Chung stars with Sha Tin treble
Angus Chung successfully forged new territory on Sunday, posting his first Sha Tin treble crowned by Divano’s (Brave Smash) dominant victory in the Class 1 Healthy Community Handicap (1400m).
After scoring on Tony Cruz pair Parents’ Love (Deep Field) and Gustosisimo (Exceed And Excel), Chung produced a clinical ride on Divano in the afternoon’s feature to down Patch Of Theta (Zoustar) and Taj Dragon (Mehmas) in 1:20.69 after trailing Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Drombeg Banner (Starspangledbanner) in the run.
“I’ve got a treble at Happy Valley before but never Sha Tin – always a double,” Chung, 28, said. “I spoke to Divano’s owner [Chen Chun Man] and the trainer many, many times about this horse [Divano]. I’ve been looking to ride the horse for a while and I’m glad I got the opportunity.
“He could take a sit today [Sunday]. It was the same as the Class 2 [Gustosisimo] with two horses going quick and benefiting me. I could sit behind both times. It’s great to get a chance on good horses. Today is a success.”
By Yarraman Park’s resident stallion, Brave Smash (Tosen Phantom), Divano improved his record to five wins from 14 starts and, with the winner’s purse of HK$2.08 million (approx. AU$426,600) and a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million (approx. AU$205,000), the four-year-old boosted his earnings to HK$10.5 million (approx. AU$2,153,506).
Purchased for AU$90,000 (approx. HK$438,700) at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Divano competed in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series before returning to form with a last-start third over 1400 metres under Ryan Moore on 23 March.
Patiently ridden by Chung, the gelding rewarded reigning Hong Kong champion trainer Lui’s faith.
“I think he keeps improving little by little. He’s more relaxed and once he relaxes, he can have a good turn of foot. In the [Hong Kong] Classic Mile (1600m), I think he learnt from that race,” Lui said.
Last season’s Tony Cruz Award winner as Hong Kong’s leading homegrown jockey, Chung took his seasonal tally to 15 and his Hong Kong career haul to 92 with the success of Parents’ Love and Gustosisimo, who claimed a PP Top-Up Bonus of HK$1.5 million (approx. AU$307,600) with success in the Class 2 Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy Handicap (1200m).
Parents’ Love continued a productive season with his third win of the campaign, striking in the Class 4 JC Echoes Of Love Fund Handicap (1000m). Having his tenth start this preparation, the Deep Field (Northern Meteor) gelding triumphed by a short head over Alsonso (Zoustar).
Lui sealed a double when Winning Wing (Preferment) landed the Class 3 Advancing Culture & Sports Handicap (1800m) with Dylan Mo. A one-time winner in South Australia for Grant Young when he raced as Samid, Winning Wing is the first of Australian Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) victor Preferment’s (Zabeel) progeny to win in Hong Kong.
Chris So reached the 400-win milestone as a trainer with Hong Lok Golf’s success in the Class 3 Sustainability Handicap (1400m) under Harry Bentley and With A Smile’s (Merchant Navy) victory in the Class 4 Thriving Youth Handicap (1400m) for Zac Purton.
“400 wins, it’s good to celebrate,” So said. “12 seasons, 400 wins – not bad.”
Me Tsui also celebrated a brace, striking with Wind Speeder (Written Tycoon) who posted his first win since July, 2022 by leading virtually all of the way in the Class 5 Clap@JC Handicap (1200m) under Keith Yeung and Another Zonda (The Autumn Sun), who gave James Orman his fourth win since moving to Hong Kong in the Class 4 Positive Ageing Handicap (1400m).
Andrea Atzeni notched his 40th winner of the season when Ricky Yiu-trained Ahren (Hellbent) swept to victory in the Class 4 JC Campsite Reimagination Project Handicap (1200m). A three-year-old by Hellbent (I Am Invincible), Ahren jumped smartly from gate 12 and moved into a striking position behind Lean Master (Havana Grey) before surging clear.
“He’s learning so quick and he’s got a good temperament. When we work him in the mornings on his own, he’s very casual. We knew Lean Master would lead and that would make it easier for us,” Yiu said.
Jamie Richards won the opening Griffins race of the season when The All Out (Brutal) fended off Quick Money under Purton to win the Racing For Charity Plate (1000m) by a short-head. By Newgate Farm stallion Brutal (O’Reilly), the gelding provided Richards with his 13th victory of the campaign.
“I would have liked to see him win a little easier, but a win’s a win. He’s got more improvement to come – he’s a big, strong horse and he’ll improve with more racing,” Richards said. “It didn’t go exactly to plan, he got a bit softened up in front and the horse that ran second got an easy time of it and was going to be strong late after trialling well at Conghua earlier in the week.
“But The All Out’s got more scope for improvement yet, so hopefully he can go on with the job.”
Frankie Lor’s Dream Winner (Exosphere) produced an upset victory in the Class 3 Nurturing Talent Handicap (1000m) under Jerry Chau, triumphing at 65/1 in his first win since January, 2023 when he was unbeaten in three starts.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday.