World-class horse trainers come in different shapes and sizes with contrasting styles and personalities. Regardless of background, one of the Club’s over-arching commitments to our owners is to provide a choice of outstanding trainers.
We believe we have systematically assembled an enviable cohort of trainers, either locally-produced or sourced as expatriate handlers. The common goal is to permanently improve our racing product so that Hong Kong racing remains competitive on the world stage.
The recent decision to issue Jamie Richards with a licence for the 2022/23 season followed an exhaustive global recruiting process. At 32, Jamie brings vitality, energy and ambition and, with 50 Group 1 victories to his credit already, he clearly fits the Club’s criteria of wanting to provide our owners with as many world-class training options as possible.
The same rationale applies to the decision to extend Tony Cruz’s licence beyond his 65th birthday. Tony has twice been Hong Kong champion trainer. During his 25 seasons as a trainer, he has not only produced wonderful champions such as Silent Witness and Exultant, but he has been a fixture in the top five in the championship. His record speaks for itself.
With Jamie preparing to join us and Tony marching on, David Ferraris has decided to leave Hong Kong after 19 seasons. David will be forever remembered for his feats with champion stayer Vengeance Of Rain, who dominated in 2005 with victories in the Hong Kong Derby (2000m), QEII Cup (2000m), Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) and the Hong Kong Cup (2000m).
David became the first Hong Kong-based trainer to win in Dubai in 2007, when Vengeance Of Rain landed the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2400m). Vengeance Of Rain once held Hong Kong’s record for all-time earnings – HK$75.41 million – and was rated, among many other categories, world champion stayer.
David also handled Liberator (2012 Champions & Chater Cup) and Sweet Orange (2012 Hong Kong Classic Mile) among 460 career wins since joining our training ranks in 2003/04.
Unfortunately, the number of horses David trained in the last year has been significantly reduced and therefore he has decided relinquish his licence. On behalf of the Club, I thank David for his long service and wish him the very best for the future.
The emergence of the Omicron strain presents us with fresh challenges in the battle against COVID-19 and the onus remains on all of us to continue observing protocols implemented to protect the health and safety of the entire community.
I am thankful for the commitment of all of those involved in horse racing as we head into the second quarter of the season. The collective dedication and discipline allowed the Club to stage LONGINES Hong Kong International Races and the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship within the security and safety of a closed-loop racing bubble.
In terms of organisation, planning and execution, the hosting of visiting jockeys and trainers for IJC and HKIR was a remarkable achievement, earning us global credit.
By implementing the highest standards of compliance within the racing bubble, we were delighted to stage international sport in Hong Kong and we are deeply grateful to the Government for its trust and support.
This time last year, restricted access to Happy Valley meant we had attendance of just 160 people as our city grappled with COVID’s fourth wave. Happily, we are in a position to host more guests at the track tonight under stringently controlled measures, including social distancing, temperature checks, mask-wearing and regular sanitising of hands.
On the racing front, many congratulations to Derek Leung for his treble at Sha Tin last Saturday when local jockeys – Jerry Chau, Keith Yeung, Matthew Poon and Derek – combined for six of the 10 winners.
Joao Moreira (two), Ruan Maia and Karis Teetan delivered the balance, while training honours were shared across 10 different stables – Chris So, Paul O’Sullivan, Benno Yung, Dennis Yip, Peter Ho, Me Tsui, Tony Millard, Tony Cruz, Danny Shum and Ricky Yiu – in an illustration of the competitiveness of our racing.
Given the starts made to the season by Frankie Lor (27 wins) and John Size (25), it was unusual neither figured among the winners but it is unlikely either stable will be quiet for very long.
Tony Cruz indicated Ima Single Man would be set for the Hong Kong Classic Mile next month after his fine win in the Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap (1400m), but the eye-catching performance of the race – from a BMW Hong Kong Derby perspective – was Caspar Fownes’ Rocket Spade, who ran fourth.
With the Hong Kong Four-Year-Old Series just over a month away now, I look forward to seeing many other talented young horses stepping out in preparation for the series.
In the meantime, as we look forward tonight’s meeting, all that remains is for me to wish all our customers, staff and supporters a very happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas.
At Happy Valley tonight, the Fort Handicap is a Class 2 race over 1000 metres and is carded as the eighth of nine races. The pace will be good to fast with a number of horses featuring a front-running profile, including We The South for Jerry Chau, who can press for the lead from barrier four.
Voyage Warrior is well known at Sha Tin and Conghua but this marks his first appearance at Happy Valley. He will use his speed under Victor Wong’s five pounds allowance, while Handsome Bo Bo will press forward from his outside draw with Matthew Poon and Keep You Warm will be in close pursuit with Alexis Badel. The race will be run at a genuine pace.
Keep You Warm sat just behind the leaders to win his most recent trial at Conghua and may apply similar tactics here. He drops back to his preferred course and distance, and carries a light weight for his second try in Class 2. He is a win and place chance.
Handsome Bo Bo has trialled well at Conghua after a good effort over the course and distance when reported to have a substantial amount of blood in the trachea. He is likely to be caught wide and without cover on the C+3 course but is still a place chance in his current form.
Hong Kong Win with Vagner Borges and Kurpany with Vincent Ho will both get good trips from their inside draws and are place chances. Kurpany adds blinkers for the first time which is likely to land him in the box seat.
Keep You Warm and Harmony Fire are eligible for the Club’s High Achievement Bonus, which has been a hot commodity during December. Fa Fa ($1 million), California Spangle ($1 million) and Ima Single Man ($1.5 million) have all been recipients of the bonus scheme this month.
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