Latest news with #JanuaryCup
South China Morning Post
05-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Harry Bentley confident Helene Feeling and Flash Current can strike at Sha Tin
Armed with a solid book of rides at Sha Tin on Sunday, Harry Bentley is confident he can add to his strong record on Helene Feeling when they team up in the Class Two Faculty Of Education Alumni Handicap (1,600m). The British jockey made an immediate impact on his first ride on Danny Shum Chap-shing's consistent galloper when he guided him to a career-best victory in the Group Three January Cup (1,800m) at Happy Valley. He was also aboard Helene Feeling on his following two starts, registering a third and close second at the city circuit, while Luke Ferraris hopped on for the former British galloper's last start when he ran a brave third to Bundle Award. Despite shouldering top weight of 135 pounds and racing wide without cover most of the way from gate 12, Helene Feeling fought on bravely. Danny Shum's stable is on fire! 🔥 It's a second Group 3 win in Hong Kong for @HarryBentley_ as Helene Feeling prevails in a tight January Cup at Happy Valley to give his trainer a treble... @AtTheRaces | #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 8, 2025 'He's been a model of consistency this season and continues to run really well,' Bentley said. 'I get on with him really well, he's a jockey's dream really. He's a big horse with a big stride and sticks his head out all the way.' A five-time winner from 24 local starts, Helene Feeling again carries top weight of 135 pounds when he drops back from 1,800m on Sunday. Bentley hopes a kinder run from gate four in the small field of seven will boost Helene Feeling's claims. 'There looks to be a little bit of pace in there with Voyage Samurai, so I imagine we just keep it simple with him,' Bentley said. 'He's been relaxing really well and especially over the 1,600m, that's not going to be an issue at all. I imagine we'll just take a lead and the small field, you'd like to think that would make it a little bit easier. 'Naturally [the weight is] something to contend with, but he's a big horse and he can carry the weight.' In an even race that headlines the 10-race card, Helene Feeling takes on The Golden Scenery, Winning Dragon, C P Brave, Voyage Samurai, Snowfield and Woodfire Bro. Bentley, who has ridden 20 winners this term, also has high hopes for promising four-year-old Flash Current in Sunday's Class Four The CUHK Alumni Cup (1,200m). The Jimmy Ting Koon-ho-trained gelding stormed home from last to score an impressive victory second up before running on strongly again for third behind Akashvani last start. 'Obviously his first run was less than ideal with nowhere to go, but I was happy to jump on him the next time and he won really well down the outside,' Bentley said. 'Last time was another really good run, but I think the horses on the front got an easy time of it and from my barrier, I just had to go a little bit further back. He's coming into the race in good order and we hope for another good run.' Flash Current and Akashvani clash again on Sunday, with Bentley's mount the beneficiary of an eight-pound swing on David Hayes' impressive debut winner. Akashvani rises to top weight of 135 pounds and faces another wide draw in gate 12. 'He was obviously a pretty impressive winner in that race, so he's going to be a horse I've got to keep my eyes on, but the fact he's got an awkward draw perhaps brings things a bit more in line with me,' Bentley said of Akashvani. '[Flash Current is] probably not the quickest into stride, but hopefully now he's got a little bit more experience under his belt, he might be able to jump that bit faster and be in a slightly more prominent position. I have to see on the day and speak to Jimmy, but I presume we'll be happier to get more of a midfield pitch.' Perfecto Moments, Matters Most, King Of Dubai and Morgan Success are Bentley's other rides on Sunday.
South China Morning Post
30-01-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Lor backs Happy Together to take advantage of weight drop in Centenary Vase
Veteran handler rates consistent galloper 'a better chance this time' in Group Three feature on Lunar New Year card by Jay Rooney on Thursday, January 30, 2025 2:31 PM Alexis Badel guides Happy Together to victory in last year's January Cup. Photos: Kenneth Chan Happy Together was brave in defeat under top weight last start and Frankie Lor Fu-chuen believes the consistent galloper gets an even better chance to strike in Friday's Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) at Sha Tin. Defending his Group Three January Cup (1,800m) crown at Happy Valley on January 8, Happy Together stormed home from near last under 135 pounds to fall half a length short of winner Helene Feeling when a game second. The six-year-old had trouble securing a clear run around the home turn when improving into a narrow gap between Star Contact and Helene Feeling, adding further merit to his performance. Despite remaining towards the top of the weights off a mark of 111, Happy Together drops four pounds with the inclusion of the 115-rated Straight Arron in the HK$4.2 million feature. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 8, 2025 'I think he has a better chance this time because he doesn't have to carry 135,' Lor said. 'He still has 131, but I think the horse still has a bit of improvement in him and I think this will be his best season. I think he will run a good race.' A revelation since joining Lor's stable in 2023, Happy Together has racked up five wins and raced with distinction at the highest level. The former Irish galloper was a solid fourth to Romantic Warrior in last term's Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) and fifth, promoted from sixth on objection, behind Voyage Bubble in December's Group One Hong Kong Mile. He had excuses when a beaten $3.2 favourite in last year's Centenary Vase, finishing seventh behind Nimble Nimbus, who chases back-to-back successes in the race on Friday. The field of 11 also features Lor's dual dirt winner Sword Point, Chancheng Glory, Ensued, La City Blanche, Five G Patch, Encountered, Hong Kong Derby prospect Stunning Peach and Winning Dragon. Sword Point returns to the turf after his second all-weather triumph from as many starts on the surface, which prompted Lor to enter him for the Group One Dubai World Cup (2,000m) and Group Two Godolphin Mile on dirt in April. 'It won't be easy for him on the turf and he needs to carry 131, but I think he can still go close,' Lor said. 'There aren't many dirt races for him and I've entered him for Dubai, but at this moment I haven't heard any reply from them yet.' Lor will be represented in Friday's Classic Mile by Top Gun, who will be ridden by top Australian jockey Jamie Melham. 'He's not really one of the leading chances at the moment, but maybe a change in jockey will bring out some improvement,' Lor said of the Time Test gelding, who has won once from eight Hong Kong starts.
