The joy of winning never fades, not even for John Size, Caspar Fownes, Joao Moreira or Zac Purton, so it was hardly surprising to witness the sheer jubilation charging through Luke Ferraris on Wednesday night (15 September) at Happy Valley.
Luke not only posted his first winner on Go Ballistic with a wonderful tactical display, but the fact his breakthrough success came for his father David Ferraris made the landmark occasion even more uplifting and emotional for the family.
As Zac Purton is fond of saying, winning just one race in Hong Kong is a tough thing to do. The competitive nature of racing in Hong Kong is well known around the world, so for Luke and David to share victory in such circumstances added another positive layer to an already engrossing season.
Luke is only 19 and, after enjoying Group 1 success in South Africa, is now locked in battle with the sport’s elite – and on a steep learning curve. Based on the qualities he has shown thus far, he has the attributes to succeed.
Underlining the fiercely competitive nature of Hong Kong racing, 15 individual jockeys have shared 36 wins so far; on the training front, 17 individual trainers have split the spoils over the first four meetings.
The stunning consistency of last season’s top-three in the jockey’s championship is already clear again in 2021/22.
Zac is in top form with seven wins and nine placings with a 21.2 percent winning strike rate and a top-three strike rate of 48.5 percent from 33 rides; Karis Teetan has five wins and 12 placings (14.3 percent win and 48.6 percent top-three) from 35 mounts and Joao has five wins and seven placings at 13.9 percent win and 33.3 percent top-three from 36 rides.
Another trend – even at this early stage – that has become abundantly clear already is that Conghua Racecourse’s world-class facilities will again have a decisive bearing on the season with 10 winners from 36 races so far. At this rate, last season’s tally of 190 wins from 835 races might be surpassed by the end of the term.
Harmony And Rich, who toppled G1 winner Ivictory’s 1200m course record in winning in Class 2 at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (15 September) for Me Tsui and Matthew Chadwick, is the latest horse to win in Hong Kong after spending time at Conghua.
As we have seen since the establishment of Conghua Racecourse in 2018, the importance of the site – with its ability to give trainers preparation options and horses a mental respite – cannot be under-estimated.
The Class 2 Woodpecker Handicap is the final race of our Sunday race meeting at Sha Tin and it shapes up as a sit and sprint affair over the distance of one mile. The pace scenario should work to the advantage of The Rock, which won under similar circumstances in June in this same grade.
The Rock is one of only three horses in the race which has had the benefit of a race this season and now steps up in trip from 1400 metres and gets the services of Alexis Badel. He will be on the pace from the start and is a win and place chance with his tactical advantage.
Helene Wisdom Star finished last season on a high note at Happy Valley and has trialled well in preparation for this engagement. He seems to be moving in the right direction and is in light (117lb) with Vincent Ho. He will need to use his speed from a wide draw to cross over and secure a position as a place chance.
C P Brave will get a nice run from the inside draw with Joao Moreira riding and is a place chance.
Beauty Fit is a two-time course and distance winner and is working well. He will start from barrier three for Vagner Borges and I make him a place chance.
Joao rides the big favourite Drops Of God in the Chinese Recreation Club Challenge Cup, who was an easy winner in the class, course and distance in July. He is drawn widest in the Class 3 at 1200 metres and faces a real possibility of being caught wide on the C track. His class should prevail as he looks like a progressive type and I make him a win and place chance. Star Of Yuen Long with Zac Purton is likely to make significant improvement after some disappointing runs and California Cible is an interesting newcomer with Matthew Poon.
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