a freshen-up and drops in a grade where he boasts a strong record. He should race prominently and give a solid sight under the seven-pound apprentice claim. Race 3 (1,200m) 10 Loveisintheair finally gets to the bigger track at Sha Tin where his chances of breaking through for a first win are boosted. 9 Honest Witness is now third-up, and both his fourth-place finishes have been sound. He has since trialled impressively, winning his heat, and maps to race on speed where he gets every chance. 1 Giddy Up returned to Class 4 two starts ago with a close-up second and was sent out favourite last time where he ran sixth. He is drawn ideally in barrier 3 to settle closer and bounce back at a better price. 6 Copartner Fleet debuts from a horror draw in barrier 12, but his trials have been sharp with Purton aboard. He is one to watch for a promising effort that will pave the way to better things. Race 4 (1,400m) 1 Packing Hermod is hard to oppose even at the top of Class 2 with a heavy impost. The five-time winner from nine starts was last seen bouncing back in a big way with blinkers on for the first time. 2 Young Champion was less than a length off Packing Hermod two starts ago. He was only moderate last time when taken back early from a wide draw, but this looks a good race for him. 6 Dancing Code was forced to settle further back than usual, but hit the line strongly into sixth, beaten just 1½ lengths in an on-pace dominated race. He has yet to win in Class 2 but is worth another shot. 7 Mickley has a local record of one win and zero placings from 10 starts, but he enters off an encouraging fast-finishing fourth behind Hong Lok Golf. Keep safe. Race 5 (1,400m) 3 Super Love drew wide in his first 1,400m test last start, was taken back to find cover, and found the line well into sixth. He can settle closer in the run from barrier 3. 1 Meowth drops back into Class 4 where he is one-from-one. Jockey upgrade to Hugh Bowman and an inside gate help his cause. 6 Ka Ying Glory pulled up a roarer on debut when well beaten as an odds-on favourite, but his trials since have been excellent. 4 Monarch County can settle much closer from barrier 4 after being taken back too far last start, where he finished strongly into third. That effort followed his maiden win at his prior run, and he still looks to have more to offer. Race 6 (1,600m) 6 Mister Dapper was given an ill-judged ride last start when asked to lead, so his fifth-place finish was better than it reads. He draws well in barrier 4 and, with a more measured steer, can bounce back. 7 Wrote A New Page is a progressive three-year-old who put the writing on the wall last start with a strong second at his first attempt over this course and distance. He looks ready to break through. 5 Fortune Boy notched his first win at start six last time, defeating Wrote A New Page, and as another three-year-old still on the rise, he should have more to offer and is worth following up. 11 Special Hedge should roll forward from barrier 10. Since his second win five starts ago, he has remained in form with three placings all over this course and trip. Race 7 (1,400m) 3 Shamus Storm is set to get one of the runs of the race from barrier 2. That bodes well for his chances to finally score a maiden win after going close in all four starts. 4 Max Que enters this race off back-to-back runner-up finishes, and his latest second to Dazzling Fit reads well, especially given he suffered interference in the straight. He shapes as one of several strong hopes in the field. 1 Spirit Of Peace has shown plenty of ability in six starts, but was set an impossible task last time from barrier 12 where he was never really in contention. Better than that. 10 Galvanic is nearing peak fitness after two fair efforts this prep. He draws ideally in barrier 1, and having placed twice from six starts over this course and trip, he is a genuine contender at a price. Race 8 (2,400m) THE STANDARD CHARTERED CHAMPIONS & CHATER CUP (G1) 1 Voyage Bubble will bid to become just the second Hong Kong Triple Crown winner after wins in the Stewards' Cup and Hong Kong Gold Cup. He has stamina to prove at this trip, and gets the nod of approval from his good gate. 2 Dubai Honour is a two-time Group 1 winner over 2,400m, most recently taking out the Group 1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill. He is proven at Sha Tin, having finished second in the Hong Kong Vase last December. Rain will help. 4 Ensued is capable of running a cheeky race. He was close-up in fourth in the Vase and looks well suited stepping back up to this trip. 10 Bundle Award was brilliant when winning the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup last start, but that race was run more like a sprint in a small field. Race 9 (1,000m) 10 Justifying was disappointing last start after creating a big impression on debut with a sizzling all-the-way win. There were not any clear excuses on the day aside from perhaps immaturity and the sharp rise in the handicap second-up. He may be ridden cold this time to help him finish off better. 4 Celestial Hero has trialled up well on several occasions leading into his Hong Kong debut. He brings with him solid Australian form, clearly has some ability, and looks a horse to follow - though winning straight up is never easy. 13 Alsonso has been threatening to break through with back-to-back second-place finishes at this course and distance at the top of Class 4. Now back into Class 3 with a light weight, he looks well placed. 2 Stellar Express has his second run back in Class 3 and returns to this course and distance where his record is strong, after a solid third to Seasons Wit over the minimum trip at Happy Valley last time. Race 10 (2,000m) 8 Gold Master can vie for the run of the race from his low draw, which can prove vital in this highly competitive field. Last start, he jumped from barrier 10 and was solid holding second throughout, missing by only a nose. 1 Bravehearts will find this much easier than his last assignment and gets Purton in the saddle for the first time, which is a notable switch. Third-up now and not beaten far in either run this prep, he is well placed over this trip with strong course and distance stats. 6 Winning Wing broke through impressively two starts ago on his fifth local run after a string of luckless efforts, and held form well last time rising to 2,000m, finishing strongly into third. 7 Liveandletlive does not draw ideally, but he may still find the front with relative ease like last time when defeating both Gold Master and Winning Wing, and he must be considered again. Race 11 (1,400m) 11 Super Express is a talented three-year-old with a future. He now steps into Class 3, which presents more depth, but his trial win between runs suggests he is in fine fettle for the challenge. 7 South Star is another promising three-year-old on the rise, chasing a hat-trick of wins after an ultra-impressive performance on his first attempt in Class 3 last start - he is right in the mix again. 8 Top Dragon rebounded from a luckless run to win his maiden impressively last time. Looks set to continue progressing. 5 Silvery Breeze found the line strongly into fourth first-up after settling too far back. He will strip much fitter now, but barrier 14 may again force him to be ridden for luck. He has the closing speed to feature if things go his way.
