Latest news with #TonyCruzAward
New Paper
5 days ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Poon wins Tony Cruz Award by a whisker
HONG KONG Matthew Poon withstood an inspired season-finale push from Derek Leung, to claim his first Tony Cruz Award as Hong Kong's leading home-grown jockey in dramatic circumstances at Happy Valley on July 16. With Leung's wins on Me Tsui's Vulcanus in the Class 4 Let Me Fight Handicap (1,200m) and Frankie Lor's Regal Gem in the Class 3 Sun Jewellery Handicap (1,200m), officials resorted to a countback for thirds after both Poon and Leung finished tied on 36 wins and 38 seconds. Poon, who honed his craft in Adelaide where he earned his nickname the Poon Train, claimed the award named after the former legendary Hong Kong jockey, now a top trainer, with 56 thirds to Leung's 35. "It's a really great competition and good motivation for all of us. We stay very focused and hungry throughout the season," said Poon, who enjoyed successful stints at Kranji as an apprentice jockey attached to the Shane Baertschiger yard in 2017 and 2018. "All of the local jockeys improve as a result. I think it really encourages every local jockey to improve. "I'm so glad I can get there and it means a lot to win my first one. Hopefully I'll win a second one." Without a win in 39 rides since June 4, Poon owed his eventual crowning - his second after the Hong Kong champion apprentice title seven years ago in the 2017-18 season - to his second placing on Ragnarr behind Speedy Smartie in the opening event, the Class 5 Silver Grecian Handicap (1,200m). Incidentally, Speedy Smartie handed trainer Benno Yung, 66, a perfect send-off with win No. 361 on his last day before retiring. The destiny of the Tony Cruz Award hovered in the balance until the 847th and final race of the season with Matthew Chadwick still able to clinch the coveted prize for the second time with a win on Thriving Brothers, while Poon could have sealed victory with success on Copartner Fleet. Thriving Brothers loomed to take the lead in the straight before finishing fourth, while Copartner Fleet faded into ninth place, leaving Leung to celebrate aboard Regal Gem. Leung finished the season in a blaze with seven wins across the closing eight meetings, but even that late flourish at the eleventh hour proved too little too late for that decisive blow. "The competition is a positive for the local jockeys," said Leung. "It's a good result for me and I hope I can bring this form for next season and have a good start - tonight, I can't catch the (Poon) Train." Already crowned eight-time champion jockey Zac Purton took his final season tally to 138 wins with a race-to-race double on Francis Lui's Highland Rahy and Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Waves in Race 8. Australian trainer John Size who sealed his 13th title last week, returned home empty-handed at the finale, settling on a score of 69 winners. As a spin-off to the trainers' premiership, Caspar Fownes reclaimed his King of the Valley title as Happy Valley's leading trainer of the season when James Orman piloted Monarch County to victory in Race 2. Fownes, who holds the record for the most wins by a trainer at Happy Valley with 628 victories, topped the city circuit's standings this season with 27 to Mark Newnham's 24. HKJC
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Matthew Poon holds off charging Derek Leung to win Tony Cruz Award at Happy Valley finale
