In the midst of a stunning season, Danny Shum set the tone for another potentially momentous weekend – highlighted by a dual tilt at the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin and Victor The Winner’s G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) bid in Tokyo on Sunday (24 March) – with Sports Legend’s blistering win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (20 March).
Aiming to add to the season’s bulging haul of Group 1 features – Romantic Warrior’s triumphs in the W. S. Cox Plate (2040m), LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and Victor The Winner’s Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) – Shum’s Derby hopes rest with Chill Chibi and Helene Feeling.
“It’s a busy week,” Shum said. “No doubt (it’s a big weekend). I’ll just focus on the races. “He (Sports Legend) got a good draw (barrier three) and he had the benefit of Angus’ five-pound claim, so everything worked out. The owner gave me the mission to win a (PP) bonus (of HK$1.5 million) in Class 3, so this win gives me confidence to win in Class 3.”
By Deep Field, Sports Legend won twice in Sydney when trained by Les Bridge before export to Hong Kong. Chung continued an excellent season by sealing a double aboard Tony Cruz’s Colourful Emperor in the Class 3 Tin Lok Handicap (1200m).
Chung’s brace elevated the apprentice into fourth place in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 34 wins behind Zac Purton (80), Karis Teetan (54) and Hugh Bowman (41).