Thrilling finish to Tony Cruz Award
The Tony Cruz Award for best local jockey in Hong Kong went down to the final race of the season on Wednesday night at Happy Valley. Heading into the meeting, jockey Matthew Poon was on 36 wins, Matthew Chadwick on 35 and Derek Leung on 34. A double from Leung aboard Vulcanus (Lean Mean Machine) and then on 3-year-old gelding Regal Gem (GB) (Zoustar) in the last race of the season had him leap into first equal.
A countback to determine the winner quickly found that both Leung and Poon had 36 wins and 38 second placings over the season, but Poon gained the title with 56 third placings to Leung’s 35.
“It’s a really great competition. It’s good motivation for all of us. We stay very focused and hungry throughout the season. All of the local jockeys improve as a result. I think it really encourages every local jockey to improve. I’m so glad I can get there and it means a lot to win my first one – hopefully I will win a second one as well,” Poon told hkjc.com.
Leung said, “The competition is a positive for the local jockeys. It’s a good result for me and I hope I can bring this form for next season and have a good start – tonight, I can’t catch the (Poon) Train.”
Zoustar sired a double with Regal Gem and Amazing Run, who made it two in a row and is the first foal of Group 1 winner Global Glamour (Star Witness).
Estadio Mestalla ready for Winter double
Last start Listed Winter Stakes winner Estadio Mestalla (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) will attempt the winter double when he runs in Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge at Rosehill for trainer Joe Pride. “It’s similar to the other day, he’s drawn wide with the blinkers on, and he was able to roll forward and do it at both ends,” jockey Dylan Gibbons told racingnsw.com.au.
“He may have had no expectation (on him) but when I looked into the form his first run was a pass mark and then he’s a noted horse to never do anything second up. The market had him 60/1 but I wasn’t treating him like that.
“Hopefully it’s just a race of ability versus ability. There were some luckless ones behind him but he still got the run on the board now for winning. It’s a 3kg swing to some of them so that’s not ideal but how much does that actually impact. We’ll find out Saturday.”
Fortunate Kiss heads home via Winter Challenge
Last start winner of the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast, Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans-trained Fortunate Kiss (Divine Prophet) will run in Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge at Rosehill before heading back to Victoria. “We're not just running her just because it's on the way home,” Yeomans told racing.com.
“She pulled up super from her win and this is a Listed race over 1500 metres and it looks ideal. It was always in the plan to run in this race. What we probably originally thought was if she hasn't won a Listed race, it's another one to have a crack at but thankfully she's got that job done. So it's just another little bonus race for her as she's in such great form and so happy and well.
Fortunate Kiss | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“It's funny these horses that have not won a race in a while, often when they win, they come out and they've got their confidence up and they win again. Let's hope that's the case with our horse.”
Racing WA renews therapy commitment
On Thursday, Racing WA announced they have renewed the long-standing partnership with HorsePower Australia, which provides therapeutic riding programs for people with diverse abilities. “Families living with physical or mental health challenges often carry heavy therapy and medical expenses,” Racing and Wagering Western Australia CEO Ian Edwards said.
“By supporting HorsePower Australia, our goal is to remove this barrier so more people can experience the healing power of horses.” The partnership began in 2014 and has included over $800,000 worth of support since then and utilises horses who go through the Racing WA Off The Track program.
Ian Edwards | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“We carefully select horses with the right temperament to support people with physical, intellectual, emotional and social challenges. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a retired racehorse learn new skills and find a meaningful purpose in the next stage of its life.”
HorsePower Australia President Janet Allen added, “Racing WA’s support allows us to focus on delivering impactful programs and running inclusive events like the Winter Games—rather than worrying about how we’ll cover the cost of caring for our horses.” The games were held on July 12.
Mostly For Show to show off in Sires’ Produce
Trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly will send 2-year-old colt Mostly For Show (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) for a spell after this Saturday’s G3 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes. “He's been running well without winning, a couple of races he hasn't had a lot of luck in,” Richard Jolly told racing.com.
