John Size moved to the top of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with a quartet to have 32 wins for the season, level with David Hayes, but with more minor placings.
The master horseman struck with Sky Jewellery, Crossborderpegasus, Juneau Pride and Brilliant Express.
Hugh Bowman notched his 200th Hong Kong winner in style aboard promising three-year-old Sky Jewellery, who surged from second last turn on the home turn to land the Class 4 Citigold Private Client Handicap (1400m) after jumping barrier 13.
“He was obviously unlucky last start and he’s shown a lot of potential. Up in distance today was fine but the barrier, he had to overcome that and he did it in style,” Bowman said.
Size’s push towards the top of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship continued with debutant Crossborderpegasus – a Rich Enuff three-year-old – prevailed under Bowman in the Class 4 Citigold Handicap (1200m), Juneau Pride’s win under Brenton Avdulla in the Class 3 Citi Wealth Advisory Services Handicap (1400m) and Brilliant Express, who was partnered by Alexis Badel in the Class 3 Citi Insurance Services Handicap (1400m).
Badel completed a double when Frankie Lor’s Triumphant More clinched the Class 3 Citi Investment Services Handicap (1200m).
Fresh from a feature double in Australia on Saturday (22 February), Blake Shinn struck aboard Cody Mo’s Magic Control in the Class 2 Citi Private Bank Handicap (1000m), exploding from the tail of the field in a surprising change of racing style.
“That wasn’t the plan to sit back but the speed was fast and he wanted to settle and with the weight (135lb), he needed all the favours and we had a good run and he displayed a great turn of foot,” Shinn said.
Chris So and Keagan De Melo successfully combined with Carryon Smiling in the Class 4 Citi Wealth Handicap (1400m) when the War Decree overcame barrier 11 to salute at 83/1 before Avdulla drove David Eustace-trained Mister Dapper to victory in the Class 4 Citi Ultima Handicap (1600m).
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (26 February) with the finale of the DBS X Manulife Millions Challenge.