Karis Teetan picks up Classic Cup ride on Johannes Brahms as Pierre Ng eyes Happy Valley success
Karis Teetan has picked up the ride on Johannes Brahms in Sunday's Classic Cup (1,800m) and trainer Pierre Ng Pang-chi hopes to start a big week with a last-gasp DBS x Manulife Million Challenge triumph at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Fresh from his Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) victory on Ka Ying Rising on Sunday, Teetan will team up with Johannes Brahms for the first time when Ng's import bids to repeat his impressive last-start win over 1,600m at Sha Tin.
Andrea Atzeni guided the former Aidan O'Brien-trained gelding to victory on February 15, but Ng was forced to search for a new rider with the Sardinian jockey committed to riding Dennis Yip Chor-hong's Noisy Boy in the Classic Cup.
'Before the last run, it was hard to book a jockey for him but luckily we've got Karis on him. Hopefully we get a better draw and he can run well,' Ng said.
Tough win, Johannes Brahms! 💪
Former Aidan O'Brien galloper grabs a second win in Hong Kong, taking the Class 2 Heung Yee Kuk Cup at Sha Tin, for @Atzenijockey and Pierre Ng... 🏆#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/BYjvTgQCMg — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 16, 2025
Johannes Brahms bounced back from his well-beaten last of 14 when caught wide in the Classic Mile to beat Speed Dragon in the Class Two Heung Yee Kuk Cup.
A Naas maiden winner and Group Two runner-up pre-import, the son of Siyouni also won on his third Hong Kong start in December when ridden by James McDonald.
Before turning his attention to the second leg of the four-year-old series, Ng has high hopes for I Can and Aurora Lady figuring in the Million Challenge finale at the Valley.
Soleil Fighter, the series leader on 50 points, can clinch the HK$1 million bonus for connections if he salutes in the Class Three Tsui Man Handicap (1,650m), but Ng's duo can strike if the David Hayes-trained gelding doesn't win.
I Can is tied for second on 42 points with Gustosismo, who isn't racing on Wednesday night. Ng's three-time Valley winner will clash with Soleil Fighter in the Tsui Man Handicap.
Running from September to February for Class Three horses and above, the Million Challenge is decided on a format of 15 points for a win, six for second, four for third and three for fourth.
'He's very consistent. He's always very close,' Ng said of I Can.
'He just needs the race run at a suitable pace and he'll run well.'
It's the 'Zac Purton Show' at Happy Valley! 📺
The superstar jockey makes it SIX WINS on the card tonight as Aurora Lady denies a fast-closing Beauty Destiny with consecutive victories... 🔥
@zpurton | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/MVyYTD9fxf — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 26, 2024
Atzeni will ride I Can and Aurora Lady (36 points), who will bid to improve on his fifth-place standing in the Million Challenge when he contests the Class Three Sing Woo Handicap (1,200m).
Also a three-time Valley winner, Aurora Lady returns to the city circuit after having plenty of excuses when ninth to Green N White in the Class Two Chinese New Year Cup (1,400m) at the Lunar New Year meeting.
'It was just a race that didn't suit him and he pulled hard,' Ng said of Aurora Lady, who also pulled up with an epiglottic entrapment and lame in the left front leg the next day.
'He's back to normal now and we're running him at his best distance. He's won three times this season at this track and distance, so I think he will be performing.'
The Valley meeting also features two Class One contests, with Ng's Group Three winner Taj Dragon set for the first of them, the Blue Pool Handicap (1,200m).
'He was a bit unlucky last start, he didn't get a clear run,' Ng said of Taj Dragon's fifth behind Lucky With You at Sha Tin.
'He still finished off well even though he was carrying top weight. He definitely has the class for Class One. He's up against some good Happy Valley horses, but hopefully he can go well.'
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