Latest news with #StepsAhead
South China Morning Post
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Tony Cruz celebrates 2,500 Hong Kong wins as a jockey and trainer after Sha Tin double
Legendary figure reaches another big milestone after Liveandletlive and Winning Ovation win Sunday's final two races Tony Cruz's status as a legend of Hong Kong racing elevated to a new level again on Sunday when he reached 2,500 wins as a jockey and trainer with a double at Sha Tin. A winner of 946 races in his time in the saddle which included six Hong Kong championships, Cruz hit the new milestone when striking in Sunday's final two races with Liveandletlive and Winning Ovation. The now 68-year-old made a seamless transition to training with two championships and a swag of Group One wins with some of the city's top gallopers, headlined by champion Silent Witness who won 17 consecutive races. 'I'm very happy with that. It's great,' Cruz said after training his 1,554th winner. Tony Cruz is INCREDIBLE! 👑 Winning Ovation brings up the legendary figure's 2,500th win in Hong Kong as both a jockey (946 wins) and trainer (1,554 wins) with success in the finale under @AlexisBadel... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 4, 2025 Cruz was quick to deflect praise to jockeys Angus Chung Yik-lai and Alexis Badel for their rides on Liveandletlive and Winning Ovation, respectively. A two-time winner in Britain under the same name, Liveandletlive broke through for his first Hong Kong success at start seven when leading all the way in the Class Three Chatham Handicap (2,000m). Chung controlled the race from the front on the $9.75 chance and he lifted when challenged by Gold Master to prevail by a nose in a thrilling finish. 'I must give credit to Angus on Liveandletlive – he rode a perfect race,' Cruz said. '[Gold Master] went past him, but he fought back just on the wire. All credit to Angus.' Liveandletlive's best previous run in the city was a close third to Steps Ahead in February. The Muhaarar four-year-old had excuses on his start before Sunday's victory, running seventh to Winning Wing after knuckling over at the start and unbalancing Chung. Another British import, Winning Ovation, capped Cruz's day to remember with an impressive triumph in the Class Three Austin Handicap (1,400m). Settling third on the fence from gate one, the three-year-old was hooked off the inside by Badel and pounced on pacesetter Yuen Long Elite to take control at the 150m. He soared clear at his second local start to beat heavily-backed $3.2 favourite Yuen Long Elite by a length. 'The jockey, Alexis Badel, rode a perfect race. The barrier draw was a benefit – if we didn't have that, we might not have won the race,' Cruz said. Winning Ovation won at Salisbury and finished midfield in Royal Ascot's Group Two Coventry Stakes (1,200m) when known as Nascimento pre-import. Elsewhere on Sunday's card, trainer Chris So Wai-yin was in awe of Hong Lok Golf's fifth victory at start six in the Class Two Hillwood Handicap (1,600m). On his first start over a mile, the emerging four-year-old dug deep to beat Pray For Mir by half a length in a tight finish. 'Wow,' So said. 'In the straight when I saw [Pray For Mir], I thought he would beat us. But I spoke to Harry [Bentley] and he just said that he wasn't that worried. 'The last 100m, he did it easy. I was just a bit worried because he was stepping up from 1,400m to 1,600m and for some horses it's a big challenge.' So will consider setting Hong Lok Golf, who was an unlucky second on his only career defeat in February, for upcoming features such as the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) on May 31. 'We now have the choice whether to give him a break or another run. There's Group races coming at the end of May, but we will decide,' So said.
