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New Paper
14-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
All hail King Size at his 13th HK crowning moment
HONG KONG John Size secured a record-extending 13th Hong Kong trainers' championship at Sha Tin on July 13 as the master trainer embarked on a familiar coronation march with a treble, further burnishing an extraordinary career. Size sealed the championship with the wins of Sight Dreamer, Raging Rapids and Bundle Award. That left the Australian with 69 wins for the season - beyond the reach of compatriot David Hayes (60), who has only eight entries in the nine races left at the July 16 season finale at Happy Valley. Nearing the end of his 24th season in Hong Kong, Size added to the previous championships he won in 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2022/23, and took his Hong Kong career tally to 1,612 wins - second overall to retired Australian John Moore (1,734). George Moore held the record for the most Hong Kong trainers' titles with 11 until he was joined in 2018/19 by Size, who has also finished second five times and third three times in the championship. Characteristically modest, Size, 71, was proud and reflective on securing his latest crown. "There's a lot of satisfaction in that (winning) and probably something I'm very grateful to achieve," said Size. "It's a very strong and stiff competition and so therefore you have to rise up to it. "As I've said before, I'm surprised that I've been so successful in Hong Kong. It's always been a test of whether I can keep performing at that level and, so far, I've been able to over 24 years and, God willing, and if my health is still okay, I can do it for a little bit longer." Rating Red Lion's Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1,600m) as the highlight of another glorious season, Size said: "That was a really good example of what can happen on a race track and that's what makes the game go round - the vagaries of racing, the uncertainties and the unpredictability of it. "Owners, trainers and jockeys should take some encouragement from those sorts of performances. It just proves it can be done if everything is right on the night. That was very satisfying." Likening the art of training to other sports and vocations, Size described the need to constantly improve as a "natural progression, it's evolution". "Like every business, every sport's the same, training racehorses is no different. You have to keep improving to keep up and you certainly have to be improving to stay ahead," he said. "If you're doing it for a long period of time, I think it's hard to stay in a good position for a quarter of a century. You don't see it every day. "So, I get some sort of gratification from that in my innovations and my attempt to keep up and stay ahead of the younger ones is working to some degree. "Every now and then, I change small things but my approach in general hasn't changed in training horses. But I have to adapt to different scenarios in order to keep winning and, even in 24 years, a lot of things change, so you have to adapt and I've managed to survive." Leading Hayes 66 wins to 60 at the start of the meeting, Size stretched the lead to seven when Sight Dreamer ($42) prevailed in the Class 5 Miraculous Handicap (1,400m) under Andrea Atzeni before Karis Teetan won aboard Raging Rapids ($71) in the Class 4 Medic Kingdom Handicap (1,400m). Bundle Award ($23) shunted Size further clear with a brilliant performance - clocking a searing 21.87sec for the final 400m - under Atzeni in the HK$4.075 million (S$664,000) Class 1 The Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy Handicap (1,600m) to ultimately seal the championship. Already crowned eight-time champion jockey on June 28, Zac Purton ended the Sha Tin season as he started it - with a quartet. The battle for the Tony Cruz Award for the leading homegrown jockey is set for a cliffhanger finish on Jul 16, after both Matthew Chadwick and Derek Leung sliced further into Matthew Poon's lead. With one meeting to go, Poon (36 wins) leads Chadwick (35) and Leung (34), after Chadwick triumphed on Chris So's Devas Twelve to land the Class 4 Pingwu Spark Handicap (1,400m). Leung followed suit on Jimmy Ting's Happy Universe in the Class 4 Solar Hei Hei Handicap (1,600m). HKJC
New Paper
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
July 13 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis
Race 1 (1,400m) 4 Sight Dreamer put the writing on the wall with a strong closing third on his Class 5 debut after drawing wide and settling near the tail. With any improvement off that, he looks a major player. 11 Fairy Horse continues to knock on the door despite remaining a maiden, and his honest profile keeps him in contention. 8 Smiling Collector maps for a much kinder run in transit, gets blinkers on for the first time in his second start in Class 5, and shapes as a knockout chance at odds. 7 Young Horizon is consistent at this level and this course and distance. Fast-finishing fifth last time suggests he is nearing another win. Race 2 (1,400m) 5 Apolar Fighter has been edging closer and now looks well placed to strike after back-to-back thirds over this course and trip. On the quick turnaround and from a low draw, he gets his chance. 1 Circuit Mighty was not beaten far on his Class 5 debut and, while drawn wide, has plenty of time to work across under Zac Purton. 