Chadwick keeps Poon on toes
HONG KONG The battle for the Tony Cruz Award as Hong Kong's leading homegrown jockey intensified at Happy Valley on June 25, when Matthew Chadwick's double pushed him to within two wins of Matthew Poon, with only six meetings left in the 2024/25 season.
Chadwick boosted his season's tally to 34 - compared to Poon's 36 - with wins on the Cruz-trained Superb Capitalist in the HK$1.86 million (S$303,000) Class 3 St George's Challenge Cup Handicap (1,000m) and Me Tsui's Another Zonda in the HK$2.05 million Class 3 Renfrew Handicap (1,650m).
Winner of the Tony Cruz Award in 2021/22, Chadwick has steadily cut into Poon's lead with seven wins from the last nine meetings, and is poised to continue the challenge ahead of the season finale on July 16.
"We'll see what happens, we'll try our best. I'm just trying to pick up better rides. The fields are getting smaller, everyone's riding well and it's harder to get rides," said Chadwick.
"You've just got to make them count when they come. Hopefully, I can get some more decent rides."
Superb Capitalist ($23) notched his fifth victory at Happy Valley - and sixth overall - before Another Zonda ($54) scored his first win at the city circuit after previously triumphing at Sha Tin.
My Day My Way ($16) broke through in spectacular fashion for Danny Shum and Jerry Chau in the second section of the Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1,200m).
Woodfire Champ ($58) claimed his second course-and-distance victory with success in the Class 5 Chester Handicap (1,200m) for Michael Chang and Derek Leung.
Seventh of 12 runners at the 150m, My Day My Way charged late to claim New Power in the last stride, prevailing by a short head.
"He ran a tremendous race, I knew coming to the outside would be hard but we were very lucky," said Shum.
"The last 20 metres, he was very strong. I think he can win in Class 3 as well. I'll give him a break now and wait for next season."
Shum posted a double when Harry Bentley piloted progressive three-year-old Wrote A New Page ($29) to his second successive win in the first section of the Class 4 Lancashire Handicap (1,650m).
Chang also eventually sealed a brace when Amazing Victory ($156) presented James Orman with his ninth win of the season by claiming the third section of the Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1,200m).
"When I thought I was going to be here for only six weeks, the goal was to get one winner," said Orman, who arrived from Queensland, Australia in February.
"When I got the extension, I thought I wanted to ride 10 winners - I thought it was a reasonable goal for my first stint and less than half a year.
"I didn't come here with expectations to be riding winners here every week like at home. I just wanted to get a few winners and hopefully stay."
David Hayes combined with Lyle Hewitson to land the second section of the Class 4 Lancashire Handicap (1,650m) with Amazing Run ($58), who succeeded despite drawing his eighth double-figure barrier from 11 starts this season.
"He's had a really unlucky year with bad barriers - tonight included (gate 10), but Hewitson rode a great race and he won like a good horse, so we're very happy," said Hayes.
"He had no gear on when he won, then he lost his form and we were trying to make him win playing around with his gear.
"But we just decided to go back to nothing and the horse really likes it."
David Hall's Never Too Soon ($16) swept to a three-length triumph in the first section Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1,200m) for Brenton Avdulla.
"He (Never Too Soon) is a good old soldier, he's had a pretty tough season - it's taken him all this time until he could get his win," Hall said of the seven-year-old, who won three races in Australia when he raced as Never Never River in 2020/21.
"He's got down to a rating of 54 and he was always going to be dangerous. He's a backmarker and in these 1,200m races at Happy Valley races, he always needs a bit of luck.
"He needs a barrier and he needs a bit of speed to help. He got in the right race tonight off that rating and got his run at the right time."