South China Morning Post
20-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Californiatotality bounces back from Derby defeat to land betting plunge in Lions Cup
Tough four-year-old Californiatotality landed a late betting plunge when he bounced back from his Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) flop with victory in Sunday's Class Two Hong Kong Lions Cup (1,800m). Brown-lamped late in betting from $16 to $6.2, the Tony Cruz-trained gelding notched his fourth win of the season after a fading 11th behind Cap Ferrat in last month's Derby. Camped behind a solid speed set by Voyage Samurai, Californiatotality looked in trouble approaching the turn when coming under pressure and failing to respond to Alexis Badel's urgings. However, he kept on willingly down the centre of the track to prevail over Steps Ahead and Pray For Mir in a thrilling three-way finish. Three-way finish! 📸 Californiatotality edges past Steps Ahead and Pray For Mir in a thriller under @AlexisBadel and Tony Cruz in the Class 2 Hong Kong Lions Cup... 🏆#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 20, 2025 'I think it's the second or third time he's beaten that horse, Pray For Mir,' Cruz said after Californiatotality relished a light weight of just 116 pounds to win by a short head. 'Today you can see the lightweights are winning. It's a fast track today. First, second, third, even fourth – it was all the lightweights coming in. 'I think 1,800's perfect for him – light weight, even better.' While the strength of this year's Derby crop has been questioned, the form was given a little boost by Californiatotality, Steps Ahead and Bundle Award, who had excuses when a beaten $2 favourite in the Hong Kong Lions Cup. Jockey Zac Purton told stewards he intended to settle Bundle Award in a more prominent position, but the John Size-trained gelding's slow start forced him back to third last. The son of Shamus Award was disappointed for clear running between two runners near the 250m and had difficulty obtaining a clear run over the final 150m. Californiatotality notched his fourth win of the season and sixth overall from 19 starts. Cruz said the son of Zoustar will not make the leap to Group Three level in next month's Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m), but he could be a candidate for a late-season feature such as the Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m) in June. Cruz's likely Queen Mother Memorial Cup runners Winning Dragon, Five G Patch and La City Blanche ran seventh, eighth and last of 11 respectively behind Californiatotality on Sunday. Elsewhere on Sunday's card, punters were on the money again when the brown-lamped Moduleconstruction saluted in the Class Three Ngau Tau Kok Handicap (1,200m). Firming late from $23 to $10, the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained gelding sat outside of the lead and kept on strongly under Lyle Hewitson to beat Super Infinity by a neck. Super training performance, Francis Lui! 👊 After setbacks, Moduleconstruction rolls to a third career win for connections at Sha Tin... @LyleHewitson #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 20, 2025 Moduleconstruction has overcome two major injuries – a tendon injury in December 2023 and suspensory ligament injury last September – to return to the winners' list. 'He's had bad injuries twice, but his last run [when fourth to Geneva] was impressive and I think today it's good for the front-runners,' Lui said. 'He likes to go out in front.' Meanwhile, Cruz was fined HK$15,000 on Sunday for breaching the Trainers' Handbook Regulation when 'during a compliance check conducted in his stable on February 25 he was found in his possession medication that had not been approved by the Club's Veterinary Departments'. Stewards also suspended Karis Teetan and James Orman each for one meeting for careless riding.
South China Morning Post
19-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Steps Ahead and Bundle Award bid to strengthen Derby form in Sha Tin Class Two
Steps Ahead and Bundle Award headline a trio of four-year-olds dropping back from the 2,000m of the Hong Kong Derby to contest Sunday's Class Two Hong Kong Lions Cup (1,800m) at Sha Tin. While there are questions about the strength of this year's Derby, won in an upset by maiden galloper Cap Ferrat, Steps Ahead and Bundle Award will be joined by Californiatotality in attempting to boost the form from the city's biggest race. Rubylot was the first four-year-old to reappear from the Derby, but he finished eighth of nine runners behind Divano last Sunday in what was more of a warm-up run for the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) next weekend. Steps Ahead was sent out an $82 roughie in the Derby and was only beaten two and a half lengths in ninth, despite running into trouble twice in the straight. HISTORY AT SHA TIN! 👏👏@CWilliamsJockey wins the 148th @BMW Hong Kong Derby aboard Cap Ferrat for trainer Francis Lui over a fast-closing My Wish... #4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 23, 2025 The Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained gelding was a Class Three winner at the course and distance of Sunday's race in February and a solid fifth to Rubylot in the Classic Cup (1,800m) before the Derby. 