Cover image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Patch Of Stars leads All Too Hard double
Back in 2024, the G3 Sha Tin Vase was the first black type victory for Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) as he marched towards his current unbeaten streak. In 2026, the race went to up and comer Patch Of Stars (All Too Hard) on a night when both his sire and trainer scored a double.
The Manfred Man-trained 4-year-old gelding was backed into $2.85 and toughed out a victory by a short head for jockey Karis Teetan, with Raging Blizzard (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) in second and Tomodachi Kokoroe (Written Tycoon) in third.
“He was really good, the horse is super honest and the jockey rode him really well. The pace was good for the horse, before he was struggling a bit in the back but he had a good draw today so he performed really well,” Man’s assistant trainer Wing Ip-hang told scmp.com.
“He (Patch Of Stars) was really good, the horse is super honest and the jockey rode him really well.” - Manfred Man
“He’s a good horse in the morning, he relaxes well. I ride him every day and he’s been getting better and better. He’s still young and I think he can improve. I was a little bit confident watching; I’m really happy.”
Manfred Man with Patch Of Stars connections | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Man’s double came with Double Win (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}), while All Too Hard scored a double when Ka Ying Lightning (NZ) won earlier on the card.
Patch Of Stars has done all his racing in Hong Kong and took his record to seven wins from 17 starts with earnings over HK$11.8 million (AU$2.1 million). He becomes the 35th stakes winner for his sire.
The second-equal top price from the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale at NZ$800,000 when bought by KM Yeung, Patch Of Stars was sold by Riversley Park. They purchased him, with Michael Guerin, for $100,000 from Baramul Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
The fourth foal of Tuscany Lady (Mossman), Patch Of Stars is her fourth winner. Her fifth foal, 3-year-old filly Kazzamatazz (Headwater) is placed, and she has a yearling filly by Best Of Bordeaux. She was covered by All Too Hard in 2025.
Light Years Charm gives Eustace break through win
Ciaron Maher’s former training partner David Eustace celebrated his first group win in Hong Kong on Sunday, after less than two seasons in the region, when Light Years Charm (Rubick) won the G3 Lion Rock Trophy.
“Group races in Hong Kong are probably like winning Group Ones anywhere else. They’re hard to win and they don’t happen that often – but a Group One is on another level. It’s a big thrill,” Eustace told scmp.com. He won 30 Group 1 races in Australia with Maher.
The race was a thriller with three horses hitting the line together and Light Years Charm just getting his nose in front of Beauty Joy (Sebring) and Copartner Prance (Epaulette). Paying almost $44 for the win, Light Years Charm was the longest-priced winner of this race in the past decade.
“He (Light Years Charm) got a beautiful ride from Jerry (Chau). Jerry rides very well and is sort of adaptable to the races, which you need here, and it's nice to share a partnership with him.” - David Eustace
“I wasn’t sure – luckily a few of the senior trainers around gave me the nod that we got up, but had to wait for the slow-mo. It was close, luckily he’s a big, long horse and he’s got a long neck. He got a beautiful ride from Jerry (Chau). Jerry rides very well and is sort of adaptable to the races, which you need here, and it's nice to share a partnership with him.”
David Eustace | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Light Years Charm won at Lismore, when named Bretsal, in June 2024 before heading to Hong Kong where he’s added six more victories and earned nearly HK$15 million (AU$2.7 million). This was his first black type win and he becomes the 17th stakes winner for Rubick who was exported to China in early 2025.
The 5-year-old gelding was sold by Amarina Farm at the Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale for $3750 to S Taylor, and was a private sale to Hong Kong later. One of three winners for maiden winner Dancer’s Rose (Dehere {USA}), whose 3-year-old filly Dancingontherosso (Vino Rosso {USA}) was a winner on debut in April. There has been no mare return for Dancer’s Rose for the past two seasons. Dancer’s Rose is a three-quarter-sister to Listed winner Willy Jimmy (Dehere {USA}).
Fownes back on top of Trainer’s Premiership
A double on Sunday put Caspar Fownes two win ahead on the Hong Kong Trainer’s Premiership. Heading into the day he was equal with Danny Shum, but leading thanks to more second placings. He won with 3-year-old gelding Papaya Brose (Zousain) and Family Jewel (NZ) (Time Test {GB}).
“It was a very nice ride and he’s a young horse, carrying 135lb when you’re a three-year-old, even though it’s Class Four it’s very tough in Hong Kong when you’re against older horses. So, it was a very close finish and I’m very happy I put my head in front of Mr Hayes,” Fownes said of Papaya Brose who took his record to two wins from four starts.
“He’s (Papaya Brose) a young horse, he’s versatile, he can go longer but we’re just letting him develop further and he might have one more race before the end of the season.” - Caspar Fownes
“He’s a young horse, he’s versatile, he can go longer but we’re just letting him develop further and he might have one more race before the end of the season.”
Fownes now has 58 wins, Shum has 56 and Mark Newnham has 55. Francis Lui has 50 and David Hayes sits on 49.
Caspar Fownes | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Purton hits the magical 2000 mark
Zac Purton, who already held the record for most wins by a jockey in Hong Kong, broke fresh ground when he became the first jockey to reach 2000 wins in Hong Kong. The victory came on 2-year-old gelding Rising World (Nicconi) who won the first on the card on his debut.
“When I reflect back upon it and look at some of those great moments I’ve had in my career, it truly is amazing. I’ve been truly fortunate. Of course I couldn’t do anything without the support I get from the owners and trainers. Hong Kong’s been such a great place for me,” Purton said.
“When I reflect back upon it and look at some of those great moments I’ve had in my career, it truly is amazing... Hong Kong’s been such a great place for me.” - Zac Purton
“Ka Ying Rising’s been very big, of course. He stands at the top. The association I had with Beauty Generation, I really enjoyed that. Aerovelocity going to Japan and winning there with him was fantastic. The Derbies, Exultant used to fight like a lion – I loved him. There’s so many horses, I could sit here all day and name them all, but there’s been a fair few horses of the year I’ve been able to throw my leg over and it’s made it a lot easier.”
Purton began riding in Hong Kong in 2007 when Douglas Whyte was at the peak of his career. Only Whyte and Joao Moreira have surpassed 1000 wins in Hong Kong.
“To come here and not have the red carpet rolled out for me – I had to work for everything I’ve got and that wasn’t easy, I stayed determined and resilient and kept turning up,” he said.
“Everything that comes with that, to be standing here today it makes it obviously all feel like it’s been worthwhile. I think that makes it feel a bit more special.”
“Everything that comes with that, to be standing here today it makes it obviously all feel like it’s been worthwhile. I think that makes it feel a bit more special.” - Zac Purton
Trained by Brett Crawford, Rising World was sold by Collingrove Stud at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale for $50,000 to Ozbloodstock Co Ltd.
“I thought the horse did a great job. First time at the races, never easy from gate 10. I think he gave him a very good ride and I think he’s a horse that will go forward from here. He trialled exceptionally well last week in really tough conditions, we were just a bit disappointed with the gate,” Crawford said.
Rising World is the final foal of Royal Singer (Royal Academy {USA}) who was retired from stud duties after missing to Hanseatic following Rising World’s birth. Of her 11 foals, eight raced and Rising World is her seventh winner.
Royal Singer won five races including the Cowra Cup and once at Flemington, and she’s from family of New Zealand stallion Woodborough (USA).
