Champion jockey Ryan Moore crowned a short-term Hong Kong riding stint in style at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, departing with a double which propelled John Size to the top of the 2024/25 trainers’ championship.
Moore and Size combined with Golden Rise and Beauty Alliance, leaving Moore with four wins and five placings from 26 rides across a three-meeting cameo, while Size vaulted to the top of the trainers’ standings with 36 wins for the campaign – the same as David Hayes – but with more minor placings.
Having struck with a brace at Happy Valley last Wednesday (February 26), Moore endured a frustrating meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday (March 2) with three minor placings from nine rides but the Englishman rebounded in familiar fashion tonight.
“I’m very grateful to come here and for all the support I’ve had. I’ve had a few disappointments but that’s Hong Kong, but I’m thankful the support I’ve had here and hopefully I can back soon,” Moore said.
“It’s always great to come here and it’s been a good trip.”
Moore and Size struck first with Golden Rise’s narrow win over Prime Mortar in the Class 4 Kwoon Chung Macau Limousine Rental Services Handicap (1200m) before Beauty Alliance’s triumph in the Class 4 Kwoon Chung Inclusive & Accessible Service Handicap (1800m).
Harry Bentley matched British compatriot Moore’s feat with a brace, striking with Excellence Value and Romantic Son.
Bentley’s strength was pivotal to Romantic Son’s success in the Class 3 Kwoon Chung Bus 60th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1200m) as the Hayes-trained gelding emerged with a nose victory over Beauty Infinity to earn a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million.
Mark Newnham’s Excellence Value earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million with victory in the Class 3 Trans-Island Chinalink Handicap (1650m).
Formerly known as Diabelli when trained in Australia by James Cummings, the Fastnet Rock gelding was having only his fourth start in Hong Kong.
“I think barrier one helped him. He had the fence to follow the whole way and it opened up nicely once he turned in (to the straight) and he did the rest,” Newnham said.
“Apart from his first start where he just didn’t really compete at all, each of his runs have been good. He’s a nice, tough, consistent horse and he should have a good future here.”
Newnham boosted his tally of wins for the season to 30 when Alexis Badel drove Spicy Gold to victory in the Class 3 New Lantao Bus Handicap (1200m).
Hugh Bowman also slotted a double with Sky Vino, who won the Class 4 Sichuan Bipenggou Tourist Attractions Handicap (1650m) for Caspar Fownes, and Manfred Man’s Dragon Four Seas, who led all the way to land the Class 4 KC Smart Mobility Handicap (1200m), posting his second win in Hong Kong.
Declan McDonogh notched his first Hong Kong win with Nice Birdie’s success for Danny Shum in the Class 5 Kwoon Chung Motors Handicap (2200m).
The 2006 Irish Champion Flat Jockey, McDonogh was elated to add to a career tally of more than 1,200 winners globally.
“It was great, I had a lovely run around. I never had to spend a penny,” McDonogh said of the Hong Kong International Sale (HKIS) graduate’s run.
“The horse was good and genuine in the finish.
“I had the run of the race. I had momentum turning in and I thought he kicked quite well in the straight and he did well to fight off the horse (Super Hong Kong) on the outside. It’s a pleasure to tick another one off the box and have my first winner in Hong Kong. I’m chuffed about that.”
Angus Chung posted his first win since suffering a facial fracture in a race fall at Sha Tin on February 9 by piloting Jimmy Ting-trained Harmony N Home to victory in the Class 4 Intercontinental Limousine Handicap (1200m).
“It reminded me of how to win a race because the first meeting back (Sunday), I was still a bit nervous and had some memories of the accident,” Chung said.
“Hopefully I can keep this feeling from tonight and keep on going.”
Winner of last season’s Tony Cruz Award as the leading homegrown jockey, Chung partnered Harmony N Home – another HKIS graduate – to his fifth Hong Kong win and his third course and distance triumph.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday.
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