A quality Class 3 dash winds up Happy Valley’s eight-race fixture on Wednesday night (9 October), where Super Joy N Fun (NZ) (What’s The Story) and Reward Smile face off again along with 10 others in the HK$1.86 million Pottinger Handicap (1200m).
First and second, respectively, last month over the course and distance, Super Joy N Fun denied a fast-closing Reward Smile by a neck. Aided with gate five that evening, Super Joy N Fun instead steps away from the widest of 12 barriers under jockey Jerry Chau tomorrow night.
“He showed his potential last time. He always runs well fresh and after the race he improved and he’s settled down a bit more. But this time we have the worst draw over 1200 metres at Happy Valley,” Chau said.
“Hopefully, he can find a nice spot with cover and it’ll be good for him to settle and then finish off the race well.”
Super Joy N Fun is one of the brightest talents in Benno Yung’s stable. The 72-rater has won three times from seven starts, racing in the same silks as 2010 G3 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) winner Joy And Fun.
Hugh Bowman is yet to triumph aboard Reward Smile, although under top-weight the pair charged from last into second position behind Super Joy N Fun.
“His first-up run was outstanding and he’s had a nice trial since then. With a bit of luck, if I chose to go out and not in, he might have won first-up,” Bowman said.
Reward Smile is a two-time winner in Hong Kong for trainer John Size.
“He’s drawn wide (10), so we’ll adopt the same tactics again. We’ll let him settle in the second half of the field and try to get a clear passage through,” Bowman said.
Bowman has ridden five winners at Happy Valley this season from 17 rides, striking at 29%. Reward Smile finished midfield in a recent trial at Sha Tin on 27 September.
“My gut feeling is that he’s a horse who likes being a bit on the fresh side. So, I didn’t ask a great deal of him in that trial,” Bowman said.
Scotch Tycoon seeks consecutive wins in the same contest, pairing with Lyle Hewitson as he returns to Class 3.
“It’s been a long time since he’s done anything in Class 3. But he’s been in good form and bouncing off a win, hopefully he can just carry that through to this lighter weight in Class 3,” Hewitson said.
David Hayes saddles Star Contact, also a last-start winner, in the Class 3 Pedder Handicap (1650m). The 78-rating Star Turn gelding pairs with jockey Karis Teetan.
“He’s gone right through the grades and he’s just improved with age. He’s a big, strong horse with a good constitution. I think his trackwork suggests he’s holding his form,” Hayes said.
Hayes has been in fine form this season with seven wins. His earnings of HK$11.1 million are only bettered by Pierre Ng (HK$15.2 million) in the trainers’ standings.