3 Draco is suited by the rise in trip for his second try in this grade after making ground over 1,200m. 4 Gluck Racer did nothing from a wide gate last start but is capable of better and could surprise if he finds a more prominent position. Race 3 (1,200m) 9 Noble Fans was well backed last start and ran a close second to Lucky My Way, suggesting a win is not far off. He is improving with racing and can go one better. 8 All's Well is an improving three-year-old who has been finishing his races strongly and, if he can stay in touch early, shapes as a genuine threat at a price. 1 Fun N Fun Together makes his own luck on the pace and has been consistent on the all-weather, though he now needs to replicate that form on turf. 2 Goldentronicmighty closed off well into third last time despite a wide alley. Drawn wide again, but his recent form holds up in this. Race 4 (1,400m) 8 Loveisintheair has shown glimpses of ability and comes off a fast-finishing second over 1,200m. Still a maiden after seven starts, he is an improving three-year-old who looks poised to break through. 3 Devas Twelve returned to Class 4 last start, rolled forward from a wide draw and was only reeled in late for third. He will be hard to peg back under the right race shape. 9 The Auspicious continues to run well with his typical get-back-run-on pattern and can figure again. 10 Pejibaye has been closing off nicely over 1,200m and now rises to 1,400m fourth-up. A recent trial win has him in good order for this. Race 5 (1,600m) 10 Star Brose had no luck on his first try at the mile when held up at a key stage, yet still managed to run third. With even luck this time, he looks hard to beat. 1 Super Unicorn has been okay at the bottom of Class 3 since joining Mark Newnham and now takes a drop in grade that can sharpen his chances. 5 Etalon Or had every opportunity from barrier 4 last start but again found one better. He has been costly but should offer better value and remains a threat. 2 Frantanck is down sharply in the ratings, and will give them something to catch from the front. Race 6 (1,400m) 8 Smart Fat Cat is heading the right way after two eye-catching runs. He closed strongly for fourth last start despite the race shape being against him. Stronger tempo this time should suit. 1 Voyage Boss was a debut winner two back, then had a torrid trip from a wide gate last time. That is a complete forgive and he is worth another chance from a better draw. 9 World Hero is among the speed influences and his win over Sugar Ball two starts back rates well. 3 Do Your Part impressed two runs ago when taking a sit off the leaders and winning smartly, then backed it up with a solid third after setting a strong pace. Race 7 (1,200m) 6 Rainbow Seven is knocking on the door with three straight placings from as many starts and looks the one to beat. 5 Bulb General defied his odds on debut when charging home into third behind Crossborderpegasus, and his recent trial suggests he has come on since. 10 Winning Machine improved second-up despite a wide trip throughout. With a better draw this time, he can take another step. 2 Champion Instinct had a tough trip last start when trapped wide without cover. While he faces a similar draw again, his past form in this grade stands up. Race 8 (1,600m) 5 Patch Of Theta reunites with Hugh Bowman after closing off well for fourth against a slow tempo last start, and the rider change could prove decisive. 4 Happy Together returned to form with a narrow second to Copartner Prance over 1,400m. Will relish the step back up to the mile. 6 Massive Sovereign resumes off an eight-month break and runs first race for the David Eustace stable. Last season's Derby winner has trialled well. The mile is not his trip, but he can go well on class. 2 Chancheng Glory had excuses when caught wide last start over 1,800m, and the drop back in trip is a key positive. Race 9 (1,600m) 9 Pope Cody is edging closer to a win and, despite drawing poorly again, his recent runs have been full of merit. He finds the line well and gets another crack. 11 Mister Dapper has thrived since transferring to Eustace, chasing a hat-trick now as he steps into Class 3 from a handy draw. 6 Huge Wave returns to the mile, which suits better than the 1,400m last start where he closed off well for fourth. 2 Mickley is hard to catch but his last-start head second to Light Years Charm showed what he is capable of when things go right. Race 10 (1,200m) 6 Little Paradise had excuses last start after missing the jump, racing keenly, and being steadied mid-race. He has since won a trial impressively and can bounce back. 5 Super Infinity has been building towards another win and was unlucky last time when held up late, finishing third once clear. 2 Bundle Of Charm is winless for over a year but has run second in his past two and maps to get a favourable run again. 3 Celestial Hero, now third-up in Hong Kong, took a good step forward last time with a close fourth and can progress further. Race 11 (1,400m) 5 Beauty Bolt shapes as a strong second-up contender after a promising local debut, charging home late into second. 12 Spirit Of Peace made full use of a good draw last start to settle closer and win with something in hand. He faces a class rise but maps well again. 7 Flash Current plugged away over the mile last time. Drops back to 1,400m which suits better. 10 Riding Together was an easy winner in Class 4 last start and, while his previous efforts in Class 3 have not stood out, he is clearly improving with more racing. Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