Dragon Four Seas ($26) thundered to victory in the Class 3 Selkirk Handicap (1,200m) to give Zac Purton his 123rd win of the season and Manfred Man his 38th of the campaign. HKJC
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New Paper
4 days ago
- New Paper
Chadwick keeps Poon on toes
HONG KONG The battle for the Tony Cruz Award as Hong Kong's leading homegrown jockey intensified at Happy Valley on June 25, when Matthew Chadwick's double pushed him to within two wins of Matthew Poon, with only six meetings left in the 2024/25 season. Chadwick boosted his season's tally to 34 - compared to Poon's 36 - with wins on the Cruz-trained Superb Capitalist in the HK$1.86 million (S$303,000) Class 3 St George's Challenge Cup Handicap (1,000m) and Me Tsui's Another Zonda in the HK$2.05 million Class 3 Renfrew Handicap (1,650m). Winner of the Tony Cruz Award in 2021/22, Chadwick has steadily cut into Poon's lead with seven wins from the last nine meetings, and is poised to continue the challenge ahead of the season finale on July 16. "We'll see what happens, we'll try our best. I'm just trying to pick up better rides. The fields are getting smaller, everyone's riding well and it's harder to get rides," said Chadwick. "You've just got to make them count when they come. Hopefully, I can get some more decent rides." Superb Capitalist ($23) notched his fifth victory at Happy Valley - and sixth overall - before Another Zonda ($54) scored his first win at the city circuit after previously triumphing at Sha Tin. My Day My Way ($16) broke through in spectacular fashion for Danny Shum and Jerry Chau in the second section of the Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1,200m). Woodfire Champ ($58) claimed his second course-and-distance victory with success in the Class 5 Chester Handicap (1,200m) for Michael Chang and Derek Leung. Seventh of 12 runners at the 150m, My Day My Way charged late to claim New Power in the last stride, prevailing by a short head. "He ran a tremendous race, I knew coming to the outside would be hard but we were very lucky," said Shum. "The last 20 metres, he was very strong. I think he can win in Class 3 as well. I'll give him a break now and wait for next season." Shum posted a double when Harry Bentley piloted progressive three-year-old Wrote A New Page ($29) to his second successive win in the first section of the Class 4 Lancashire Handicap (1,650m). Chang also eventually sealed a brace when Amazing Victory ($156) presented James Orman with his ninth win of the season by claiming the third section of the Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1,200m). "When I thought I was going to be here for only six weeks, the goal was to get one winner," said Orman, who arrived from Queensland, Australia in February. "When I got the extension, I thought I wanted to ride 10 winners - I thought it was a reasonable goal for my first stint and less than half a year. "I didn't come here with expectations to be riding winners here every week like at home. I just wanted to get a few winners and hopefully stay." David Hayes combined with Lyle Hewitson to land the second section of the Class 4 Lancashire Handicap (1,650m) with Amazing Run ($58), who succeeded despite drawing his eighth double-figure barrier from 11 starts this season. "He's had a really unlucky year with bad barriers - tonight included (gate 10), but Hewitson rode a great race and he won like a good horse, so we're very happy," said Hayes. "He had no gear on when he won, then he lost his form and we were trying to make him win playing around with his gear. "But we just decided to go back to nothing and the horse really likes it." David Hall's Never Too Soon ($16) swept to a three-length triumph in the first section Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1,200m) for Brenton Avdulla. "He (Never Too Soon) is a good old soldier, he's had a pretty tough season - it's taken him all this time until he could get his win," Hall said of the seven-year-old, who won three races in Australia when he raced as Never Never River in 2020/21. "He's got down to a rating of 54 and he was always going to be dangerous. He's a backmarker and in these 1,200m races at Happy Valley races, he always needs a bit of luck. "He needs a barrier and he needs a bit of speed to help. He got in the right race tonight off that rating and got his run at the right time." Dragon Four Seas ($26) thundered to victory in the Class 3 Selkirk Handicap (1,200m) to give Zac Purton his 123rd win of the season and Manfred Man his 38th of the campaign. HKJC
New Paper
6 days ago
- New Paper
June 25 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis
