Matthew Poon sets sights on Tony Cruz Award as in-form Matthew Chadwick closes the gap

South China Morning Post

a day ago

The 31-year-old rider heads to Sha Tin on Tuesday with a lead of two wins in the race for the leading local jockey this season
The Tony Cruz Award is heading down to the wire and Matthew Poon Ming-fai is hoping Tourbillon Prince can help him extend his lead in the Class Two Hong Kong Reunification Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old has seen his lead in the local riders' premiership reduced to just two winners by a surging Matthew Chadwick, who has ridden three winners without reply from Poon.
The tide could quickly shift the other direction, however, with Poon looking to Tourbillon Prince to give him a decisive boost in the race for the title.
The Rommel galloper was an impressive winner of a 1,600m Class Three at Sha Tin on his most recent start for trainer Benno Yung Tin-pang, where he travelled up powerfully under Luke Ferraris before unleashing a smart turn of foot to scamper clear.
Running away with it! Tourbillon Prince wins easily in the finale at Sha Tin as @LukeFerraris makes it a double... 🙌#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/C01Z9PyROh — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 31, 2025
He is now back in Class Two company, a level he is zero from five at, but Poon is hoping an ideal draw can see him put that fact right on Tuesday.
'I'm looking forward to it, it's a strong field but I hope he can keep rolling,' said Poon. 'The light weight [119lb] should be good for him. The draw in stall nine is actually probably better for him, too.
'I will leave the tactics to Benno, he'll tell me what to do and I'll try to execute it the best I can.'
Poon has eight rides to try and extend his lead over Chadwick and Lapras shapes as a solid chance in the opening Class Five Racing Goes On Handicap (1,800m).
The five-year-old is winless in 15 starts, but he arrives in great nick after a pair of good runs, including a 1,600m second at Sha Tin two starts ago.
Jolly Jumper holds them all off! 💪
Benno Yung's charge becomes apprentice Britney Wong's second winner from her past three rides... #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/3qeqQuCBLd — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 10, 2025
He has drawn the inside in gate one and after going close three times this season when ridden by Chadwick, it could be a slice of irony should the Smart Missile galloper get his win with Poon on board for the first time.
'He's been really consistent in Class Five races and a good draw also helps. I just really hope he can win,' said Poon.
Of his remaining rides, Poon put forward Quick Contribution as his other biggest chance in the Class Four Riding High Together Handicap (1,600m).
He has been steadily improving for trainer David Hall and was beaten just a length and a half when third in a Class Four over the 1,400m distance three starts back.
The son of Contributer is having just his seventh career start and the step up in distance could be just what he needs.
'I think Quick Contribution is improving and learning. I hope he can jump better and I think he will run really well,' said Poon.
Posting a career-best tally of 37 winners in the 2020-21 season, Poon is just one win away from equalling the tally.
The goal runs parallel with his pursuit of the Tony Cruz Award and Poon is focusing solely on what he can do to wrap up the title – not what his nearest rival is doing.
'I can't control how many winners Matthew [Chadwick] can get, I can only control how many I can win so I'm just focusing on doing my best and hopefully riding a few more winners,' said Poon.
'The Tony Cruz is really good for my CV. It's really good for my career and this season is a really good chance to win it.'