Cody Mo celebrated a breakthrough at Sha Tin today (Saturday, 31 May) as lightweight chance Pray For Mir (115lb) gave the trainer his first Group race win with success in the HK$4.2 million G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m) under Matthew Chadwick.

Mo, 47, is a rising star among the training ranks. Following his 20-win first campaign (2023/24), the handler has excelled in 2024/25 with 38 victories including today’s and, currently boasts a 68-strong stable mixed with fresh talent and seasoned gallopers.

“This is one of my targets for the season, now a dream has come true. I’m so happy – thanks to all my staff and the owners for their support,” said Mo.

Mo, who previously worked with legendary jockey-turned-trainer Tony Cruz, started his journey with The Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1994 as a work rider. Rising up through the local system, he gained experience with David Ferraris and Benno Yung, while with Cruz he campaigned champions Silent Witness and Bullish Luck successfully abroad.

One of three four-year-old horses in the Lion Rock Trophy, Pray For Mir quickly found the front from barrier eight to make the running. Established racers Red Lion (135lb) and Chancheng Glory (131lb) settled behind the leader. Turning for home, Pray For Mir maintained front spot as Chancheng Glory levelled up to him in the home straight.

Chadwick called on his mount at the 250m mark and the 81-rating Pray For Mir extended to victory by half a length over Chancheng Glory with Group 1 winner Beauty Eternal (130lb) filling third. Last start HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) successor Red Lion – who rates 37 points ahead of Pray For Mir in the handicap on 118 – faded to sixth.

“He’s (Pray For Mir) always been very honest, he just gets beat, unfortunately. The weight really helped today. He was left alone and he relaxed really well and when the other one (Chancheng Glory) put it to him, he just kept fighting and his quality just shone through,” Chadwick said.

Consistent all season with one win and five placings, Justify gelding Pray For Mir enhances his earnings to HK$9.43 million from 15 starts in Hong Kong after arriving as a two-time winner in Australia at the Sunshine Coast.

Mo said: “Today (Matthew) Chadwick controlled the pace very well and the horse carried a light weight. At the end of the season, all the horses were maybe a bit tired and I kept him a bit fresh. This horse is a very honest horse. You can see he has so many seconds and only loses by a little bit.

“We (Mo and Chadwick) have very good communication, this season I have been really supporting local jockeys and I’m happy that together we could win a Group 3.” 

Four out of the last five editions of the Lion Rock Trophy have been won by four-year-old horses as Pray For Mir follows Galaxy Patch (2024), Beauty Eternal (2023) and Sky Darci (2021) with success.

Mo and Chadwick have combined for 10 wins in 2024/25. The duo worked closely when Chadwick was apprenticed to Cruz where Mo was a work rider and assistant trainer.

“We go way back when we were both training in Tony’s stable and we’ve come through the ranks together and it’s great to be part of this with him,” Mo said.

Pray For Mir clocked 1m 33.83s (24.61, 23.11, 23.61, 22.50) in victory today at Sha Tin. 

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday (4 June).