Making the most of opportunities is a challenge faced by athletes across all sports and, given the intensely competitive nature of Hong Kong racing, our jockeys and trainers are acutely aware of the need to perform to their best at all times.
On Sunday (7 January), three young homegrown talents – Angus Chung, Jerry Chau and Ellis Wong – converted with wins on BEAT HOLLOW, SPECIAL HEDGE and PLEASANT ENDEAVOUR, respectively, in a reminder of their developing skills and competence.
The trio’s allowances definitely play a role in both their ability to attract rides and ultimately the performances of their horses and, after eight wins and 15 minor placings from 87 rides in Hong Kong – in addition to multiple trial rides – at the city circuit, Ellis makes his Happy Valley debut tonight aboard MULTIMORE and LYRICAL MOTION and I wish him all the best.
At the other end of the experience spectrum, three of our expatriate jockeys – Harry Bentley, Andrea Atzeni and Hugh Bowman – showcased their wares on Sunday with Harry claiming his first Group race success in Hong Kong with WHIZZ KID’s victory in the G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) before making it double with BLUE MARLIN.
Harry’s ability to ride at 115lb is critical to his appeal with trainers, while also retaining impressive strength. WHIZZ KID’s performance again served as a reminder of the difference between 1000m and 1200m races and his ability to race on the pace with a light weight under Harry proved decisive in the end.
Andrea also recently celebrated his first Group winner in Hong Kong with TAJ DRAGON and he continues to make solid progress with 19 wins and 29 minor placings from 228 rides, while Hugh is having an impressive season with another double at the weekend.
Hugh was successful with HONG KONG HALL but the win of HELIOS EXPRESS against Class 2 horses was extremely convincing as we approach the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. HELIOS EXPRESS was struggling for clear running nearing the 250m but, after he was taken to the outside by Hugh, his acceleration was very impressive and he is clearly an outstanding contender for the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 4 February.
I spent time at Conghua Racecourse on Monday to inspect the construction of the new grandstand, which is coming along very well and I will be excited to see it fully completed in preparation for racing there in April 2026, which will mark a major strategic development and historic milestone in the long history of the Club.
The grandstands have been developed with sustainability as a key design principle and I was impressed about the progress and I would like to compliment our team for the excellent progress. The operations in Conghua are supported by our Guangzhou office, which I visited on the way to Conghua.
While in the Mainland, on Tuesday I spent time with colleagues from our Shenzhen Technology Development Centre in their new offices, which we established in 2012 and have developed into a centre of excellence and a key part of our Information Technology Division. I was impressed with the talent we have in this team and the contributions they make to the Club.
At Happy Valley, the G3 January Cup is carded as Race 6 at 9:45pm, run over 1800m for prizemoney of HK$4,200,000.
The pace in the race will be good with TELECOM FIGHTERS going forward from gate eight to lead. MONEY CATCHER also likes to lead but may drop in behind the pace on the fence. CHAMPION DRAGON will settle on speed and NIMBLE NIMBUS should go forward from his wide gate to be in the leading division.
MONEY CATCHER was able to lead and win this race last year coming off a placing in the 2022 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup. This year he comes into the race off a last start ninth to Romantic Warrior in that race, after running third in the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup behind STRAIGHT ARRON and SWORD POINT. MONEY CATCHER has been placed at all three runs at this track, all over this distance and is a place chance from a good draw with Matthew Chadwick to ride.
ENCOUNTERED under Derek Leung is in good form and working well but despite his excellent record at Happy Valley over 1650m, he has to overcome significant challenges in his first assignment over 1800m.
He will carry top weight and with his draw in gate 12, he is at risk of being trapped wide with the expected good pace. He is a place chance.
SWORD POINT raced on speed behind MONEY CATCHER and stayed on well when second to STRAIGHT ARRON in the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup in November. He then settled near the tail in the Hong Kong Cup, before making a wide run coming to the turn and looming up at the 250m mark before peaking on his effort to finish sixth to Romantic Warrior and Luxembourg.
Hugh Bowman takes the ride and should have SWORD POINT in a good position in running from his middle draw and he is also a place selection.
HELENE FEELING is a talented four-year-old being aimed on a BMW Hong Kong Derby path and comes off a last start win at this course and distance when he settled handy to the pace one off the fence and surged to the lead to easily hold off BUTTERFIELD in the concluding stages. This represents a significant rise in class for HELENE EXPRESS but he is an emerging talent is a win and place chance with Vincent Ho riding him for the first time.
HAPPY TOGETHER is in great form and top fitness. While he tackles the 1800m at Happy Valley for the first time, his regular rider Alexis Badel should make good use of his good draw to have him in a striking position behind the leaders to be a place chance.
This a very competitive contest and there are a number of horses on the limit weight racing well and with place claims.
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