'He'll be having his first run back from the four-year-old series. In the Classic Cup and Derby he ran quite well,' jockey Lyle Hewitson said. 'He probably should have finished closer if he had have got more room in the straight, so I was happy with him.' While Steps Ahead drops to a career-low 118 pounds on Sunday, the son of Written By has to overcome barrier 10 in a competitive field of 11. Champion jockey Zac Purton will partner Bundle Award for the first time, with the John Size-trained gelding fresh from a two-length seventh in the Derby. The former Australian galloper won his previous start, a Class Two over 1,800m, and a 1,400m race in January. 'Obviously he won well two starts back over the track and distance,' Purton said. 'He ran a nice race in the Derby, he gets in well into this race with a light weight [121 pounds] and he's drawn well [barrier three], so he'll be a chance.' Californiatotality will be out to bounce back from a his 11th behind Cap Ferrat on March 23. The Tony Cruz-trained gelding is a three-time winner this term, including two at the course and distance of Sunday's race, and could be dangerous with just 116 pounds. Alexis Badel will ride Californiatotality, who has drawn gate five. Elsewhere on Sunday's 10-race card, Hewitson will bid to repay the faith shown by Lui and Gallant Epoch's connections in the Class Four Tsing Lung Tau Handicap (1,400m). 'I erred in judgment last time, so it's nice that I got the opportunity again and hopefully we get back to winning ways,' the South African jockey said of Gallant Epoch's last-start 12th at Happy Valley when he faded after being pushed forward early to lead. 'He has become quite a funny horse. I don't think he's putting it all in but once he gets control of a race, then he's quite good. 'Hopefully he can do that again and be strong off the front. It looks a competitive race.' Gallant Epoch made all to brilliantly score by two lengths at Sha Tin three starts ago.
South China Morning Post
22-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Joao Moreira jumps aboard Francis Lui's Packing Angel in search of third Hong Kong Derby win
Brazilian jockey looks to follow up successes atop Rapper Dragon and Sky Darci in city's most prestigious race Three jockeys have enjoyed a pair of BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) successes in the past decade, but its Brazilian superstar Joao Moreira who looks best placed to chase a third victory in the hallowed contest at Sha Tin on Sunday. While Zac Purton is in the final stages of his return from injury and Hugh Bowman rides outsider Lo Rider, Moreira joins forces with one of the more-fancied chances in the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained Packing Angel. A close fourth behind Rubylot in the Classic Cup (1,800m) after three straight wins at 1,400m, Packing Angel – a son of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking – looks well equipped to run the 2,000m of the Derby and Moreira should be able to find a prominent position with cover from gate six. 'I hope in his last run he learned a little bit more and Joao also knows him [now],' said Lui of Packing Angel, who was ridden by Moreira for the first time in the Classic Cup. Rubylot mows them down in the Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin! My Wish is brave in defeat as @brentonavdulla and David Hayes combine for victory... 🏆#4YOSeries | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 2, 2025 'He's a good horse. He only had six runs before the Classic Cup and he just went straight from 1,400m to 1,800m, which is a little bit much for a young horse.' While Moreira enjoyed Derby success in 2017 with Rapper Dragon and 2021 with Sky Darci, Lui will chase a second win in five years after snaring the 2020 edition of the race with the great Golden Sixty. 'It's the owner's dream for their four-year-old horses. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance and it's a very special race. Hopefully, I can win it again this year,' Lui said. While Packing Angel is Lui's leading chance in a race where the David Hayes-trained Rubylot is expected to lead the market, the veteran handler will also be represented by Cap Ferrat and Steps Ahead. Cap Ferrat will be ridden by Craig Williams and Lyle Hewitson pilots Steps Ahead for the 66-year-old. '[Cap Ferrat has] drawn barrier two, which is a good draw. The connections expected it, they're happy. I think he has a chance,' said Lui of his son of Snitzel, who finished ninth from gate 10 in the Classic Cup. 'He had a bad draw and he had to use him a little bit more in front last time. It's much easier to relax him from gate two. Hopefully, we can find a good position. '[Steps Ahead is] an honest horse and he's in good form. He always tries hard and you never know.' Moreira, who jets into Hong Kong for the third time this season, will be busy on the Derby undercard, jumping aboard The Heir, Packing Hermod, Island Breezes, Parterre, Everyone's Star, Master Trillion and Pakistan Legacy. After piloting Packing Hermod to victory on international day in December, he fittingly partners Lui's four-year-old in Sunday's Class Two Rapper Dragon Handicap (1,400m).
