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New Paper
13 hours ago
- 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
13 hours ago
- Sport
- New Paper
July 15 South Africa (Kenilworth) form analysis
Race 1 (1,600m) (7) BETTER MAN comes back from a small break. On his best form, he will be tough to beat. (4) NEW WORLD stayed on beautifully for second last time. From a good draw, he will be right there in the finish. (9) DIAMOND DAYS is still improving. Although the bad draw is a concern, he has a good place chance if he gets some luck in the running. (8) YAMAZAKI ran a better race last time. If he can build on that, he could sneak into the quartet. Race 2 (1,000m) (5) STORMWATCH was green and stayed on strongly for second on debut. If she has improved, she will be very hard to beat. (2) SWIFT SERENITY ran fourth last time behind Stormwatch. She should be there among the places. (3) SPLASH OF COLOUR ran a disappointing race last time. The drop in trip could help her chances. Newcomer (1) WITHOUT HESITATION has drawn gate 1. Watch her closely. Race 3 (1,000m) (7) NIGHTRAIN stayed on well to finish third on debut. He has ability and looks hard to beat. (6) AFRICAN MEMOIR has run two lovely races in succession, and finished just in front of Nightrain last time. Include him in all bets. (3) FEAR OF FIRE ran a fair race on debut. He drops in trip to 1,000m and could certainly run into the places at a decent price. (8) FLEUR DE VILLE has been well tried in the maiden ranks. On her best form, she could make the quartet pay. Race 4 (1,400m) (8) UNITED FRONT will be very hard to beat. He showed tremendous speed early and fought hard to finish second on debut. It will take a smart horse to beat him. (3) SIERRA SAGRADA comes back from a break and gelding. He ran a disappointing fifth last time, but he is better than that, so respect his chances from a neat draw. (9) KONNICHIWA has been rested for 92 days. The draw will make life tough for him, but he tries hard and will be running on powerfully late. (6) FUTURE FREE ran a shocker up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last time. He steps up in trip. Watch him closely. Race 5 (1,400m) (1) APRICITY made up solid ground to finish second last time. She enjoyed the step-up in trip to 1,400m. From a good draw, she will go very close to winning. (2) KISSES's last two runs over ground have been good. She ran a lovely race from a bad draw last time but, if she can build on her recent form, she will have a nice each-way chance. (3) PACIFIC WATERS ran a fair race on debut. She steps up in trip and gets the service of Gavin Lerena. Watch for a big run. (6) SPECIAL GLAMOUR ran a much better race with the tongue tie last time. If she can bring that run to the track, she will have a say in the finish. Race 6 (1,000m) (1) CHURCHILLIAN ran the race of his life in the Listed Somerset 1,200 last time. He showed good speed early, and stayed on strongly for second in a tight finish. He can win a race like this on pure ability. (11) OCTOBER STORM won well on debut, even though he was green. He can improve from that. Include him in all bets. (2) ESCARPMENT was just off the speed early, but stayed on nicely for second last time. On his best form, he could finish among the places at a decent price. (4) IRELAND FOREVER has been rested for 72 days. The blinkers go on, watch for improvement. Race 7 (1,200m) (5) TRIP TO MAPUTO ran a great race on the Poly last time. Her penultimate run up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth was impressive. If the gaps open at the right time, she will be hard to beat. (1) BABELICIOUS won a good race last time. Her form is very consistent, include her in all bets. (4) WINTER RAINFALL has run three decent races in succession. Watch her closely at a decent price. (8) SUMMER LILY has been rested for 79 days. Her last run in the Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville was good. If she does not need the run badly, she will run a massive race. Race 8 (1,500m) (5) SUGAR MOUNTAIN has won his last two races. He has a good turn of foot and, from a good draw, he must have a solid winning chance again. (7) PROMETTERE was very unlucky last time, when the gaps opened late and he flew home to finish second. Jockey Richard Fourie knows him well and he will be right there in the finish. (9) SEEKING THE STARS ran a lovely third behind Sugar Mountain last time. If he gets some luck in transit from a wide draw, he could finish in the placings. (4) SONG TO THE MOON ran a fair race last time. He drops in trip, and carries a light weight. He will be doing good work late with jockey Muzi Yeni on board. Race 9 (1,400m) (2) BOOGIEFIED ran a top race last time. He gets a good draw and can run a good race again. (8) AZZURRI won impressively over 1,200m last time. The step-up to 1,400m helps and, if he can get into a good position early from a wide draw, he will have a massive winning chance. (12) HAPPY DAYS has drawn wide again. He has run three excellent runs in succession. If he gets some luck in the running, he will be storming home late. (13) WAR CHARIOT is consistent and Fourie knows him well. The only negative is the bad draw.