Race 1 (1,200m) 2 Winning Heart draws barrier 4 after two runs from gate 12, and that gives his chances a clear boost. He is well placed to pick up another win. 7 So Awesome maps well again from a soft draw and would not have many excuses. He was only beaten a neck last start and stays in the mix. 1 Triumphant Warrior drops in class and gets Zac Purton back on, which brings him right into it. 12 Multidarling is a lightweight chance. His recent runs have been encouraging and while hard to trust on a win line, he could fill a hole. Race 2 (1,200m) 5 My Day My Way has had no luck with barriers, so gate 8 is a small win. He has gone down a head in back-to-back runs and looks ready to go one better. 4 Monarch County might be looking for further but brings solid Sha Tin form to the Valley for the first time. He maps well and can be competitive. 7 New Power is holding form and will roll forward to take a position on speed. He gives himself every chance. 6 Fortune Warrior is tricky to catch but maps to lead from barrier 3 and gets the set-up to give a sight. Race 3 (1,200m) 1 Fun Elite drops back into Class 4 and that alone makes him hard to ignore. He has the speed to push forward and can make his own luck. 7 Victor The Rapid showed sharp improvement first-up for Pierre Ng, charging home into second. He is ready to go one better. 4 Thunder Prince had no luck last start, badly held up in the straight before diving through late to miss by a head. 10 Vulcanus is a 16-start maiden in the grade but has been consistent, placing in five of those, including back-to-back seconds. Drawn well in barrier 3 and must be kept safe. Race 4 (1,650m) 1 Galaxy Witness has found form again since dropping back to Class 4. He has hit the line well in two runs over 1,200m, and the rise in trip looks key to breaking through. 4 Good Luck Win is better suited back in Class 4. Class 3 was a stretch and wide draws did not help, but he stuck on and this shapes much better. 3 Chain Of Gold also drops in grade and gets Purton from barrier 2, which puts him right in the picture. 5 Amazing Award draws ideally in gate 1 and has been consistent all season for David Eustace. If he uses the draw, he stays in the mix. Race 5 (1,000m) 2 Seasons Wit got all the favours from barrier 1 last start and put them to good use, winning with authority. He has trialled well since and from the same draw again, he gets every chance to repeat. 4 Eternal Fortune is a better chance back to 1,000m. Two runs ago, he was runner-up to Seasons Wit, and last start, he was caught deep from barrier 12 over 1,200m and faded after doing plenty of early work. This suits much better. 9 Parents' Love returns to his pet track and trip, and will be up on the speed, though he may face pressure in a race with a few going forward. 1 Youthful Spirits resumes off a break and has not won in over a year, but he is capable of giving a sight first-up. Race 6 (1,200m) 2 Never Too Soon draws a big upgrade into gate 1 after jumping from 12 last time. He is well rated in Class 4 and comes right into the mix. 3 Lahore is building towards a win after three runs over 1,000m at Sha Tin. His third last start held good merit after blundering early and he looks ready to strike. 6 Bits Superstar broke through last start after a close-up third and remains a strong chance to go on with it. 8 Savvy Twinkle maps to get the run of the race from an inside draw. He was backed last start before pulling up with blood in the trachea and is worth another chance. Race 7 (1,650m) 3 Wrote A New Page is a three-year-old on the rise. He put it all together last start to shed his maiden tag, doing it well at his first look over this course and trip. 7 California Moxie took time to find his feet across a few distances, but now that he has, he has gone back-to-back in strong style. A hat-trick looks within reach. 2 Capital Legend is hard to fault. He finished second to Wrote A New Page two starts back, then came out a week later and won comfortably. 5 Setanta tends to get back in his races but ran on well for sixth behind Wrote A New Page last time. That form reads well again. Race 8 (1,650m) 8 Stellar Swift tried this course and distance for the first time last start, went back from a wide gate and found the line well. Drawn better now, he should settle closer in the run and looks the one to beat. 1 Sky Trust draws wide but with little speed engaged, he can roll forward and land in a good spot. He ran a promising third over this course and trip last time, and both wins this season have come when settling handy. He gets his chance. 3 Aestheticism had excuses late last time when checked in the straight, so there was merit in his third placing. He is always a chance in races like this and will be closing from midfield. 5 Hameron could not find clean air in the run home last start but was not beaten far. Race 9 (1,200m) 1 Storm Rider returned to winning form last start with blinkers on for the first time, surging clear by over three lengths from barrier 2. He now draws even better in 1 and can win again. 3 Power Koepp has been in top form since joining Mark Newnham, posting two wins and two seconds from four starts. He settled further back than usual last time but closed off strongly. He maps to get every chance from barrier 4. 7 Dragon Four Seas has already won four races this season, including over Power Koepp last time. He is holding form. 4 Charming Legend resumes and goes well fresh with two wins from three first-up runs. His trial was sound and while 1,200m is a query, he is one to keep in mind at odds. Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
New Paper
23-06-2025