Matthew Poon Ming-fai clung on to win his maiden Tony Cruz Award in a remarkable photo finish with Derek Leung Ka-chun at Wednesday night's season finale at Happy Valley. The 31-year-old entered the night one clear of Matthew Chadwick and two ahead of Leung, but it looked set to be a heartbreaking evening when Ragnarr arrived a nose too late in the opening Class Five Silver Grecian Handicap (1,200m). Frustration would have been building for Poon just 30 minutes later when Flying Wrote missed out in a photo in the Class Four Star Shine Handicap (1,200m), and Leung drew ominously closer in the next when Vulcanus ran riot in the Class Four Let Me Fight Handicap (1,200m). The local riders' premiership went down to the final race, with Chadwick needing a win to snatch the title from Poon. That looked likely 100m out when Thriving Brothers flew to the lead, but three other rivals flashed over the top in a remarkable finish, with the Leung-ridden Regal Gem getting up in the final stride. FOR THE FINAL TIME IN 2024/25... 😤 Regal Gem lands a first win in Hong Kong, grabbing the final race of the season over Storming Dragon at Happy Valley as Derek Leung seals a double! ✌️#SeasonFinale | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) July 16, 2025 That tied Poon and Leung on firsts and seconds, but with Poon ahead by a substantial margin on third-place finishes, he took the title by the barest of margins. 'It's a really great competition. It's good motivation for all of us. We stay very focused and hungry throughout the season,' said Poon. 'All of the local jockeys improve as a result. 'I think it really encourages every local jockey to improve. I'm so glad I can get there and it means a lot to win my first one – hopefully I will win a second one as well.' Elsewhere, S J Tourbillon continued his brilliant end to the season by completing a hat-trick in the Class Four Turin Redsun Handicap (1,800m) under Karis Teetan. Three wins in a row! Former @coolmorestud galloper S J Tourbillon continues his sizzling form for @KarisTeetan and Dennis Yip at Happy Valley... 💪#SeasonFinale | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) July 16, 2025 The pair had a lot of ground to make up coming off the bend, but Teetan galvanised his mount and they surged to the front 100m out and were quickly away for an emphatic success. 'In the mornings he's very fresh and Karis said after his last trackwork that the horse was more confident – he'd seen a big change in the horse. Karis was very confident about this race,' said trainer Dennis Yip Chor-hong. 'He carried 14lb more than he did for the first of his wins – it was a big change and he's done really well. 'If he can keep the form I think he can win again. The 1,800m and 2,000m races in Class Three aren't very strong so I'm confident he'll win again next season.' It was the first leg of a double for Teetan, who also snagged the Class Four Super Oasis Handicap (1,650m) aboard Amazing Run for David Hayes. There was a feel-good moment, too, with Benno Yung Tin-pang grabbing a farewell winner with Speedy Smartie in the Silver Grecian Handicap. Luke Ferraris went wire-to-wire on the five-year-old, who got the bob over a charging Ragnarr in a desperate photo finish. The 66-year-old signs off from training after 12 seasons and luck was on his side for his final meeting. 'He's been struggling for a while, he's been down to Class Five and drawn wide a couple of times. Most of the time he's had a bad draw and a bad situation, so it was lucky today,' said Yung. 'Last meeting and the first race – it's quite meaningful for me.' Beauty Waves is in a race of his own! 🚀@zpurton doubles up at tonight's #SeasonFinale for Tony Cruz in the Class 2 feature... @Beautystablehk #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) July 16, 2025 Zac Purton was also on the scoresheet for a double late on the card, with Highland Rahy winning the Class Three Sweet Orange Handicap (1,650m) before Beauty Waves ran away with the feature Class Two Lucky Patch Handicap (1,200m). Bigger targets await that classy operator, who smashed the track record and will return to Group company next season. 'He's going to get nine to 10 rating points and he broke the track record too, so we don't have much choice but to go up in grade,' said Beauty Waves' owner Patrick Kwok Ho-chuen. 'He was carrying 134lb breaking that record, which is very rare, but against Ka Ying Rising – the monster – a place would be like winning.'
