Unbeaten Crossborderpegasus highlights John Size's treble as he extends championship lead
A pair of progressive three-year-olds and a perennial placegetter helped deliver John Size a treble as the master trainer extended his championship lead again at Sha Tin on Saturday.
Continuing his onslaught after bouncing back from a slow start to the season, Size moved to 42 wins – four clear of nearest rival David Hayes – after Crossborderpegasus, Lifeline Express and Juneau Pride saluted.
Crossborderpegasus became the first leg of Size's three-timer when he maintained his unbeaten record at start two in the Class Four Azalea Handicap (1,200m) under Hugh Bowman.
Sent off the $1.3 favourite after an impressive debut win last month, the Rich Enuff three-year-old again showed his inexperience when laying in over the concluding stages but he still proved half a length too slick for Lucky Symphony.
Crossborderpegasus remains unbeaten! 👌@HugeBowman guides John Size's Rich Enuff speedster to a second straight win at Sha Tin... #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/LlGmYBUN1p — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 15, 2025
'He's going well. He's certainly got a bit of ability and it's just a matter of developing that,' said 12-time champion trainer Size.
'If he can improve on that, it will be promising for his future.'
Lifeline Express snapped a streak of six placings – including four seconds – since his last victory when he broke through in the Class Three Angelonia Handicap (1,200m).
Ridden by Andrea Atzeni, the Shooting To Win gelding stormed home from the second half of the field to comfortably beat Geneva by a length and three-quarters, justifying $3 favouritism.
Three-year-old Juneau Pride capped Size's treble when he made it back-to-back triumphs in the Class Three Cosmos Handicap (1,400m).
'I don't know how far he'll go but everything he does is workmanlike and he's been a very honest horse, right from the first day,' Size said.
Despite rising eight pounds on his last-start win, Juneau Pride took advantage of a soft run in midfield from gate two and ran on solidly between runners in the straight.
The Pride Of Dubai gelding accounted for Eighty Light Years by three-quarters of a length as the $1.75 first elect.
John Size extends his championship lead! 🔥
The Australian Racing Hall of Famer scoops a treble as Juneau Pride impresses once again... @brentonavdulla #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/tTbrbsVO13 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 15, 2025
He boasts a strong record of three wins and four placings from seven starts and capped a Saturday double for in-form jockey Brenton Avdulla.
The Australian rider was also successful aboard Pierre Ng Pang-chi's Soaring Bronco in the Class Five Dahlia Handicap (1,600m).
Elsewhere on Saturday's card, Hayes bagged his 38th victory of the season when World Hero made all in the Class Five Snapdragon Handicap (1,200m) under Luke Ferraris.
'He's only three, so I'd expect him to have his better seasons next year and the year after,' Hayes said after World Hero scored his maiden win at start 10.
'It just seems like he's been here a long time as he came here as a two-year-old. Physically he'll get better as he matures. I've always thought he's a 1,400m [horse] and a miler.'
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