“It’s been extremely good. I think that’s certainly the dream start – to ride a winner on my first horse but unfortunately, I couldn’t get a second winner,” Dee said, lamenting Sight Hero’s effort to miss by a head after rattling home.
“Couldn’t ask for a better start. That’s what dreams are made of and I was hoping I would come here tonight and for it to be a successful one. Thank you to David Hayes and his team for having me on these horses tonight.
“I’ve obviously watched a lot of races here at Happy Valley. I just think you’ve got to be on your game quite a lot but still ride your race within reason and in a way, still let things unfold.”
Dee prevailed with a typically composed display aboard the previously winless Starry Night, much to the delight of his partner Mikaela Lawrence and Hayes, occupying a forward position just off the speed before driving the gelding to breakthrough success.
“Inside barrier draws help, he jumped really well and we were able to sit in a prominent position and he was strong effort, so it was a great effort by the horse,” Dee said.
Dee, 27, is the first jockey to post a winner at his first Hong Kong ride since Currie’s successful debut atop Miracle Victory – also for Hayes – at Sha Tin on 30 January, 2022.
London Luckystar continued a wonderful transformation by clinching the second section of the Class 4 Hyacinth Handicap (1650m) for Francis Lui and Lyle Hewitson. Winless in 30 starts across his first three seasons, London Luckystar has been a revelation this season since transferring to Lui, winning five of 10 starts and almost HK$3 million in prize money.
Now a seven-year-old, the Holy Roman Emperor gelding started the season on a rating of 24 and will climb to over 50 with his fifth success over the city circuit’s 1650m course.