Richard and Chantelle Jolly | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“He ran quite well in the Oaklands Plate three weeks ago (when fourth). We were tempted to spell him, but we decided to give him one more go, he pulled up well after that. He's drawn a nice gate on Saturday, so hopefully he can probably race a touch closer in what's probably a similar field to the one he ran in last time.”
Shining Smile resumes at Flemington
Winner of four of his six starts, including three Listed wins, already this season, Lindsay Park-trained 2-year-old colt Shining Smile (Spirit Of Boom) will resume at Flemington on Saturday. “He's a good horse down the straight, so we're looking forward to seeing him,” Flemington-based assistant trainer Rahis Baig told racing.com.
Shining Smile | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“He's had a couple of nice jumpouts leading into the race. He's a horse who's run in good-quality races, so he's been penalised with a bit of weight, but Logan's claim would probably help him.” He hasn’t raced since winning the Listed TAB 2YO Plate in March.
Taka Speed thrills on debut
Matt Laurie-trained 3-year-old gelding Taka Speed (NZ) (Savabeel) won on debut at Cranbourne on Thursday. “Hard to tell what he was going to do today, because I'd never really let him go in the trials,” jockey Jake Noonan said.
“He had to make a run around them, because it just wasn't taking me anywhere at the time. It's hard to do that when the rail's out at Cranbourne, let alone around Cranbourne at all, so he's done a good job. To his credit, he flattened out and accelerated pretty good. That caught me off guard, especially for a horse who I think's going to get out to a mile and further in time.” He is out of stakes placed Toffee Nose (Toorak Toff) and was a NZ$300,000 purchase by Hong Kong trainer Pierre Ng at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale and was offered by Curraghmore.
Double for Alabama Express at Cranbourne
Second season sire Alabama Express sired a pair of 3-year-old winners at Cranbourne on Thursday. Chris Waller-trained filly Eagle Express took her record to two wins from 11 starts with her 0.46l victory. She is the first foal of unraced Crowned Eagle (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Go Indy Go (Bernardini {USA}), and Group 3-winning pair of Air Assault (Justify {USA}) and Essay Raider (Bernardini {USA}).
Julius Sandhu-trained filly Gentle Steel won the second over 1200 metres by 1.5l at her second career start. Neither filly were sold as yearlings.
Hanseatic gains winner number four
The victory by 2-year-old gelding Sea Admiral (Hanseatic) at Kembla Grange gave his first season sire his fourth winner. Sea Admiral, trained by John Thompson, was having his second start, having debuted in February in a race won by future Group 3 winner King Of Pop (Farnan).
Hanseatic’s first crop also includes stakes placed Befuddle, Bermondsey, and Rohesia. Sea Admiral was originally sold by Taghadoe Stud at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $20,000 to Carrington Park Stud who pinhooked him at the Inglis Classic Yearling where he sold for $70,000 to John Thompson Racing.
A half-brother to stakes placed Mount Zero (Northern Meteor), he is one of eight winners for Listed winner Beauty School (Royal Academy {USA}), a half-sister to Listed winner Petite Dane (Danehill {USA}).
Foreign Press wins at Ipswich
Tony Gollan’s 2-year-old filly Foreign Press (Invader) resumed at Ipswich on Thursday with a victory, having run in The Debut at her only other start back in January. Sold by Figtree Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, she was purchased by Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) for $65,000.
Foreign Press is the first foal of Writer’s Block (Written Tycoon), who is a winning half-sister to stakes placed Demanding Miss (Commands).
Treble for Gray at Awapuni
Trainers Stephen and Kevin Gray enjoyed a treble on the polytrack at Awapuni on Thursday with 3-year-old gelding Cosentino (NZ) (El Roco), Tears Of Victory (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) and Our Akashinga (Exceedance). “He just keeps improving, he’s a very quick horse and has always shown speed,” Stephen Gray said of Cosentino who has three wins from seven starts.