South China Morning Post
19-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hugh Bowman lays Hong Kong Derby marker with Happy Valley double
Ahead of his bid for a third victory in the city's most prestigious race, Australian rider boots home Power Koepp and M Unicorn at city circuit Hugh Bowman warmed up for his tilt at a third BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) victory at Sha Tin on Sunday with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Set to ride the Caspar Fownes-trained Lo Rider in the city's most prestigious race, Bowman was in top form at the city circuit when booting home Mark Newnham's new recruit Power Koepp and Fownes' M Unicorn. The champion Australian rider, who has won the Derby on Werther (2016) and Furore (2019), believes Lo Rider can make an impact after a close second to Steps Ahead and fourth to Bundle Award on his past two starts. 'I'm on a horse that's certainly capable of winning,' said Bowman, who also returns to Sydney on Saturday to ride Rivellino in the Group One Golden Slipper (1,200m) at Rosehill. Hong Kong Hughie reaches 50 wins this season! 👌 M Unicorn brings up the milestone victory as well as a double for @HugeBowman at Happy Valley... #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 19, 2025 'He's going to need some things go his way, but I think it's a very open race and I'm delighted to be involved.' After stints with John Size and Manfred Man Ka-leung, Power Koepp broke through for his first victory in almost two years with a powerful stable debut for Newnham in the second section of the Class Four Wong Nai Chung Handicap (1,200m). Bowman had the hot $2.1 favourite perfectly placed one out and one back from gate two and he soared clear in the straight to beat My Day My Way by a length and a half. Bowman clinched his brace with a superb mid-race move on M Unicorn, sending the Savabeel gelding forward from the back half of the field to snatch the lead at the 600m en route to a commanding victory. The six-year-old kept finding after Bowman's move to easily account for Sturdy Ruby by two lengths. 'He just has difficulty getting himself involved early and I'd spent no energy. I felt the pace wasn't strong so I thought 'I can't come from back and through them,' which was my preferred option,' Bowman said. 'The horse was in good form, so I thought I would make some use of him mid-race and it turned out to be the right move.' Newnham bounced back from the narrowest of defeats in the Class Three Percival Handicap (1,000m), with Youthful Spirits nailed by Colourful King by a nose, to win the following race with Power Koepp. The Australian handler, who saddles Classic Mile victor and Classic Cup (1,800m) runner-up My Wish in the Derby, was in disbelief after Youthful Spirits' bid to make all came up agonisingly short. 'He's a hard horse to win with, everyone knows what he's going to do and it's that last 50m that's always a challenge,' Newnham said. 'Tonight I thought he held on.' While he was elated to score with former Australian sprinter Colourful King on his second Hong Kong start, trainer David Eustace was also convinced Youthful Spirits had won. Colourful King nails Youthful Spirits! 😱@EustaceRacing's son of Blue Point, a two-time winner at Sandown in Australia, gets off the mark in Hong Kong with @Atzenijockey at Happy Valley...#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 19, 2025 'I really, really thought [Colourful King] was beat, so it's obviously pleasing he ran well but I thought he was chinned,' Eustace said. 'I think he's potentially an exciting horse – lightly raced and still working things out.' A two-time Sandown winner from five pre-import starts when known as Blue Renegade, Colourful King delivered Eustace and jockey Andrea Atzeni their first win together. 'We've both been patient and we haven't lost faith,' Eustace said. Beauty Destiny - WOW. 🤯 Frankie Lor's sprinter swamps rivals in the nightcap at Happy Valley to win a fifth race this season and first in Class 2 over Aurora Lady... 🔥 @Atzenijockey @Beautystablehk | #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 19, 2025 Atzeni joined Bowman with a double when he booted home Frankie Lor Fu-chuen's in-form sprinter Beauty Destiny in the Class Two Sports Handicap (1,200m). The Star Turn gelding continued his stunning transformation with a fifth win from his past six starts. Elsewhere on the Valley card, Karis Teetan snapped a streak of 50 winless rides with victory on Douglas Whyte's Ace Power in the Class Four Craigengower Cricket Club Cup (1,200m). Antoine Hamelin notched his fourth success of the season when he lifted Cody Mo Wai-kit's Spicy Spangle home in the Class Four Hong Kong Football Club Centenary Cup (1,000m).
