Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Trainer John Size’s season missed the start and tracked the field for a while, then exploded with a quartet of wins on Sunday at Sha Tin, making it six for the week.
“I’ve been a bit slow out of the gate this season because our horses had to have a break, but they’re starting to show some form now. Hopefully, it will continue on. We had to be patient and had to wait for it, but it came,” Size told hkjc.com.
John Size | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
A French Zoustar to highlight the evening
Formerly trained by Francis-Henri Graffard where he won three races, Size-trained Stellar Express (Fr) (Zoustar) won for the first time in Hong Kong in the Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup H. over 1000 metres, clocking 55.90s to beat I Give (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and James Tak (Headwater) to claim a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million (AU$302,000), plus the winner’s purse of HK$1.59 million (AU$321,000). He has had 12 starts in Hong Kong, so the win was a while coming.
“He (Stellar Express) was good, he’s obviously been busting to win one. I’d only had two rides on him and he ran well both times but hadn’t been able to get the job done. I think the blinkers have really helped, he was able to find the outside fence, controlled the gallop and he was tough. He responded really well,” said jockey Brenton Avdulla.
The third foal of winning mare Darinja (Fr) (Shamardal {USA}), this is the family of Champion 3YO Filly in Europe in 2007 Darjina (Fr) (Zamindar {USA}) who won three Group 1 races in France.
Mickley has Classic series hopes
In the last, Size-trained Mickley (Ire) (Soldier’s Call {GB}) won at his second start in the region for jockey Hugh Bowman. “It was a nice win. I understand he hunted the rail and didn’t go around a horse, but still he had to find the acceleration and pick up. His manners are good, he seems to have settled into Hong Kong quite quickly and he should have a bright future,” Size said.
Placed in two starts at two, Mickley won three in succession at three in England, including the Royal Ascot Brittania S. over a mile in June 2024. Sent to Hong Kong, he was fourth on his local debut, and this win was his second start in Hong Kong. Mickley is out of Parle Moi (USA) (Giant’s Causeway {USA}) who has produced one other winner Loquace (Ire) (Exceed And Excel).
Size’s other two winners were Zac Purton-ridden Beauty Alliance (Starcraft) and James McDonald-ridden Grand Nova (Vancouver). Beauty Alliance has done all his racing in Hong Kong and is a winner from five starts. He was sold by Rosemont Stud for $14,000 as a weanling at the Inglis Great Southern Sale to Bleakley Bloodstock, and on sold as a yearling for NZ$200,000 by Highden Park at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale to Dullingham.
Beauty Alliance is one of six winners for Redoute’s Choice mare Rezyana, who was Group 3-placed, and is a half-sister to Listed winner Express Power (Snitzel).
Grand Nova has won two of his eight starts, all in Hong Kong, and he was sold by Caithness Breeding at the 2022 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale to Trilogy for $60,000. By Vancouver, whose Overpass continues to dominate in Western Australia, he is one of six winners from as many to race for Longing (Lonhro).
McDonald to miss Magic Millions carnival after suspension
Jockey James McDonald will miss the Magic Millions carnival after being given a seven-meeting suspension by chief steward Marc van Gestel. “J McDonald was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Thursday, 26 December 2024 and to expire on Thursday, 16 January 2025 on which day he may resume race riding,” the stewards report said.
“In addition, Jockey McDonald was fined $60,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 3 and the consequences grade 5 and also considered his very good race riding record.”
Two-back on the rail cornering for home aboard eventual winner Swift Ascend (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), McDonald pushed his horse wide making heavy contact with Lucky Archangel (Deep Field) and forcing that horse into the path of Joyful Hunter (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) who clipped heels and fell badly. Jockey Lyle Hewitson was taken to Union Hospital for scans after injuring his knee and toe. He later confirmed to scmp.com that his injuries wouldn’t led to time away from racing. Trained by Francis Lui, Joyful Hunter rolled back to his feet and returned to scale and appeared unscathed.
Purton’s double edges him closer to record
Jockey Zac Purton’s double gave him 50 wins for the season and he’s only 22 away from the all-time Hong Kong record, set by Douglas Whyte at 1813 wins. Purton’s Hong Kong career tally is now 1791. “We’re chipping away, hopefully there’s a few more to come. Getting there – slower than I want. I would like to ride a few more winners,” Purton said.
He won on John Size-trained Beauty Alliance and Frankie Lor’s Triumphant More (Star Turn). Triumphant More is an exciting type and has now taken his record to two wins from three starts. Sold by Edinglassie Stud for $100,000 at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale to The 8 Syndicate, he was offered at the Inglis Ready To Race Sale but passed in.
Star Turn is making a name for himself in Hong Kong and Triumphant More is one of three winners for Ready To Reign (More Than Ready {USA}) who won five races including one in Sydney.
