Bidding for a record-extending 13th Hong Kong trainers’ championship, John Size forged to a four-win lead in the 2024/25 standings with a treble at Sha Tin on Saturday (15 March) as the master horseman targets a fourth BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) triumph next weekend.

Size boosted his tally to 42 wins and cemented his place at the top of the trainers’ standings over David Hayes (38) after striking with Crossborderpegasus, Lifeline Express and Juneau Pride – eight days out from saddling Bundle Award, Mickley and Beauty Alliance in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby.

The Australian combined with Crossborderpegasus under Hugh Bowman in the Class 4 Azalea Handicap (1200m) and also scored with Lifeline Express for Andrea Atzeni in the Class 3 Angelonia Handicap (1200m) and Juneau Pride under Brenton Avdulla in the second section of the Class 3 Cosmos Handicap (1400m).

In a familiar scenario, Size’s stable has hit its straps after a sedate opening to the season. In five meetings this month alone, Size has slotted 10 wins, including a treble and three doubles in a powerhouse surge.

Bowman boosted his tally to 48 wins – a haul bettered only by sidelined Zac Purton (84) – with wins on Crossborderpegasus, Sunlight Power for Ricky Yiu in the Class 2 The Kowloon Tong Club Trophy Handicap (1600m) and Monarch County for Caspar Fownes in the Class 4 Hydrangea Handicap (1400m).

“It’s been a good day. I had some nice rides. Take it when you can,” Bowman said before praising Sunlight Power’s effort. “It was a pretty solid speed set up front that suited him and obviously he’s performed well on rain-affected ground before and he just got into a beautiful rhythm and his class shone.”

Bowman was similarly effusive about Crossborderpegasus, a Rich Enuff three-year-old who is undefeated in two starts.

“He (Crossborderpegasus) is an exciting horse, he’s got plenty of points in hand and he does have that tendency to lay in – which he needs to overcome as he goes up in the rating points – but we won’t be too critical of him at his second run in a race,” Bowman said.

Size said: “He’s going well. He’s certainly got a bit of ability and it’s just a matter of developing that. If he can improve on that, it will be promising for his future.”

Having finished second four times narrowly this season – twice by a short head and twice by a head – Lifeline Express improved his overall record to two wins, six seconds and three thirds for prizemoney of HK$4.36 million with a deserved victory.

Relishing rain-affected conditions, Hong Kong International Sale graduate Monarch County claimed his first win at his fifth attempt for Fownes in the Class 4 Hydrangea Handicap (1400m).

Manfred Man claimed a double with Super Strong Kid, who impressed with victory in the Class 4 Chinese Hibiscus Handicap (1000m) under Matthew Chadwick, and Gold Master, who finished powerfully under Atzeni to win the Class 4 The Association Of Hong Kong Racing Journalists Challenge Cup Handicap (1800m).

David Hayes scored with three-year-old World Hero, who broke through at his 10th start under Luke Ferraris in the Class 5 Snapdragon Handicap (1200m) to stay within striking distance of Size in the trainers’ championship.

“He (World Hero) is only three, so I’d expect him to have his better seasons next year and the year after. It just seems like he’s been here a long time as he came here as a two-year-old. Physically, he’ll get better as he matures. I’ve always thought he’s a 1400m (horse) and miler.”

Avdulla strengthened his grip on third place in the jockeys’ championship with 33 wins after a double, having successfully joining forces with Pierre Ng’s Soaring Bronco to land the Class 5 Dahlia Handicap (1600m) before Harry Bentley guided Hong Lok Golf to a brave victory over Size-trained Sky Jewellery in the first section of the Class 3 Cosmos Handicap (1400m).

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (19 March).