“From my experienced in Singapore with poly racing, if they have that speed and get to like it, they appreciate the short straights. He’s a horse like that, and I’m sure he’ll be the same once he gets on the grass. I’m not an advocate of running horses on the heavy tracks at this time of the year, so while the poly racing is here, we may as well take advantage of it.”
Stephen and Kevin Gray | Image courtesy of Race Images
Our Akashinga won impressively by 3.5l. “She is a very good filly, she’ll go right through the grades. She’s going to be a nice 4-year-old Cups mare eventually, I’ve got a lot of time for her. She’s Australian-owned and they’ll have a lot of fun with her in the spring, she’s a beautiful horse.”
Savaglee to miss the spring
Group 1-winning 3-year-old colt Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) will likely miss the spring, and head into the autumn in Australia. “You won’t see him probably until after Christmas, he could have a run here and then go to Australia,” trainer Pam Gerard told Loveracing.nz.
“Obviously, he’s been off for quite a while for a colt and it’s hard to make a plan until we get him back to the stable and see how he’s working, but the aim is a Group 1 in Australia.” He hasn’t raced since finishing second in the G1 Australian Guineas in March.
HKJC CEO thrilled with season
Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges was thrilled with the 2024/25 season in the region. “It’s been an amazing season, with outstanding performances by top horses that have truly captured the imagination of fans not just in Hong Kong but around the world,” Engelbrecht-Bresges told hkjc.com. Total racecourse attendance for the season was over 1.7 million, including a record 195,786 Mainland tourists, a massive jump from 93,000 the season before. Wagering hit HK$138.85 billion (AU$27.25 billion), up 3% on 2023/24, and going a good way towards reversing the 4.5% drop from 2022/23.
“Since the Policy Address of HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, we have been able to attract even more Mainland and overseas tourists, who have come to our racecourses in record numbers to experience our city’s signature sport for themselves. These achievements strengthen the position of Hong Kong racing as a world-class sport and entertainment experience. They have also made an important contribution to Hong Kong tourism as well as underlining Hong Kong’s vital role as a centre for East-West exchange.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“Hong Kong racing is truly world class and I am immensely proud of the performances of our champion horses, jockeys and trainers. The achievements of amazing horses such as Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble reflect the expertise, dedication and passion of our trainers and jockeys as well as the strong commitment of our owners, who continue to make significant investments to secure the best available equine talent.
“Rewarding and incentivising horse owners for their tremendous contributions is a priority for the Club. Their contributions create economic and social benefits through their investment to bring overseas quality horses to Hong Kong. In 2024/25, we introduced a suite of initiatives including an enhanced Private Purchase Bonus Scheme of HK$1.5 million for eligible horses, an investment of HK$140 million to reduce livery fees and to increase travel subsidies for Hong Kong owners to export their retired horses by HK$50,000 per horse.
“Thanks to these and other initiatives in the 2024/25 season, Hong Kong’s horse population significantly increased from 1,203 horses in June 2024 to 1,296 (as of 30 June). Notably, the number of horses in Class 3 and above rose from 414 in 2023/24 to 441 in 2024/25. In addition, applications for 2026/27 Horse Import Permits increased by 11.9%, with submissions for both Private Purchase (PP) and Private Purchase Griffin (PPG) permits, while the success of syndicate ownership continues to stand out.”
Ana O’Brien has first winner as owner
Trainer Donnacha O’Brien’s 2-year-old colt A Boy Named Susie (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) made a strong impression by winning a race claimed by Derby hero Lambourn (Ire) just a year ago. The victory also marked the first winner for Donnacha’s sister, Ana, as an owner, eight years after a career-ending fall at the same track.
“In fairness, Donnacha always liked this horse and I'm delighted he came out and did that. It's my first time back here since my fall, so thankfully this is a much better day,” Ana O’Brien said.