South China Morning Post
14-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Derek Leung ‘still positive' about a late comeback as Tony Cruz Award reaches its finale
Derek Leung is right in the mix for the Tony Cruz Award. Photos: Kenneth Chan Derek Leung Ka-chun is hoping to be the comeback king at Happy Valley on Wednesday with his sights firmly set on overhauling Matthew Poon Ming-fai in the Tony Cruz Award race. Sitting on 34 winners for the campaign, the 36-year-old is two behind Poon in the local riders' premiership heading into the final meeting of the season, with fellow hopeful Matthew Chadwick sandwiched between them on 35 in what is set to be a photo finish. Leung entered Sha Tin on Sunday down three to Poon, but with the championship leader drawing a blank, he took full advantage by driving Happy Universe to success in the Class Four Solar Hei Hei Handicap (1,600m). Buoyed by that success, a typically optimistic Leung is hopeful of catching 'The Train' and winning his third Tony Cruz Award. Chasing hard! 💪 Derek Leung closes the gap with a 34th win this season aboard Happy Universe, trailing Matthew Chadwick (35 wins) and Matthew Poon (36) in the Tony Cruz Award race... #SeasonFinale | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) July 13, 2025 'I'm still positive on catching him. I always think in a good way and I have good support on Wednesday,' said Leung. 'The draw isn't a help on some horses but I will try my best to catch 'The Train'. We will see what happens. It will be an exciting finish.' Leung has eight rides at the city circuit and chief among his chances is the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained Prestige Always in the Class Three Sweet Orange Handicap (1,650m). The Starspangledbanner galloper has gone close under Leung on his two most recent starts over course and distance, most recently finishing a neck second in the Class Three Sheung Shui Handicap last month. The draw has not been kind to the Irish import and that theme continues on Wednesday from stall seven, but Leung is confident his mount can overcome it and run another big race. 'He's run very well on his last two starts. Of course, an inside draw would be helpful but he's a straightforward horse – he can lead or sit close,' said Leung. 'I will just try to be handy first of all and we'll work it out from there. I think he has a great chance.' Leung also rides the in-form Sterling Wongchoy for trainer Douglas Whyte in the Class Four Super Oasis Handicap (1,650m). He was a winner over course and distance two starts ago and after setting out to make all on his most recent start, he only succumbed to the late charge of Capital Legend in the dying strides. Sterling Wongchoy sees out a strong mile at Happy Valley for his first win with @HugeBowman! 👌 @DJWhyteTrainer #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 21, 2025 It is another sticky draw for Leung in barrier 11, but he is hoping a light weight can make his mount tough to catch. 'He won in Class Five company two starts ago but he ran a really good race in this grade last start,' said Leung. 'I haven't been working him in the morning but I'm sure Douglas has done a good job with him. 'We have an outside draw this time but we have a light weight, so we'll try to go forward and see what happens from there.' Of his remaining rides, Leung points to the chances of Vulcanus in the Class Four Let Me Fight Handicap (1,200m). 'He has gone close in his last three starts and this time he has a good draw again. Fingers crossed he can keep his good form going,' said Leung.
South China Morning Post
14-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Matthew Poon targets maiden Tony Cruz Award: ‘We can all be proud of our efforts'
The 31-year-old holds a slender one-win lead over Matthew Chadwick in the race to be leading local rider Matthew Poon Ming-fai 'can't wait' for Wednesday night as he bids to hold off Matthew Chadwick and Derek Leung Ka-chun and win his first Tony Cruz Award at Happy Valley's season closer. The 31-year-old sits on the 36-win mark for the campaign, one clear of Chadwick and a further victory ahead of Leung in pursuit of his maiden local riders' premiership. After he fired a blank at Sha Tin on Sunday and both his rivals took advantage and drew one win closer, Poon sits in a precarious position heading into the final meeting of the season at Happy Valley. He is not feeling the pressure, however, and is looking forward to doing the locals proud in what should be a rousing finish to the campaign. 'I think it's a really good competition and a good motivator for all of us, too,' said Poon. 'We all try to get the best results that we can, so I think Wednesday will be a great night and I can't wait. 'I think that whatever the result, we can all be proud of our efforts and do the local riders proud, too.' Poon's biggest chance of a winner at the city circuit is the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained Copartner Fleet in the Class Three Sun Jewellery Handicap (1,200m). The Nicconi galloper went agonisingly close on debut at Sha Tin in May when sent off the $1.8 favourite but made no mistake a month later, winning the Class Four Beas River Handicap (1,200m). He made all in grand style that day and although stall nine is not ideal on Happy Valley debut, Poon is hopeful of a big run from his mount. Domination at Sha Tin! 😤 Copartner Fleet gets off the mark in emphatic style and shapes as a 3YO with a big future racing in Hong Kong... @zpurton #SummerSeries | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 28, 2025 'He's only had the two runs and has a bit of a wide draw, but he has a light weight and has some gate speed to overcome it,' said Poon. 'This is tougher than last time, but I hope he can be OK with the step up to Class Three.' Poon will also reunite with Leslie in the Class Four Super Oasis Handicap (1,650m), a horse he finished second on at Sha Tin last time. That was on the dirt and he was drawn widest of all in gate 13, so it is easy to upgrade that effort and Poon is looking forward to pairing up with him again. 'I think he ran super last start – he had a wide draw but made up lots of ground behind the winner,' Poon said. 'Hopefully this time he can get a good position and I believe he can run well. 'He's won at the track before early in his career over 1,200m, but he is better now at 1,650m so I think Happy Valley will be OK for him.' Poon also rides Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained Happy Valley debutant Circuit Victory in the Class Four Fast Most Furious Handicap (1,200m). He has been kept exclusively to Sha Tin in 13 career starts and was a winner there three starts ago, before two near misses in subsequent starts. 'He has run well in his past two starts since his win – he doesn't have massive gate speed but hopefully a good draw will help put him in a good position. He just needs a bit of luck,' Poon said.
