Size dominates Sha Tin with a four-timer
John Size’s stable continues to build impressive momentum after the master trainer posted a quartet, crowned by Stellar Express’ (Zoustar) victory in the Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap (1000m), at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Following a double on Wednesday night (11 December), 12-time Hong Kong Champion trainer Size boosted his season’s tally to 11 wins when French import Stellar Express sped to his first victory in Hong Kong as Mickley, Grand Nova (Vancouver) and Beauty Alliance (Starcraft) also triumphed for the Australian maestro.
Jumping from barrier six, Stellar Express found the outside rail under Brenton Avdulla and was never headed, clocking 55.90 to beat I Give (Per Incanto) and James Tak to claim a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million (approx. AU$302,800), plus the winner’s purse of HK$1.59 million (approx. AU$321,000). Favourite Fast Network (Wrote) was slowly away and finished fourth.
“I’ve been a bit slow out of the gate this season because our horses had to have a break, but they’re starting to show some form now. Hopefully, it will continue on,” Size said. “We had to be patient and had to wait for it, but it came.”
Formerly trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Stellar Express won three races in France where he raced as Dariym.
Avdulla said: “He [Stellar Express] was good, he’s obviously been busting to win one. I’d only had two rides on him and he ran well both times but hadn’t been able to get the job done.
“I think the blinkers have really helped, he was able to find the outside fence, controlled the gallop and he was tough. He responded really well.”
Mickley (Soldier’s Call) enhanced Four-Year-Old Classic Series hopes when the Brittania Stakes (1600m) winner charged late along the rails under Hugh Bowman to win the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Dear Q Handicap (1600m) to also earn a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million (approx. AU$302,800).
“It was a nice win. I understand he hunted the rail and didn’t go around a horse, but still he had to find the acceleration and pick up. His manners are good, he seems to have settled in to Hong Kong quite quickly and he should have a bright future,” Size said.
Edging closer to Douglas Whyte’s Hong Kong record of 1,813 wins, Zac Purton notched his 50th victory of the season as a part of double to take his Hong Kong career tally to 1,791 – just 22 wins shy of Whyte’s towering landmark.
“We’re chipping away, hopefully there’s a few more to come. Getting there – slower than I want. I would like to ride a few more winners,” Purton said after striking aboard Frankie Lor’s Triumphant More.
Purton also produced a brilliant, ground-saving ride on Beauty Alliance in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Goldstyle Handicap (1600m) for Size, who earlier combined with James McDonald to land the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Love Is Beauty Collection Handicap (1000m) with Grand Nova.
McDonald snared another double with success on the David Eustace-trained Swift Ascend (Lord Kanaloa) in the Class 3 Lukfook Joaillerie Handicap (1200m).
Alexis Pouchin notched his first winner in Hong Kong when Ricky Yiu-trained Harry’s Hero (Hawkbill) claimed the Class 5 Lukfook Jewellery Wedding Collection Handicap (1400m), scoring the breakthrough victory at his 21st ride.
“It’s my first winner after a few weeks, now I feel better,” Pouchin, speaking through a translator, said. “I really enjoy to catch a winner in Hong Kong. Thank you to the owners and trainers who have given me rides in Hong Kong. I had three seconds and three thirds before, but I won today which is the most important thing.
“The distance was quite good for the horse today and the pace was fast enough so he could travel easily in the race. He was quite a good performance. He had a nice action in the straight. I hope to catch another win with this horse.”
Benno Yung slotted his second win of the season when Tourbillon Prince (Rommel) prevailed in the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Beloved Collection Handicap (1400m) under Luke Ferraris.
“It feels very good. It’s lovely to have another winner because I’ve been waiting for a long time. I feel very good and especially after a winner,” Yung said. “I’m still working from home because I can’t have too much close contact with people yet.”
Fresh from a Happy Valley double on Wednesday (11 December), Andrea Atzeni continued his strong form aboard Manythanks Forever (Star Witness) for Chris So in the Class 5 Lukfook Jewellery Hexicon Handicap (1400m) before Ben Thompson piloted Michael Chang’s New Future Folks (Savabeel) to victory in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Heirloom Fortune Collection Handicap (1400m).
“He had been knocking on the door – it can sometimes be the hardest race to win, the maiden,” Thompson said. “So, it was nice to get that out of the way. The support has been great, particularly from Michael Chang and Mr and Mrs So. We’ve linked together well.”
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Wednesday.