The featured Class 3 Members Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday went to Francis Lui’s progressive four-year-old Jumbo Luck (121lb), who made it three wins from five starts with a two and a quarter length victory under Joao Moreira.
The Brazilian rider then made it back-to-back wins on classy four-year-old Seasons Bloom in the Class 2 Moon Koon Handicap (1600m), with trainer Danny Shum indicating that the Hong Kong Classic Mile and Hong Kong Classic Cup placegetter would now have a break.
Danny Shum-trained Seasons Bloom, ridden by Joao Moreira, emerged as a LONGINES Hong Kong Mile contender after his win in the Class 2 Moon Koon Handicap (1600m), picture Hong Kong Jockey Club
“It’s been a long, but very good, season for him,” Shum said. “We could go to the Class 1 on the last day, but I think we will put him away now and bring him back next season – we will aim towards the Hong Kong Mile. Hopefully Joao can ride him then!”
The double took Moreira to 160 wins for the season and within striking range of his record total of 168 from last term with seven meetings remaining.
The Class 2 The Racing Club Handicap (1200m) saw Me Tsui-trained Shamal (121lb) win his fifth race in a row, with apprentice Dylan Mo scoring his maiden victory with a reduced seven-pound claim. The free-bowling type made all once more, with his trainer saying the pre-race scratching of John Moore-trained Sea Jade gave his horse a better chance.
“We are lucky that John Moore’s horse came out,” Tsui said. “It looked like it was going to be a fast race, but no Sea Jade meant that Dylan was allowed to control the race on his own. This horse, he is tough when he is up on the lead, that’s been some effort!”
Fellow apprentice Matthew Poon also continued his good recent form with a double, winning aboard Dennis Yip-trained Metallic Star (123lb) in the Class 4 Levade Handicap (1400m) and Victory Boys (126lb), prepared by his master David Hall, in the Class 3 Fortune Room Handicap (1800m).
