Joyful Hunter and Ensued emerged as potential Four-Year-Old Classic Series contenders with quality performances at Sha Tin on Saturday.
Ensued showcased BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) credentials with victory in the Class 2 Yan Chai Trophy Handicap (2000m) for 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer John Size.
Size, who has won three Hong Kong Derbies, was impressed by Ensued’s latest win – the former British gelding’s third success in Hong Kong.
Joyful Hunter (NZ) (Darci Brahma) charged into Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) calculations with a devastating win under Vincent Ho.
Trainer Francis Lui, who swept the Four-Year-Old Classic Series with Golden Sixty in 2020, said Joyful Hunter had the characteristics to be above average, but he is following a conservative path with the Darci Brahma gelding.
“He looks like a Four-Year-Old (Classic) Series horse but you have to give him time. I think he will be a good horse but you have to be careful,” Lui said.
Last on the home turn, Joyful Hunter scorched across the last 400m in 22.47s.
Lui also declared Golden Sixty to be in good condition. Hong Kong’s champion will chase an 11th Group One win in the HK$13 million Gr.1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on 21 January at Sha Tin, in what shapes as potentially his second last run before retirement.
“He’s doing normal work. We’re happy with him, he galloped on Thursday (21 December),” Lui said. “He’s the same, but actually, I think his condition is a little bit better.”
Fighting Machine (NZ) (War Decree) prevailed in the Class 4 Ivy Handicap (1400m) under Zac Purton, who slotted a double to have 46 wins for the campaign – 15 more than Teetan (31).
Jimmy Ting got his second winner of the season when Luke Ferraris drove The Absolute (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) to victory in the Class 4 Erica Handicap (1400m).
“Every year is tough, and I hope that some of the new horses can run well and we can have better results. Hopefully, the winners can keep coming,” Ting said.
Keith Yeung posted his first victory since 25 October when Jubilation (NZ) (Ghibellines) scored for Chris So in the Class 4 Amaryllis Handicap (2000m).
“The horse is lovely to ride. 2000m is definitely his distance and because we went so slow today, it suited him. He wants the race tempo like this and we gradually improved the pace every section and then he finished off really nicely,” Yeung said. “Having a win is always good for the confidence.”
