Latest news with #JamesOrman
South China Morning Post
17-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ellis Wong and James Orman eye dirt delight on David Hayes' duo Solid Shalaa and Ka Ying Resilience
Ellis Wong Chi-wang and James Orman are optimistic they can deliver David Hayes a Sha Tin dirt double when they ride Solid Shalaa and Ka Ying Resilience, respectively, at Sha Tin this Sunday. Wong bids for back-to-back victories on Solid Shalaa when the comeback galloper rises to Class Three for The Members Cup (1,200m), while Orman is excited to take his first race ride on Ka Ying Resilience in the Class Four Racing Heritage Handicap (1,200m). Struck down by suspensory ligament injuries and a humeral bone injury in the past 12 months, Solid Shalaa has made a strong comeback to run a close second first up before a fast-finishing victory last start. After jumping slowly, the Shalaa five-year-old stormed home from the back half of the field to nail Fun N Fun Together by a neck at the course and distance of Sunday's race. He rises in grade to take on a string of consistent dirt performers, including Gummy Gummy, Bundle Of Charm, Mojave Desert and Mr Energia. Three-timer denied! @elliswong05 and Solid Shalaa foil Zac Purton's running treble with a second win over the course and distance for David Hayes... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 20, 2025 'The horse feels very well at the moment. He has trialled well and is fit,' Wong said. 'He's up to Class Three and I think this race has some pace in it. He doesn't jump really well in his races, so I think the pace can help him. I'm sure he can give a strong finish. 'I hope he can jump better this week and I hope he can be in maybe a midfield position. I'm very happy with him.' 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. Solid Shalaa has drawn gate two in his bid for a third victory on the all-weather track. Wong's 7lbs claim reduces the gelding's weight to 114lbs. Earlier on Sunday's card, Hayes will race Ka Ying Resilience on dirt for the first time and Orman is full of confidence after the three-year-old's recent trial win on the surface. Ka Ying Resilience records a dominant trial win under James Orman. Ka Ying Resilience bolted in by almost four lengths after jumping to the front and cruising along comfortably under Orman. 'I think the surface will definitely suit him, for sure,' Orman said. 'He's a horse that previously played up a little bit in the barriers, but we got him passed at the trials and he really enjoyed that surface on the all-weather. 'We've drawn a good barrier in barrier three, which is helpful, and if he can race like he trialled, I think he's going to take a lot of beating. 'He did it all under his own steam [in the trial], to be honest. It was a good hit-out for him – that was nearing on three weeks ago now, so it was a good hit-out setting him up beautifully for this race. Ka Ying Resilience puts a big margin on his rivals in a recent trial. 'I've sat on him in trackwork – he's a beautiful horse to ride. He canters around lovely and does his work nicely, so I'm very excited.' Ka Ying Resilience is yet to win from seven starts but has shown glimpses of ability, with a second on debut last term and a close second down the 1,000m straight first up this campaign. The son of Blue Point lines up in a competitive race headlined by Ricky Yiu Poon-fai's Rising Force, who is fresh from a superb two-length victory on debut on the dirt in March. Fun N Fun Together and recent dirt winners Natural High, Fortune Warrior, California Star and Daily Trophy also feature in the race.
South China Morning Post
18-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Orman pumped to start short-term contract at the Valley
Multiple Brisbane premiership-winning rider set to fulfil a dream when he starts Hong Kong stint on Wednesday night by Jay Rooney on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 10:47 AM Australian jockey James Orman starts his Hong Kong stint on Wednesday night. Photo: HKJC A trip to Hong Kong seven years ago sparked James Orman's ambition to ride in the city and the Australian jockey will fulfil that dream when he starts a short-term contract at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Orman was 21 when he and his now wife, Heidi, visited Hong Kong, with a trip to the races at Sha Tin and the Valley capturing his imagination. 'We just had a holiday there to see my brother-in-law and thought it was an amazing place,' Orman said. 'The racing was amazing. The crowds were much bigger than back home.' — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) September 22, 2024 A prolific winner in Queensland, including three consecutive Brisbane metropolitan premierships, Orman was given a golden opportunity when he was called on by the Jockey Club to help fill the void left by injured riders Zac Purton, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and Angus Chung Yik-lai. The 27-year-old has been licenced until April 2 along with Briton Richard Kingscote, who also makes his Hong Kong debut at the Valley on Wednesday night. 'This is the next step for me and it's something I've always wanted to tick off,' Orman said. 'I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait.' Sensational effort guys !! James Orman & Mike Costa take a bow They combined to win 5 of the 7 races at Jebel Ali last night in the UAE 🇦🇪 @JimmyOrman 6 rides-5 winners ✅ And he's not done with just yet Rides at a Meydan meet this wk before coming home@mcosta_racing — STEVE HEWLETT 🏇🎣 🛥👩🦳📻🏃♂️ (@stevejoseph69) November 4, 2023 Despite falling short of Group One glory in his 12 years in the saddle, Orman has racked up more than 1,300 winners and been a constant force in the Australian premiership in recent seasons. He has also tasted success overseas, including a stunning five-timer at Jebel Ali in 2023 in one of his two Dubai stints. Orman joins a strong Hong Kong riding roster that includes a familiar face in Ben Thompson, who made the move from Queensland 12 months ago. 'I've been speaking to Ben and just trying to get in contact with the trainers and build some relationships,' said Orman, whose minimum riding weight is 122 pounds. 'Hopefully I can get some good rides and I just want to do as best as I can and have a good crack. I haven't really got any particular goals there – more so just get over there and do my best.' Orman will make a low-key start to his Hong Kong venture with just one ride at the Valley – Magic Beans in the first section of the Class Four Kwai Chung Handicap (1,200m). Trained by last season's premiership winner Francis Lui Kin-wai, Magic Beans heads to the city circuit after a well-beaten 11th behind Magnifique at Sha Tin on his race debut. Kingscote also has just one Valley ride – Brave Joy also for Lui in the Class Four Tsuen Wan Handicap (1,000m). The 38-year-old has won multiple Group Ones in Britain and Ireland and boasts international experience in Japan, Dubai, Australia, France, Bahrain and Turkey. His minimum riding weight is 121 pounds.
