Karis Teetan’s early season hot streak continued at Happy Valley tonight, Wednesday, 18 October. The Mauritian ace logged a treble to take his tally for the term to 15, with only Joao Moreira (22) and Zac Purton (17) ahead of him in the jockeys’ premiership.
“It’s a nice evening! I thought I had a good book of rides and it’s worked out that way,” Teetan said after sealing his three-timer atop the Danny Shum-trained Charity Glory (117lb) in race six, the second section of the Queen’s Road Central Handicap (1200m). It was the gelding’s first Hong Kong win at start 28.
“Last time he was very unlucky not to win, he hung so badly,” the rider said, referencing the chestnut’s lugging second under Matthew Chadwick late last month.
“When the entries came out I didn’t have a ride in the race and I knew the favourite was the horse to beat and this horse should be the second favourite. I thought he could be a good ride,” he added.
The 2.1 favourite, Master Albert (124lb), enjoyed a comfortable sit in fourth and took the lead upon straightening. But when Moreira asked the four-year-old to kick on, the response was limited. Charity Glory, a 4.7 chance, stormed wide from a deep position to flash home a half-length ahead of runner-up Breeders’ Star (130lb) with Master Albert third.
“He’s definitely improved a lot and Danny was very confident, he told me the horse was in good condition. He won nicely,” Teetan said.
The rider opened his account for the night in race two, section one of the Class 4 Jackson Handicap (1200m), when the David Ferraris-trained London Master (6.2) quickened clear for an easy three-length win. In race four, the Class 5 Des Voeux Handicap(1800m), Teetan drove Fruitful Life to a three quarter-length success for trainer Frankie Lor.
“I’ve been here a while now and you get to know the system pretty well,” Teetan said of his sharp start to the season. “The main thing is to work hard and get the connections with the trainers. Once you start getting the winners, they have confidence in you and once you get those nicer rides you have to make sure you produce the winners.”
Fruitful Life (10/1) gave Lor his first Happy Valley victory and the first-season handler made it a double when Who Else But You landed race seven, section one of the Queen’s Road Central Handicap (1200m).
Apprentice Jack Wong took advantage of gate three to gain the lead aboard Who Else But You and kicked on down the final stretch. The 9.7 chance was a length and a quarter clear at the wire.
“Last time, Who Else But You had a few horses in front, he sat behind them and that was the problem, he was scared of the horses beside him and didn’t want to go. This time I told the jockey to just let him go,” Lor said.
Champion trainer John Size’s former assistant has enjoyed a fine start to his training career and this evening’s brace took his tally to 10, placing him equal with Chris So at the top of the trainers’ table.
“The horses are healthy and when they came to me their ratings were not too high, so I have been able to just train them and bring them to the races in good form. I’m a very lucky guy,” Lor said.
Purton also snared a double. The former champion jockey teamed with old ally Dennis Yip to claim the fifth aboard 1.8 favourite Generous Heart, and wrapped up the night with a tight score in the last, the Class 3 Sutherland Handicap (1650m), atop the 4.5 second pick Gonna Run for Caspar Fownes.
The night’s opener went to Nash Rawiller aboard the Peter Ho-trained Our Honour (14/1), while Moreira hit the board in race three, the Class 4 Wayfoong Centenary Bowl Handicap (1650m), in tandem with the Tony Cruz-trained Wah May Baby, the 2.7 jolly.
Hong Kong racing resumes at Sha Tin on Sunday, 22 October when the features will be the G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) and the G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m).
