Ben Thompson notches his first Hong Kong win
Ben Thompson enjoyed breakthrough Hong Kong success at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, describing his win on Courier Magic (Savabeel) as “an amazing result” after the rider’s patience and resolve was finally rewarded.
Undeterred after 48 fruitless previous outings, Thompson snared his first Hong Kong win aboard the Jamie Richards-trained four-year-old, triumphing at 40-1 in the Class 5 Kwoon Chung Cross Boundary Service Handicap (1650m).
Adding to a career tally of 800 wins accumulated in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UAE Thompson was elated – and relieved – after the victory.
“It’s taken a couple of weeks to wait, but it’s extremely rewarding to ride a winner here,” he said. “It’s just nice to get the first winner out of the way – a big thanks to Jamie Richards, his team and connections.
“It’s very surreal. I’m sure it’s not going to sink in straight away, but a huge thrill – an amazing result for my career.
“They gave me a nice fit horse to ride and he draw well [barrier three] and it worked out perfectly.
“Every jockey, wherever they go, let alone Hong Kong, wants to ride winners and I didn’t expect anything to be easier – nothing has surprised me – and it was just a matter of being patient and riding everything as well as I could and it’s great to finally get a winner.”
Richards slotted a double and Hugh Bowman added to last Sunday’s treble when Celestial Colours (Zoustar) clinched the Class 3 Kwoon Chung Bus Cup Handicap (1200m).
Ricky Yiu also posted a double, praising Luke Ferraris’s ride on Colonel (Ferlax) after the veteran sprinter led all the way in the Class 5 Kwoon Chung Motors Handicap (1200m) to claim his fourth win over the course and distance.
“The jockey loves to go the front, he’s a front-running jockey – he did a good job and the other advantage is the horse dropping to Class 5,” Yiu said.
Preparing to send stable star Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) to the UAE for the Dubai Turf (Gr 1, 1800m) on March 30, Yiu confirmed the Stewards’ Cup (Gr 1, 1600m) victor would be ridden at Meydan by Mickael Barzalona.
“Voyage Bubble is doing well, there’s every chance I will give him a trial before he leaves on the 19th and everything is on the right track,” Yiu said.
Yiu’s brace came with Solar Partner’s (Zoustar) success in the Class 4 Kwoon Chung Inclusive & Accessible Service Handicap (1200m) under Bowman. Like Colonel, Solar Partner had dropped in grade and was far too good for his rivals.
John Size extended a familiar mid-season surge with Amazing Teens’ (Darci Brahma) success under Alexis Badel in the Class 4 Trans-Island Chinalink Handicap (1800m). The 12-time champion trainer now has 36 victories for the campaign to trail only Pierre Ng (49) and Francis Lui (37).
Tony Cruz and Angus Chung combined for their eighth victory of the season when Colourful Emperor (Holy Roman Emperor) claimed the Class 3 Kwoon Chung Intercontinental Limousine Handicap (1200m).
Cruz also figured with Red Hare King (So You Think), who sat three-wide under Matthew Chadwick, but was still too strong in the Class 3 New Lantao Bus Handicap (1650m).
“It was a tough win, but it was a race where everything was ridden upside down,” Chadwick said. “The pace wasn’t fast, to be honest, and he was comfortable and in a smooth rhythm.
“He had consistent form and he was the best horse in the race. Hopefully he gets a kinder run next time.”
Zac Purton’s relentless pursuit of a seventh Hong Kong jockeys’ championship continued with victory aboard the David Hayes-trained Strongest Boy (Spirit Of Boom) in the Class 4 KC Smart Mobility Handicap (1650m). With six minor placings to his credit pre-race, the gelding broke through at his 17th attempt.
Danny Shum and Keagan De Melo combined with Happy Soul (Shooting To Win) to close the meeting in style with victory in the Class 4 Tai Fung Coach Handicap (1200m).