- New Paper
De Melo breaks HK Group duck in Premier Cup
HONG KONG Keagan de Melo rejoiced in the biggest win of his Hong Kong riding career, when he scored aboard Copartner Prance for trainer Francis Lui in the HK$4.2 million (S$688,000) Group 3 Premier Cup Handicap (1,400m) at Sha Tin on June 22. Pressing forward from gate 5 in the nine-runner contest, Copartner Prance ($131) defiantly maintained his position at the head of the field as Victor The Winner (Derek Leung) sat in second. Happy Together (Alexis Badel) made a late lunge, missing by only a head, as Lui's charge savoured success in 1min 21.15sec. Favourite Packing Hermod (Matthew Poon) battled into third, while Patch Of Theta (Andrea Atzeni) finished fourth, rounding out Lui's 1-3-4 in the race. De Melo, 31, is a Group 1-winning rider in South Africa and has chalked up 12 wins this season, including his first victory with Copartner Prance at Group 3 level in Hong Kong. "Francis was pretty simple with the tactics. He said if Victor The Winner doesn't want to go forward, take up the running and ride him for his fractions and I thought the horse pulled it off nicely," he said. "It's a big relief. Obviously, numbers don't lie. My rides have gone down and my winners have gone down, but I'm a positive person and I just keep my head up and keep fighting. "Thanks to all the trainers that do support me - I really do appreciate it." Raced by the Copartner Spirit Syndicate, Copartner Prance is now an eight-time winner in Hong Kong with earnings of HK$14.87 million. The Epaulette five-year-old's previous career peak was six wins in succession last season. "It's a real honour to be in this position and thanks to Francis and his team, the horse's turned out phenomenally and I think he got the right fractions," said de Melo. Lui, 66, was crowned Hong Kong's champion trainer last season and is renowned for handling retired superstar Golden Sixty. He starting out as an apprentice jockey in Hong Kong in the early 1970s, and was licensed as a trainer in the 1996/97 season. "I think the jockey controlled the pace very well. We always thought 1,400 (metres) would suit him, but we tried once before and he was too keen - at the end of the season, he's more relaxed," said Lui. "I'm very happy to get more and more winners." Two races later, Beauty Joy ($64) almost certainly staved off retirement after the evergreen eight-year-old upstaged younger rivals to land the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Premier Plate Handicap (1,800m) for Tony Cruz and Brenton Avdulla. Nearing the end of his fifth Hong Kong season after an unbeaten four-race stint in Australia in 2020 when known as Talladega, the Sebring gelding showed no signs of fatigue when surging past BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) victor Cap Ferrat (Hugh Bowman) and Bundle Award (Atzeni) in 1min 46.91sec. Second-last early, Beauty Joy trailed the fast-finishing Cap Ferrat into the middle of the track before the pair collared leader Pray For Mir (Matthew Chadwick). Beauty Joy then outsprinted his rivals to claim a seventh Hong Kong win - and his fourth at Group level - to boost his earnings to over HK$35 million. Cruz, who last won the Premier Plate with Exultant in 2018, revealed Beauty Joy - who is Group 1-placed three times - had almost certainly earned another season after discussions with Simon Kwok, whose wife Eleanor and son Patrick race the chestnut. "In the parade ring before the race, Simon said 'I hope we win this race. If we win this race, we're going to keep on racing him'," said Cruz. "He won, so it looks like we're going to keep on racing him next season. "He's a healthy horse and as long as he's healthy, we'll keep going." On a high after the recent birth of his son Kobe in Sydney, Avdulla said Beauty Joy was a challenging horse to ride. "We seem to get on very well, I'm the only one to win on him for about probably three years," he said. "He was good to me last season (winning the Group 2 Chairman's Trophy over 1,600m on April 7, 2024) and we've had another Group race today. "Obviously well handled by Tony to get him today here in good form and he did his job well. "He's such a quirky horse. You just can't get any feel of him early. You've just got to try and let the bridle fall out of his mouth as much possible because he can be a very difficult ride. "I never knew I was really in the race until just before the corner when the pace steadied and he got hold of the bridle. I gave him a little click into gear and he felt like a horse that was going to take me a long way. "He did a good job. He had to come off the Derby winner's back and get out after him and he did that in good style. So it was nice to get one for a loyal supporter like Tony, and the Kwok family, too." John Size continued a relentless march towards a record-extending 13th Hong Kong trainers' title with the impressive performance of three-year-old Szeryng ($122) for Karis Teetan in the first section of the Class 4 Diamond Handicap (1,200m). The master trainer boosted his haul to 64 wins - 10 clear of David Hayes (54) - with seven meetings remaining in the season. HKJC