South China Morning Post
07-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Matthew Chadwick ‘giving it his best' as Tony Cruz Award reaches the business end
Matthew Chadwick is hoping to make his move in the race for the Tony Cruz Award with a strong book of rides headlined by Bravehearts in the feature Class Two Begonia Handicap (1,800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday. The 34-year-old will arrive to the Valley on the 34-winner mark for the campaign, just two behind leader Matthew Poon Ming-fai and one ahead of fellow hopeful Derek Leung Ka-chun in the race to be the season's leading local jockey. Chadwick is hunting down a second Tony Cruz Award and has picked up one of Poon's regular rides, Bravehearts, in what could be a cruel twist of fate for Poon. A three-time winner at Sha Tin this season, the Mark Newnham-trained six-year-old has been in consistent form since the most recent of those successes back in December. Here comes the favourite! 😤 Argentine Group 1 winner Bravehearts continues his rise with a third win in Hong Kong and first in Class 2 at Sha Tin under Matthew Poon for Mark Newnham... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 29, 2024 Last time out, Bravehearts came from a long way back to be narrowly denied in a tricky Class Three over 2,000m at Sha Tin and he will make just his second appearance at the city circuit on Wednesday. 'Matthew Poon is not on Bravehearts because he was meant to pick up another ride I think, but that didn't happen so it's frustrating for him,' said Chadwick. 'But it's a nice ride to pick up, he's not drawn very well, like many of my rides so I'll have to work it out from there. The pace looks to be even so I'll hope to get a smooth run into it and see what he can do late. 'He's been racing consistently so the switch in tracks should be fine. I haven't ridden him before so I'm just going to go in with hopes high and give him the best ride that I can.' 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. It is a busy evening for Chadwick with rides in eight of the nine races, including last-start winner Superb Capitalist in the Class Three Briar Handicap (1,000m). Superb Capitalist gets up late at Happy Valley. The Capitalist galloper won the Class Three St George's Challenge Cup (1,000m) on his most recent start, getting up in the shadows of the post in a race marred by the incident that saw Seasons Wit go amiss in the final 100m. That win off a rating of 74 was his first victory since May 2024, where he rattled off a pair of successes rated 75 and 86. The draw is not a plus point to his chances, but Chadwick is hopeful of a big run from the five-year-old. 'He had a soft draw last time and everything went his way - obviously the accident during the race was really unfortunate but the horse did what he had to do,' said Chadwick. 'He's got to carry more weight this time and the draw is a bit of a bump in the road, so I'll have to see where I slot in and take it from there.' Matthew Chadwick is within striking distance of the Tony Cruz Award. Chadwick claimed the Tony Cruz Award in the 2021-22 season and with just the three meetings left, this year's fight is almost certain to go down to the final meeting. And for Chadwick, luck is going to play a huge part in who eventually comes out on top. 'I think for all of us we just look to start the season strongly and then at this point of the season, we know where we stand and it becomes a bit more of a target and jumps up from the backs of our minds,' said Chadwick. 'We'll all give it our best shot I'm sure. I guess it will come down to the draws and the circumstances of the races for everyone.'