New Paper
13 hours ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Plenty of choices await Aeliana
SYDNEY All options are on the table for Group 1 Australian Derby (2,400m) winner Aeliana this spring, including a potential tilt in Australia's weight-for-age championship, the Cox Plate (2,040m) at Moonee Valley on Oct 25. The Chris Waller-trained filly was among the stars of the Sydney Autumn Carnival, finishing a desperately unlucky second to the James Cummings-trained Broadsiding in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2,000m) on March 22, before thumping her rivals to claim the Australian Derby at Randwick on April 5 by more than five lengths. The Castelvecchio three-year-old's maiden Group 1 victory under jockey Damian Lane also gave her prominent Australian syndication Star Thoroughbreds their first Derby triumph. Aeliana - who also has two Group 3 wins to her name - is now just weeks away from her first barrier trial, which will pave the way to her comeback. Denise Martin, the leading syndicator and principal of Star Thoroughbreds, is content to leave Aeliana's spring programming to Waller, but is also excited by what the filly might be able to achieve. "Chris has reported that she has returned extremely well. She has strengthened, matured and developed nicely," said Martin. "Her spring programme is nowhere near finalised, but she will most likely run in a barrier trial at the end of July, and have a second barrier trial a couple of weeks later. "Then we will most likely look at a couple of options towards the end of August, the Winx Stakes and the Memsie (Stakes). "But after that, there are options such as the Makybe Diva (Stakes) at Flemington, the Turnbull (Stakes), the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate." It would seem that the world is Aeliana's oyster after her last-start win in the Derby, her fourth career success in 10 starts. Should she be targeted at the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1,400m) at Randwick on Aug 23, Aeliana could be in for a mouth-watering clash with her stablemates, including 2023 Winx Stakes winner Fangirl, 2025 Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1,500m) winner Lady Shenandoah and star mare Via Sistina. Waller has confirmed that Via Sistina will defend her 2024 Winx Stakes win first-up in its 2025 renewal in August. Aeliana's other option for her racing resumption, the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1,400m), will be run at Caulfield on Aug 30. Not overwhelmed by the plethora of opportunities ahead, Martin described the rising four-year-old's progression as "a rose opening". She was particularly delighted to win a classic as she said the syndication did not generally target staying types at the yearling sales. The Star Thoroughbreds, famous for their purple and white stars silks, have been racing horses for decades, but they had tended to go for mostly the sprint riches, most notably with champion stallion Sebring in the 2008 Group 1 Golden Slipper (1,200m). "We were elated because I couldn't have believed I would have purchased a Derby winner," she said. "We would normally buy horses that are sprinter-milers or maybe 2,000-metre horses. "I said to Chris (Waller) the Monday after the Derby - the Caulfield Cup? And he said, 'we'll see'. "Wherever he goes with this horse, I'm going." The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2,400m) was won by the Ciaron Maher-trained Duke De Sessa last year and will be run on Oct 18 at Caulfield. Winning a Derby was Martin's on-track highlight during the 2024-25 season, but it was matched by an achievement away from the racecourse. The sale of 2023 Coolmore Classic winner Espiona for A$4.15 million (S$3.49 million) last July also ranked highly, with Martin having purchased the daughter of Extreme Choice for A$190,000 as a yearling before she went on to amass almost A$3.3 million in stakes. SKY RACING WORLD
New Paper
13 hours ago
- Business
- New Paper
Customer cries foul over $24 chicken rice at Yishun stall
A diner has voiced her dissatisfaction after a well-known stall in Yishun tried to charge her $24 for a larger serving of chicken rice with breast meat. Property agent Ms Li, 29, shared her experience on STOMP, claiming the price for "three portions of chicken breast with rice" was unreasonably high - comparable to that of a steak. The incident took place on July 5 at the 925 Chicken Rice stall located in Yishun Central. Ms Li told Shin Min Daily News that she had requested "three portions of chicken breast with rice", expecting the total cost to be between $12 and $15. However, Ms Li was shocked when the cashier told her that the meal would cost $24. When she questioned the price, the staff explained that one portion of chicken rice with breast meat costs $8. Hence, three portions amounted to $24. Pay more for more meat In response to queries, 925 Chicken Rice stall said Ms Li was charged more as she asked for more meat, and staff typically confirm the order with customers before preparing it. But Ms Li found the pricing inconsistent, noting that half a chicken at the same stall is priced at $15, making her order disproportionately expensive. Ultimately, she paid only $8 for a single portion. Ms Li added that the portion size was modest: "I didn't ask further as there were customers waiting behind me. But I guess this will be my last time ordering from them." The diner ended up paying $8 for her meal. PHOTO: STOMP "This is just an ordinary coffee shop, without air-conditioning. Charging $24 for three pieces is outrageous - I could buy a steak with that money," she said. When Shin Min reporters visited the stall, stall employees said they did not recall the incident. Mr Ni, 33, who manages the stall, suggested there may have been a misunderstanding, adding that a standard serving of chicken rice with breast meat would not cost $8. "She must have added extra meat. We always double-check with customers and never serve the largest portion by default," he said. Photos uploaded by Ms Li showed the serving included two rows of chicken breast, indicating a larger-than-usual portion. Some netizens agreed that the stall's pricing was unfair. "I stopped patronising that stall whenever I visit Yishun. I'd rather spend the money and eat elsewhere," said one. Another netizen had a different view: "I think it is the Stomper's fault for ordering the food without finding the prices. Each food outlet sets the prices according to their own calculations of profit margin. There are no rules or regulations governing the itemised food prices and eating places."
