Latest news with #MillionChallenge
South China Morning Post
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Soleil Fighter clinches Million Challenge with Happy Valley win under Ryan Moore
Champion British jockey Ryan Moore helped Soleil Fighter seal victory in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge when he booted home the consistent galloper at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Leading the series on 50 points heading into Wednesday night's finale, Soleil Fighter put the result beyond doubt with a strong win as the $1.45 favourite in the Class Three Tsui Man Handicap (1,650m). Starting a three-meeting stint in Hong Kong as cover for several injured jockeys, Moore was at his brilliant best on the David Hayes-trained gelding before also guiding Moments In Time to victory in the Class One Shan Kwong Handicap (1,650m). 'He did it nicely,' Moore said of Soleil Fighter. Soleil Fighter smashes them under Ryan Moore! 🇬🇧 The DBS x Manulife Million Challenge leader confirms victory in the series for trainer David Hayes, scooping a HK$1 million bonus for owners... @AtTheRaces #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 26, 2025 'He's obviously been in great form and he was a nice ride to pick up. I'm fortunate to ride him.' After a soft run in the box seat from the inside gate, Soleil Fighter worked off the inside on the turn and shot clear once hitting the front at the top of the straight to beat Romantic Laos by a length. Owner Kin Sun Sze-to collected a HK$1 million bonus for Soleil Fighter's success in the Million Challenge, which runs from September to February at the Valley for horses in Class Three and above. 'It's so nice for the owner because the colours get put on the race book for most of the season and the bonus is lovely,' said Hayes, who also won last year's Million Challenge when Tomodachi Kokoroe tied with Danny Shum Chap-shing's Copartner Ambition. 'Ryan thought he got to the front a little bit early and he switched off. It looked like they were coming at him, but he said he had plenty more in hand.' Aurora Lady also bagged 15 points for winning Wednesday night's Class Three Sing Woo Handicap (1,200m), helping him finish second in the Million Challenge on 51 points and deliver connections a HK$350,000 bonus. Red Elegance's victory in the Class Three King Kwong Handicap (1,000m) lifted him to third placing on 48 points, with connections pocketing a HK$150,000 bonus. Soleil Fighter, a two-time winner in Britain pre-import, has been a model of consistency this season with three wins and four placings at the city circuit. The Sea The Moon gelding was bought as a Classic Series hope but sustained a serious injury not long after making the move to Hong Kong. 'What's so nice for this horse, he arrived and fractured a splint bone before he started fast work, so he missed his Derby year,' Hayes said. 'It's nice he's getting a few rewards now and Ryan said there's plenty more to come. 'He was bought for the lead-ups [to the Derby] and he got wiped out with the splint bone, so I really have to thank the owner for being so patient and giving us the chance to develop him. 'I've been dying to get him to Sha Tin, but he started winning the challenge.' Son Pak Fu dives late to claim Copartner Prance! Tony Cruz's charge gets the Class 1 win under a supreme @mattLchadwixk ride at Happy Valley... 💥#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 26, 2025 Elsewhere on the card, Tony Cruz won the opening two races when Son Pak Fu saluted in the Class One Blue Pool Handicap (1,200m) under Matthew Chadwick and Serangoon was lifted home by Harry Bentley in the Class Four Yuk Sau Handicap (2,200m). Son Pak Fu won six Valley races for Benno Yung Tin-pang, but Wednesday night's win was his first since a transfer to Cruz last year. 'This horse seems to love this track,' Cruz said. 'He's won all his races here. Whatever the programme is, he'll definitely come back here.'
