Sight Success triumphs in Premier Bowl for Size and Avdulla
Overshadowed by Hong Kong’s sprinting elite for the past two seasons, Australian-bred Sight Success (Magnus) was rewarded for admirable consistency with victory in the Premier Bowl Handicap (Gr 2, 1200m) at Sha Tin yesterday as Brenton Avdulla and John Size combined in spectacular fashion.
A Group 1 runner-up and Group 3 winner, Sight Success slotted his maiden Group 2 triumph in a time of 1:08.27s under an inspired ride by Avdulla, who had snared only one win from 52 rides this season before taking the reins on Sight Success and delivering the seven-year-old’s ninth win of his career.
Sight Success prevailed under a heady display from Avdulla, who first forced 1.4 favourite Lucky Sweynesse (Sweynesse) to cover ground early under Zac Purton before driving late to down the favourite by a short head. Duke Wai (Per Incanto) was third, while Victor The Winner (Toronado) faded to fifth after setting the pace. Adios (Snitzel) filled the fourth position.
“I was able to hold my spot and just force Zac to go on a bit further than he probably wanted to. I just let Zac and Karis do what they wanted to do and I thought the only way I could beat them was late. Full credit to John and his team,” Avdulla said.
“I had a number of frustrating seconds (this season) and lost a little bit of support through the way, but John has always been one who’s thrown me some good rides. You’ve got to make the most of these opportunities and I’m very thankful.”
Second to Wellington (All Too Hard) in the 2022 Hong Kong Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m), Sight Success will be given another tilt at the HK$26 million feature on 10 December after contesting the Jockey Club Sprint (Gr 2, 1200m) at Sha Tin on 19 November.
“These small fields are always a bit tricky but I think he [Avdulla] chose the right option and just followed the two leaders and he got a lovely run into the race,” Size said after Sight Success’ yesterday.
“He’s a very consistent horse, very honest, always puts in a good run and he seems to be able to sustain a long preparation. Last season, he ran very well in the international race and I’m hoping he’ll do the same again.
“He [Avdulla] is a good jockey and when you come to Hong Kong it’s a very tough venue to perform in but now he’s won a nice race like that, and ridden so well in other races, I think he’ll be underway now.”
Size has now won the Premier Bowl four times after previous triumphs with Rich Unicorn (Danehill Dancer) (2011), Mr Stunning (Exceed And Excel) (2017), Hot King Prawn (Denman) (2018) and now Sight Success.
Invincible Sage (Thorum) earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million (approx. AU$303,600) with an eye-catching victory for David Hall in the Class 3 Hong Kong China’s Asian Games Medallists Cup Handicap (1000m) under Hugh Bowman.
“I think there’s more to come with him, he’s a very uncomplicated horse. He has a perfect temperament and racing style for Hong Kong – he’s got a bit to offer. It’s lovely to see him do that, but it comes as no surprise,” Bowman said.
Hall sealed a double with Keagan De Melo when Atullibigeal (Street Boss) landed the Class 2 Equestrian Handicap (1400m). De Melo earlier posted his first Sha Tin win when Rising From Ashes (Shamus Award) gave Francis Lui a double with success in the Class 2 Swimming Handicap (1800m).
Lui and Harry Bentley earlier combined with Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit) to land the Class 4 Golf Handicap (1600m).
Danny Shum is confident Champion Method (I Am Invincible) can continue to progress after the three-year-old’s brave win in the Class 4 Fencing Handicap (1200m) under Andrea Atzeni.
“He’s only a three-year-old but he overcame a lot of challenges – he had 132 pounds, a bad draw (gate 10) and even as he went in front, he was three wide. He’s a nice horse with a big heart,” Shum said.
“He can continue to improve. I don’t need to rush him too much now. I’ve gelded him, so hopefully he will put on more weight and gain strength.”
Gluck Racer (Super One) struck in fine fashion for Cody Mo and Karis Teetan in the Class 5 Contract Bridge Handicap (1400m) before Massive Action (Reliable Man) led all the way for Frankie Lor and Lyle Hewitson in the Class 3 Rugby Sevens Handicap (1400m).
Dennis Yip-trained Telecom Dragon (Derryn) stormed late to clinch the Class 4 Cycling Handicap (1200m) under Bowman before Jerry Chau piloted Fun Together (Rip Van Winkle) to victory in the Class 4 Rowing Handicap (1400m) for Benno Yung.