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Hong Kong Racing News
Thursday, October 13 2022
Jamie Richards to the fore with landmark Happy Valley wins

Former New Zealand champion handler Jamie Richards got his breakthrew winner in Hong Kong in the Class 5 Pottinger Handicap (1000m) with Handsome Rebel – who, in a remarkable chain of events, was initially trained in New Zealand in 2018 by Richards.

The Denman gelding moved back to Richards’ Sha Tin base after the 2021/22 Hong Kong season before providing Victor Wong with his first triumph of the term.

“I'm very pleased, it's been a long road getting to here,” Richards, multiple New Zealand Champion Trainer, said. “It's good to get the birdie off the back and get the winner. A big thank you to everyone at the stable, they've all been working really hard and have done a great job.

“(Assistant trainer) Jones (Ma) has assembled a really good team of people and obviously I'm very new here and still learning what it's all about, so they have worked incredibly hard to keep me up to speed.

“Victor rode him perfectly, he didn't have to think too much - he just had to go forward and keep rolling. It's a very, very special moment.”

Wong, 29, was overjoyed after partnering Handsome Rebel.

“This horse has improved so much in the summer. Every day in the summer, I ride him and I’m so happy that he’s improved. I’m very happy to get the ride for Jamie Richards, I must thank him for the ride.”

Tony Cruz reclaimed the lead in the trainers’ championship with a double, first striking with Street Scream in the Class 3 Pedder Handicap (1200m) under Matthew Chadwick before saddling Berlin Tango in the Class 2 Man Yiu Handicap (1650m) for Silvestre de Sousa.

De Sousa continued his excellent form by cajoling Francis Lui’s London Luckystar to victory in the Class 5 Man Cheung Handicap (1650m), the Holy Roman Emperor gelding’s maiden success at his 32nd start in Hong Kong.

Vincent Ho slotted his 10th victory of the campaign aboard runaway winner Jumbo Legend in the first section of the Class 4 Finance Street Handicap (1200m) for Caspar Fownes before Danny Shum’s Comet Splendido snared a HK$1 million PP Bonus with narrow victory under Zac Purton in the Class 3 HKEX Cup Handicap (1650m).

Purton slotted a brace with Pierre Ng-trained Kungfumaster Panda’s success in the Class 4 Li Yuen Handicap (1800m), providing the Australian with his ninth win from 18 rides after the reigning champion’s seven-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday (9 October).

Purton was denied a treble by Alfred Chan piloted his first winner of the campaign, weaving his way into clear running on Sugar Sugar to land the second section of the Class 4 Finance Street Handicap (1200m) for Caspar Fownes.

Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin with the running of the HK$5 million G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m).

Posted by: AT 06:50 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
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