Magic Control (125lb) has established himself as a sprinter on the rise and jockey Matthew Chadwick is eyeing a first Group race success in Hong Kong with the Cody Mo-trained up-and-comer in the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m).
Twice a winner from three starts for Mo, including once over Wunderbar, Magic Control was second behind Beauty Waves (131lb) by half a length in October’s HK$4.2 million Group 3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) – a budding rivalry which renews at Sha Tin on Wednesday afternoon between the improving chestnut speed balls.
“Cody’s got him going really well. He seems to have improved every run,” Chadwick said. “He’s been putting his best foot forward in every single run, beating Wunderbar was probably because it was over our better distance (1000m), but as long as he comes off his last trial similarly, then he should be running a good race again.”
Magic Control was an explosive trial winner on December 17 over 1000m at Sha Tin by nine lengths, clocking 56.78s. The 97-rater won the 2023 Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in Melbourne, Australia pre-import.
“He’s been improving physically and mentally really well. His last trial was his best so far, so if he can improve off that then who knows, let’s see what happens,” Chadwick said.
Hugh Bowman rides Beauty Waves for the first time in a race. He said: “He trialled unreal here the other day on dirt – the first time I’ve been acquainted with him. He won well up the straight here earlier in the season and back to the 1000 metres – he’s got a bit in his favour.”
Wednesday’s 11-race card also features the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m). Bowman rides Beauty Joy (129lb) for trainer Tony Cruz.
“I haven’t won a race on him (Beauty Joy) but I thoroughly enjoy riding him. He’s matured a lot in the last two years that I have been here, but he’s ultra-consistent, he always runs well and he’s got a bit of a weight relief with the stablemate (California Spangle, 135lb) in it, so that helps, too,” Bowman said.
The Class 3 Chuk Yuen Handicap (1600m) sees 14 runners go to post, including five HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series aspirants: Mickley (133lb), My Wish (129lb), Prestige Always (123lb), Steps Ahead (122lb) and Prestige Good (115lb).
My Wish represents Mark Newnham, who has 24 wins this season. A rapidly rising My Wish seeks a third straight triumph when he tackles a mile for the first time.
Raced by the Siu family, Mickley goes for consecutive victories after his breakthrough Hong Kong success last start over this distance. The Soldier’s Call gelding won the 2024 Britannia Stakes Handicap (1600m) at Royal Ascot before import.
Bowman rides Mickley for trainer John Size, and said: “He’s a young horse that’s come here from a successful campaign in Britain. I’ve been impressed by his first two runs and I think it’s realistic to expect an improved performance this time. The pattern of the race will determine where he is in the run and how things go but he’s certainly a nice horse.
“He’s very sensible, he has a good brain, relaxes well, has an excellent turn of foot and he wants to compete – which is a main ingredient.”
Tuesday morning at Sha Tin saw Beauty Eternal, Helios Express and Ensued trial in batch one over 1200m on dirt, finishing third, fourth and eighth, respectively, behind Call Me Gorgeous, who clocked 1m 10.58s in first position.
David Hayes is looking to the HK$13 million Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on January 19 with star sprinter Ka Ying Rising, also indicating March’s HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) is a preferred option over the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on January 31.
“He’s trialling on the sixth (of January) over 1000 (metres) at Conghua. We’re really happy with him, he hasn’t left an oat since the race (Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, 1200m, December 8). We were a bit concerned as it was a very hard run but he didn’t think so,” Hayes said.
“We’re thinking probably not the four-year-old mile, there’s a Group 1 over 1400 (metres) with a bit better spacing, and I think it’ll be a small field compared to a full field in the Classic Mile – we’ll just keep him sprinting.”
Chateauneuf was an unlucky seventh for Hayes last start. He features in the Class 3 Cha Kwo Ling Handicap (1200m) with Karis Teetan up on Wednesday.
“He didn’t get a crack at them at the Valley. He just had no luck, he was desperate to win and desperately unlucky,” Hayes said.
Returning from injury, Vincent Ho rides The Boom Box in the Class 4 Lai Chi Chong Handicap (1200m) for Chris So. The trainer said: “When he first began training, the horse showed his ability, and he’s a big horse with a long stride. We expected in his first start that he should run well – luckily he got the win.”
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