Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Purton posts a treble as he dominates the jockey premiership
Zac Purton continued his hot form this season, riding a treble to stretch his lead in the premiership to 17 over his nearest competitor Luke Ferraris. His victories came aboard Ragnarr (Olympic Glory {Ire}), Hakka Radiance (GB) (Massaat {Ire}) and Harmony N Blessed (Magnus), at Happy Valley’s only day meeting of the year.
It was an astute ride on Ragnarr, overcoming a tricky barrier before proving strongest late.
Trainer David Hall praised both horse and jockey, “Pre-race we knew we were in trouble with the barrier, but Zac just got into a great spot and showed what a great jockey he is,” Hall told scmp.com.
“Ragnarr has been in Class Five for a while, and he’s been a bit unlucky not to win a few previously, so it’s great that things are going his way at the moment.”
Previously raced as Leap Year for Michael Kent in Australia, Ragnarr won on debut at Cranbourne before being exported to Hong Kong. He is out of Plain Magic (Magic Albert), a Listed J Cadell Garrick Handicap winner.
He has now won three races in total, and was purchased by Peregrine Bloodstock for $32,000 from the Bowness Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Keetan racks up 300 Happy Valley wins, and Hayes lands a double
Storm Rider (Dracarys) was an impressive winner of the HK$2.84 million (AU$558,200) Class 2 Guangzhou Handicap over 1200 metres at Happy Valley on Sunday, and the victory also marked Karis Teetan’s milestone 300th win at the city circuit - joining Zac Purton as the only active jockeys in Hong Kong to achieve the feat.
Storm Rider gained a start as a standby runner following the withdrawal of Packing Bole (Deep Field), and he capitalised on the opportunity to continue the strong recent form of David Hayes, both locally and abroad, with the win forming part of a stable double.
“You know you’re having a good run when that happens,” Hayes told hkjc.com.
“Barriers win races and he drew the beautiful barrier. He’s gone all the way now to the upper class, which is wonderful. When he was second last time by a short head, he probably ran the best sectional of the day.
“I think he’ll be able to hold his spot in the upper class. He’s probably going to be better at 1400 metres.”
Teetan was full of praise for the gelding and grateful for the milestone ride.
“I was lucky to pick up the ride – on his (Storm Rider’s) last run, he was always a good ride in this race with no weight,” Teetan said. “Thanks to David and the owner for giving me the opportunity. He had a good run through from that draw (barrier one) and it’s nice to get 300 wins at Happy Valley – how good.”
Storm Rider is out of Zeffiretta (Husson {Arg}), a 1000-metre winner who was multiple metropolitan-placed in Victoria. Zeffiretta is a three-quarter-sister to Fist Of Fury (Hussonet {USA}), who was a dual winner and G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes placegetter.
Storm Rider’s grandam Venticello (Chimes Square) was a seven-time winner up to 1350 metres, and placed in both the Listed Triscay Stakes and Listed Civic Handicap.
Zeffiretta has since produced a 3-year-old filly named Eskimo Lu (Dracarys), a yearling filly by Dracarys, and sadly lost a Dracarys colt this year shortly after birth.
Storm Rider was purchased by Merrick Staunton for $80,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale from the Oakwood Farm draft.
David Hayes | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
The second leg of Hayes’ double came courtesy of evergreen sprinter Harmony N Blessed (Magnus), who claimed his tenth career victory as a 9-year-old.
“He’s loving his racing - I’m 63 and going all right so maybe we’ll see him at 10,” Hayes told scmp.com.
“If he gets the right conditions, he can run really well and today the barrier was the key back in class.
“To see the owners get such a thrill for his 10th win, it’s great. To do it at the age of nine in Hong Kong is really hard.”
“To see the owners get such a thrill for his (Harmony N Blessed) 10th win, it’s great. To do it at the age of nine in Hong Kong is really hard.” - David Hayes
Harmony N Blessed is out of seven-time winner Fly To Win (Danewin), a full sister to G3 Tranquil Star Stakes and Listed Silver Jubilee Stakes winner Haste Ye Back (Danewin). He was purchased by John Foote Bloodstock for $60,000 at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from the Rushton Park draft, and has now earned HK$17,334,875 (AU$3.4 million).
Bowman lands a double
Australian jockey Hugh Bowman also enjoyed a successful afternoon, teaming with Danny Shum to win the HK$1,170,000 (AU$229,960) Class 4 Huizhou Handicap over 1650 metres aboard Fantastic Fun (Justify {USA}).
The gelding backed up a recent Happy Valley win and finished strongly to edge out pacesetter Samarkand (NZ) (Mongolian Khan {NZ}).
“He was given a free kick last start with an inside draw and a slow pace and he won well,” Bowman told scmp.com. “Today he had an awkward barrier and I was able to fluke a really good spot with a genuine tempo and he’s got improvement, too. He’s a big, strong horse with the talent to carry a big weight if he has to.”
Formerly known as Heads You Lose in Australia, Fantastic Fun won both of his starts for trainer Chris Waller before his Hong Kong transfer. He is out of Tails Wins (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), an unraced mare who has proven a quality producer - her foals include Group 3-winning sire Super One, and the lightning-fast and multiple stakes-placed sprinter Super Too (Hinchinbrook).
Tails Wins has since produced a 3-year-old filly by Justify (USA), a 2-year-old colt by Yes Yes Yes, and foaled another Yes Yes Yes filly in October.
Fantastic Fun was purchased by China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock for $280,000 from the Fairhill Farm draft at the 2021 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
Bowman later partnered Argento Ocean (D’Argento) to break through at start five in the HK$1,170,000 (AU$229,960) Class 4 Hong Kong Country Club Challenge Cup over 1200 metres for Douglas Whyte.
“He’s shown us a nice bit of promise. He’s been plagued by awkward draws and he still lacks maturity but he’s got an engine and he’s been developed nicely,” Bowman said. “He made his own luck today, and I think there’s still improvement to come with him mentally.”
Argento Ocean was purchased by Ahead All Limited for $40,000 from the Kitchwin Hills draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