South China Morning Post
25-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Karis Teetan picks up Classic Cup ride on Johannes Brahms as Pierre Ng eyes Happy Valley success
Jockey Karis Teetan and trainer Pierre Ng will combine in Sunday's Classic Cup with Johannes Brahms. Photos: Kenneth Chan Karis Teetan has picked up the ride on Johannes Brahms in Sunday's Classic Cup (1,800m) and trainer Pierre Ng Pang-chi hopes to start a big week with a last-gasp DBS x Manulife Million Challenge triumph at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Fresh from his Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) victory on Ka Ying Rising on Sunday, Teetan will team up with Johannes Brahms for the first time when Ng's import bids to repeat his impressive last-start win over 1,600m at Sha Tin. Andrea Atzeni guided the former Aidan O'Brien-trained gelding to victory on February 15, but Ng was forced to search for a new rider with the Sardinian jockey committed to riding Dennis Yip Chor-hong's Noisy Boy in the Classic Cup. 'Before the last run, it was hard to book a jockey for him but luckily we've got Karis on him. Hopefully we get a better draw and he can run well,' Ng said. Tough win, Johannes Brahms! 💪 Former Aidan O'Brien galloper grabs a second win in Hong Kong, taking the Class 2 Heung Yee Kuk Cup at Sha Tin, for @Atzenijockey and Pierre Ng... 🏆#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 16, 2025 Johannes Brahms bounced back from his well-beaten last of 14 when caught wide in the Classic Mile to beat Speed Dragon in the Class Two Heung Yee Kuk Cup. A Naas maiden winner and Group Two runner-up pre-import, the son of Siyouni also won on his third Hong Kong start in December when ridden by James McDonald. Before turning his attention to the second leg of the four-year-old series, Ng has high hopes for I Can and Aurora Lady figuring in the Million Challenge finale at the Valley. Soleil Fighter, the series leader on 50 points, can clinch the HK$1 million bonus for connections if he salutes in the Class Three Tsui Man Handicap (1,650m), but Ng's duo can strike if the David Hayes-trained gelding doesn't win. I Can is tied for second on 42 points with Gustosismo, who isn't racing on Wednesday night. Ng's three-time Valley winner will clash with Soleil Fighter in the Tsui Man Handicap. Running from September to February for Class Three horses and above, the Million Challenge is decided on a format of 15 points for a win, six for second, four for third and three for fourth. 'He's very consistent. He's always very close,' Ng said of I Can. 'He just needs the race run at a suitable pace and he'll run well.' It's the 'Zac Purton Show' at Happy Valley! 📺 The superstar jockey makes it SIX WINS on the card tonight as Aurora Lady denies a fast-closing Beauty Destiny with consecutive victories... 🔥 @zpurton | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 26, 2024 Atzeni will ride I Can and Aurora Lady (36 points), who will bid to improve on his fifth-place standing in the Million Challenge when he contests the Class Three Sing Woo Handicap (1,200m). Also a three-time Valley winner, Aurora Lady returns to the city circuit after having plenty of excuses when ninth to Green N White in the Class Two Chinese New Year Cup (1,400m) at the Lunar New Year meeting. 'It was just a race that didn't suit him and he pulled hard,' Ng said of Aurora Lady, who also pulled up with an epiglottic entrapment and lame in the left front leg the next day. 'He's back to normal now and we're running him at his best distance. He's won three times this season at this track and distance, so I think he will be performing.' The Valley meeting also features two Class One contests, with Ng's Group Three winner Taj Dragon set for the first of them, the Blue Pool Handicap (1,200m). 'He was a bit unlucky last start, he didn't get a clear run,' Ng said of Taj Dragon's fifth behind Lucky With You at Sha Tin. 'He still finished off well even though he was carrying top weight. He definitely has the class for Class One. He's up against some good Happy Valley horses, but hopefully he can go well.'
South China Morning Post
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Ryan Moore enters the fray as Million Challenge comes down to wire
Ryan Moore has been tasked with delivering DBS x Manulife Million Challenge glory to the connections of Soleil Fighter at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Moore, who has been brought to Hong Kong as injury cover and begins a three-meeting stint in the city at the midweek fixture, will partner Million Challenge leader Soleil Fighter for trainer David Hayes in the Class Three Tsui Man Handicap (1,650m). Soleil Fighter sits on 50 points at the top of the competition, which awards 15 points for a win, six for second, four for third and three for fourth. While he could secure the Million Challenge's HK$1 million first prize with victory in Wednesday night's third event, there are three gallopers within striking range and ready to pounce should the five-year-old fail to fire. While currently sitting in equal second position with I Can on 42 points, Gustosisimo won't race on Wednesday night and connections will be relying on results falling their way if they are to scoop some of the prize money, which sees HK$350,000 awarded to second and HK$150,000 to third. I Can steps out in the same race as Soleil Fighter and if the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained galloper were to salute under Andrea Atzeni, he would move to 57 points and victory would be his regardless of where Soleil Fighter finishes. The two gallopers racing later on the programme who remain alive in the Million Challenge, Eternal Fortune and Aurora Lady, need Soleil Fighter and I Can to be beaten to remain a chance of victory by the time they step out. The Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained Eternal Fortune, who will also be ridden by Moore, lines up in the evening's finale, the Class Three King Kwong Handicap (1,000m). Sitting on 40 points, victory would be enough for Eternal Fortune to scoop top prize provided I Can doesn't win and Soleil Fighter misses the top two. Aurora Lady is just within striking distance on 36 points but the Ng-trained runner would need Soleil Fighter to miss out on points completely and I Can and Eternal Fortune to fail to salute. It's the 'Zac Purton Show' at Happy Valley! 📺 The superstar jockey makes it SIX WINS on the card tonight as Aurora Lady denies a fast-closing Beauty Destiny with consecutive victories... 🔥 @zpurton | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 26, 2024 Aurora Lady jumps from barrier five under Atzeni in the Class Three Sing Woo Handicap (1,200m). Further down the Million Challenge leaderboard, Red Elegance and Brave Star are the two other gallopers racing Wednesday night who could grab some minor prize money if results fall their way. Held between September and February, the Million Challenge is open to horses in Class Three and above. Hayes and Shum are chasing back-to-back victories in the competition after Tomodachi Kokoroe and Copartner Ambition shared top honours on 51 points 12 months ago. 'We really want to win it for the owner,' said Hayes. Meanwhile, the entries for this Sunday's Classic Cup (1,800m) have landed as expected, with My Wish, Packing Hermod, Rubylot, Divano, Johannes Brahms, Stunning Peach, Mickley, Noisy Boy, Cap Ferrat, Californiatotality, Packing Angel, Mondial, Steps Ahead and Sky Trust making up the field. Sky Heart is the first reserve for the second leg of the prestigious four-year-old series.
