Grace Heart brought up the 400th winner at Happy Valley for trainer Caspar Fownes, renowned as the “King of the Valley” at the meeting on Wednesday night.
“I love this track,” the handler said. “I’ve had a lot of fun here over the years so I’m really happy to get 400, it’s a good landmark to hit and I look forward to getting 500 in the next couple of years.
“Both horses had good chances, they’re in good form. Premium Champion was dropping down to Class 5 and that was a big plus for him. These are horses that have little issues, so it’s just nice to nurture them back into form and get the results for the owners.
“Matthew Poon’s ridden a very good race on Grace Heart, he’s used his head and sat off them, and coming to the corner it looked all over. It was just very easy – he’s riding well so he’s got a good future.”
Poon’s fellow apprentice, Wong, was on the mark with Outlawed for his milepost 45th Hong Kong success. The claimer booted the Yiu-trained six-year-old to a neck verdict over the Purton-ridden Dr Listening to secure race six, the Pak Sha O Handicap (1650m).
Apprentice Jack Wong scores his 45th Hong Kong win atop Outlawed, picture Hong Kong Jockey Club
Time Warp set a track record for the 1800m when winning at Happy Valley two weeks ago and the Tony Cruz-trained runner was not far off taking down the 1650m mark when wining the night’s class standout, the Class 2 Hoi Ha Handicap.
Alvin Ng once again did the steering as the strapping four-year-old won from the front, stopping the clock at 1m 38.90s, just 0.20s off the record. The 3.5 joint-favourite drew clear of his fellow market leader, Big Bang Bong, to win by a length and three quarters, with stablemate Super Chic, last year’s G2 Italian Derby winner, running on for third.
“He won well, I was expecting it to be the same thing again, it was another good time tonight,” Cruz said.
“He’s progressing well but he seems to like Happy Valley, maybe more than Sha Tin. The ground here is easier on him. It’s the same with Super Chic - he’ll be better over further but there aren’t a lot of options for him. I expect them both to improve into next season.”
The last, section one of the Class 3 Lai Chi Chong Handicap (1200m), went to Sunny Dragon for trainer Richard Gibson and jockey Keith Yeung. The 18/1 chance dipped his head right on the wire to edge out the Purton-trained Perpetual Joyance.
Hong Kong racing resumes at Sha Tin racecourse on Saturday, 1 July.
Time Warp makes all to win the Class 2 Hoi Ha Handicap under Alvin Ng, picture Hong Kong Jockey Club