New Paper
20 hours ago
- New Paper
Mother loses $12,000 over beauty contest that never happened
A 61-year-old retiree has filed a police report after spending $12,000 in hopes of securing her daughter a spot in a beauty pageant - only for the event to be indefinitely postponed, and the people who roped her in to go missing. According to Shin Min Daily News, Madam Gu said the ordeal began in February 2020 when she and her daughter visited a friend's home during the Lunar New Year period. There, she met the host's daughter, who strongly encouraged Madam Gu to enter her daughter in a beauty pageant supposedly co-organised by local charity Sian Chay Medical Institution, which would even be attended by a government minister. "She showed me photos she took with Mr Toh Soon Huat, the charity's chairman, and shared details of her involvement in previous fundraising activities," Madam Gu recounted. Madam Gu said she was told that for a registration fee of $2,000, and an additional $50,000, her daughter would be guaranteed a spot among the pageant winners. The woman, who was also friends with her daughter, added that after the competition, her daughter would receive advertising offers and earn back the investment. Convinced that the event would help raise funds for her daughter's education, Madam Gu made two payments via WeChat: $2,000 initially, followed by another $10,000 a month later. Delayed by the pandemic However, the pandemic caused repeated delays, stretching the promised pageant over the next three years. During this period, Madam Gu said, the woman kept pestering her for more money, while promising to provide catwalk and makeup training for her daughter. While Madam Gu did not give her any more money, she continued to trust the woman. In December 2022, mother and daughter flew from Australia to Singapore to prepare for the long-awaited event - only to be left waiting for weeks. The woman said she was too busy to assist them and eventually published a newspaper notice saying the pageant was postponed. Shortly after, Madam Gu's friend and her daughter severed all contact and even deleted and blocked Madam Gu. The pair later moved without leaving a forwarding address. By February 2023, Madam Gu had given up and filed a police report. "After this incident, I've learned my lesson - I'll never pay to secure a win in any competition again." Authorities confirmed that a police report has been filed and investigations are ongoing. Pageant was a scam, says charity chairman In response to queries, Sian Chay Medical Institution chairman Toh Soon Huat said that no such beauty pageant was ever planned by the organisation. The woman previously made a donation to the charity and took a photo with Mr Toh when he appeared at a beauty salon event that she hosted. However, he clarified that they do not have a close relationship. He emphasised that any events co-organised by Sian Chay are planned with proper contracts and official approval. "We never signed any agreement with this individual, and the so-called beauty pageant is entirely fictitious." Mr. Toh warned that anyone misusing the charity's name for fraudulent purposes will be held legally responsible. However, due to a lack of evidence in this case, no legal action could be taken. "We urge the public to verify with event organisers or partners directly before participating in such activities. If anything appears suspicious, report it to the authorities immediately," he advised. Friend's daughter disappears without a trace Madam Gu said she had tried searching online for updates about the pageant over the past four years, but did not find anything. She even visited the woman's beauty salon, only to find it shut down, with nearby shop owners unaware of its closure. When she attempted to locate her friend, she discovered that she and her daughter had been evicted due to nearly nine months of unpaid rent. While she did consider going to the Small Claims Tribunal, she lamented: "At this point, I just hope to recover some of the money I lost."