South China Morning Post
17-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Could controversial protest decision cost Sky Trust a spot in the Classic Cup?
Caspar Fownes-trained galloper sits just below cut-off line for second leg of four-year-old series, but he should be given priority to start by officials by Sam Agars on Monday, February 17, 2025 7:10 PM Sky Trust (left) and Winning Gold fight out the finish at Sha Tin on February 9. Photo: Kenneth Chan The controversial protest decision which saw Sky Trust relegated to second on February 9 has left the Caspar Fownes-trained galloper just below the cut-off line for the HK$13 million Classic Cup (1,800m) on March 2, but if common sense prevails the in-form galloper should find himself in the field anyway. A winning result on February 9 would have put the 79-rated Sky Trust safely in the field, but the stewards' decision to demote the galloper because of interference late in the race meant he received only a three-point rise to leave him equal 16th on ratings among the 28 entries released by the Jockey Club on Monday. Of course, attrition could ensure Sky Trust a spot in the field regardless but that should be rendered irrelevant when Jockey Club head of racing product Greg Carpenter releases his priority to start later this week. The top 11 in the ratings – My Wish, Rubylot, Packing Hermod, Divano, Johannes Brahms, Stunning Peach, Mickley, Noisy Boy, Cap Ferrat, Packing Angel and Californiatotality – all look assured of their spot in the second leg of the prestigious four-year-old series, but after that things are more open to interpretation. Six horses look to be fighting for the final three spots, with 80-raters Mondial, Romantic Thor, Steps Ahead and Talents Ambition sitting just ahead of Sky Trust and Lucy In The Sky on marks of 79. Steps Ahead should be guaranteed of his spot after his Class Three 1,800m win on the weekend and Talents Ambition looks to have done enough to warrant selection, while it should be easy to put a line through Lucy In The Sky after he ran fourth over 1,200m on the weekend. That means officials will have to promote Sky Trust – who has won over a mile in Class Three this season – ahead of Mondial and Romantic Thor, which should be a simple enough decision given Mondial has never raced in Hong Kong and Romantic Thor was 11th over a mile on Sunday and is winless from four starts in the city. If they don't, the decision to demote $2 favourite Sky Trust will leave connections smarting yet again. Million Challenge on the line To say the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge fails to capture the imagination of Hong Kong racing fans would be something of an understatement, but this year's edition could be even less inspiring than normal if results fall a certain way at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. While the Million Challenge finale is set for February 26, the competition could be decided a week early if the David Hayes-trained Soleil Fighter salutes on Wednesday night and Eternal Fortune fails to fire. As it stands, Soleil Fighter sits on 46 points with a four-point lead over the second-placed I Can, who isn't running on Wednesday night, and a six-point buffer over Eternal Fortune. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 5, 2025 A win in the Class Three Kap Shui Mun Handicap (1,650m) would see Soleil Fighter move to 61 points, meaning anything less than a top-two finish from Eternal Fortune in the second section of the Class Three Ma Wan Handicap (1,200m) would render next week's finale merely ceremonial. Held between September and February, the Million Challenge is open to horses in Class Three and above, with 15 points awarded for a win, six for second, four for third and three for fourth. The winning connections pocket HK$1,000,000, while second grabs HK$350,000 and third HK$150,000.