South China Morning Post
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Excitement machine Hong Lok Golf digs deep to deliver Chris So his 400th career win
Hong Lok Golf added to his reputation as an exciting galloper on the rise when he dug deep to deliver trainer Chris So Wai-yin his 400th career win at Sha Tin on Sunday. Continuing a near-perfect start to his career, the Grunt gelding made it four wins from five starts when he fought tenaciously to narrowly beat Light Years Charm in the Class Three Sustainability Handicap (1,400m). His latest success crowned a double for So after With A Smile broke through in the Class Four Thriving Youth Handicap (1,400m) and handed the trainer his 400th win in Hong Kong. After starting as a work rider in 1997, So was Caspar Fownes' assistant trainer from 2003 until receiving his own licence for the 2013-14 season. 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 'It's good to celebrate,' a delighted So said after reaching the milestone. The 56-year-old handler has plenty of reasons to be excited about the future with Hong Lok Golf, who arguably should be unbeaten after a luckless second in his only career defeat. Sunday's race developed into a two-horse war between $4.85 second favourite Hong Lok Golf and the $1.9 favourite Light Years Charm, with both four-year-olds making their runs from midfield to loom as strong chances in the straight. Light Years Charm looked to have a slight edge in momentum on the outside under Zac Purton, but Hong Lok Golf responded to Harry Bentley's urgings to prevail by a head. Third placegetter Endeared was more than a length behind in third. 'He's a good horse,' So said of Hong Lok Golf. '[Bentley] said we need to step up [to a mile]. I said 'I think we try to win one more 1,400m and then step up next time'. 'He never gave up and when Zac's horse was coming I thought 'oh no', but my horse when under the whip, he still kept going. It was an impressive win. It seems like he'll keep improving and he seems like a good horse. We'll try our best to push where the limit is.' While So's emerging galloper denied Purton a third winner to end the 11-race card, the trainer and champion jockey were in the winners' enclosure together when With A Smile notched his first victory at start four. Despite being trapped three-wide without cover from gate 12, With A Smile kept on strongly and held off the fast-finishing Max Que to win by a short head. 'I think he keeps improving,' So said of the three-year-old. 'The last time after 1,200m [when third to Little Paradise], Zac told me 'maybe step him up' and I said 'name me the date, I'll make him available for you'. 'I think he needs further but we'll take it step by step. Sometimes when they step up straight away, the horse won't perform. That's been my experience.'
South China Morning Post
08-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
So hopeful Hong Lok Golf can echo the Boom at Sha Tin
Smart four-year-old is looking to follow in the footsteps of his stablemate by remaining unbeaten after three starts by Sam Agars on Saturday, February 8, 2025 12:00 PM Hong Lok Golf salutes under Harry Bentley at Sha Tin last month. Photo: Kenneth Chan He's already done it this season with The Boom Box and now Chris So Wai-yin is hopeful he's got Hong Lok Golf primed to make it three wins from as many starts at Sha Tin this Sunday. Like The Boom Box did on January 26, Hong Lok Golf enters Class Three company on a rating of 66 after consecutive Class Four successes to begin his career. The Boom Box remained undefeated in some style and Hong Lok Golf looks well placed to follow suit from barrier six in the TVB Heroes In White Handicap (1,200m). 'I hope he can be like The Boom Box and win three in a row,' said So of the four-year-old son of Grunt. 'Class Three is totally different but I think he can handle it. He's not carrying a heavy weight, so the step up should be good for him. He's still in good form.' — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 5, 2025 Harry Bentley has been in the saddle for Hong Lok Golf's first two starts and the Englishman will again take the reins this weekend. 'Harry galloped him and he's very happy. I think he will keep improving,' So said of Hong Lok Golf, who carries 124 pounds. 'He's got ability and everything is going right. When he comes back after his gallops he's bounding, he's jumping about. The draw is OK and he should be able to get a good result.' Hong Lok Golf tackles fellow last-start winners Blazing Wind and Triumphant More, as well as the likes of Majestic Express, Alsonso, Rising From Ashes and Call Me Gorgeous. He is one of six runners for So on Sunday, with the 56-year-old also saddling up Top Time, Colourful Winner, Great State, Oldtown and Winning Gold.
