David Hayes was forced to share victory in last year’s DBS x Manulife Million Challenge but tonight (Wednesday, 26 February) the Australian trainer stood alone as Soleil Fighter carried off with the Class 3 Tsui Man Handicap (1650m) under Ryan Moore.

Heading into the evening on an unmatched 50 points, Soleil Fighter clung on as the market’s dominant 1.4 favourite in the third race thanks to Moore’s urgings, sealing a HK$1 million bonus for connections and the 2024/25 series victory with 65 points.

Decided on a format of 15 points for a win, six for second, four for third and three for fourth in Class 3 races at Happy Valley from 25 September, 2024 until tonight, the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge rewards sustained excellence at the city circuit, also offering HK$350,000 to second (Aurora Lady) and HK$150,000 for finishing third (Red Elegance) in the competition.

The 2023/24 DBS x Manulife Million Challenge was won by Hayes’ Tomodachi Kokoroe and Danny Shum’s Copartner Ambition. Soleil Fighter is owned by Sze-To Kin Sun. The horse has won three times this season and placed four times. 

“It’s so nice for the owner because the colours get put on the racebook for most of the season and the bonus is lovely,” Hayes said. “The owner has been terrific because he had a setback when he arrived.”

Triumph closed a big stretch for Hayes, who last Sunday (23 February) won the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) with Ka Ying Rising before Rubylot and Mondial contest Sunday’s (2 March) HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).

“Ryan thought he (Soleil Fighter) got to the front a little bit early and he switched off. It looked like they were coming at him, but he said he had plenty more in hand,” Hayes said. “I don’t think he’s ended his journey, but probably now that I’ve backed him up, you won’t see him for five or six weeks. I’m dying to get him to Sha Tin, but he started winning the challenge. I think he’ll be good or better at Sha Tin.”

Moore said: “He did it nicely. He’s obviously been in great form and he was a nice ride to pick up. I’m fortunate to ride him.”

Aurora Lady’s victory in the Class 3 Sing Woo Handicap (1200m) vaulted Pierre Ng’s horse into second spot in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge on 51 points. Red Elegance’s success in the Class 3 King Kwong Handicap (1000m) earned 15 points to leapfrog Gustosisimo (42 points) and I Can (42) for third with 48 points.

Moore logged a double as Moments In Time (129lb) led a Danny Shum one-two over Helene Feeling (129lb) in the HK$4.075 million Class 1 Shan Kwong Road Handicap (1650m). From gate three, Moments In Time circled rivals to prevail by a short head.

Australian jockey James Orman posted his first Hong Kong win aboard Charming Babe for trainer Ricky Yiu in the second section of the Class 4 Wang Tak Handicap (1200m).

“Big, big thrill. I am pleased to get one early, and hopefully it’s a fruitful next few weeks. The barrier (11) worried me a little bit but I was able to get a nice run in behind the speed with cover and he was too good,” Orman said.

Son Pak Fu (119lb) recorded his biggest Hong Kong win for trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Matthew Chadwick in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 Blue Pool Handicap (1200m).

The Fighting Sun gelding hadn’t triumphed since late 2023, but dug deep for a seventh course and distance score over Copartner Prance (131lb) and Brave Star (116lb) after breaking from barrier three in the five-runner opening contest.

“It was very gutsy. I felt I had the run on the rail, I just had to switch out and I could see Ryan (Moore on Copartner Prance) coming in a bit faster than I expected.

“When I called out, he straightened his horse back up, so if I had of stuck to the rail, I would have been ok. When he got between them, he really put his ears back and fought on really well – credit to the horse,” Chadwick said.

Cruz recorded a race-to-race double as Serangoon ran away with the Class 4 Yuk Sau Handicap (2200m) under Harry Bentley. Tonight’s double is Cruz’s third this month.  

Street Boss gelding Sturdy Ruby rolled to a second win in the Class 4 Yik Yam Handicap (1650m) under Luke Ferraris for trainer Manfred Man. Super Sixty ended a frustrating stretch of near misses with success in first section of the Class 4 Wang Tak Handicap (1200m) for jockey Alexis Badel and trainer Caspar Fownes.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin this Sunday (2 March) with the running of the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).