Karis Teetan is enjoying a sharp start to the new campaign. The Mauritian ace took his tally to five wins to consolidate second spot on the early leaderboard after a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday.
“It’s going well and I appreciate the support I’m getting,” Teetan said. “It’s my fifth year here and I’m really enjoying it but there’s still a long way to go this season.”
The rider snared a race-to-race double when the Me Tsui-trained Telecom Boom took the fourth and Morethanlucky the fifth, the latter providing first-season trainer Frankie Lor with the second leg of a double. Teetan wrapped up his three-timer when the David Ferraris-trained Amazing Agility, a 6.7 chance, arrowed late to snag race eight, the Class 3 Guangzhou Handicap (1600m).
“Amazing Agility’s a nice little horse and ran a very good third last time,” Teetan said. “I had a better gate (five), so I didn't have to drag him all the way back; he had a nice position turning for home and he was following some decent horses. They pulled him through and he gave me a nice kick.”
Amazing Agility (No.6) storms home to win the Class 3 Guangzhou Handicap, picture Hong Kong Jockey Club
Champion jockey Joao Moreira matched Teetan’s treble. The Brazilian won the opening two contests, steering the Michael Chang-trained Super Euro Star to win the first, the Class 4 Maoming Handicap (1200m), and then following up with Seven Luck, for the Lor stable, in the next, the Class 5 Zhaoqing Handicap (1000m).
Moreira rounded off the afternoon with a driving victory in the last, the Class 3 Dongguan Handicap (1200m, dirt) atop the Tsui-trained Dragon General. The handler leads the trainers’ table after three meetings with five wins.
Apprentice Matthew Poon delivered Hit A Home Run with a late dip to win the third, the Class 4 Zhanjiang Handicap (1600m). That was a first win of the term for the rider’s boss, trainer David Hall.
Old allies Zac Purton and Paul O’Sullivan joined forces with Amazing Moment to win the sixth, the Class 4 Shantou Handicap (1200m, dirt).
Hong Kong racing resumes at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 13 September.
