Riding high after a monumental success in South Korea on Sunday afternoon (7 September), Jerry Chau returns to Hong Kong racing on Wednesday (10 September) at Happy Valley aiming to kick on with the same momentum which resulted in an unlikely G3 Korea Sprint (1200m, sand) triumph on Self Improvement.

“It is a very good racecourse (Seoul). It has a very big grandstand with lots of people and they’re cheering. They were very excited and to be there was my honour. It’s my first overseas Group race winner, I hope there can be more soon. It’s a very good memory,” Chau said.

“It was a pretty good win for me representing Hong Kong. I’m very happy. I think he’s very lucky because it was raining, it kept raining until the race started, so the track condition was good. I think the surface with rain was more suitable for Hong Kong’s horses because it becomes more similar to Hong Kong.”

Chau, 25, who skilfully avoided much of the sand course’s harsh kickback aboard Self Improvement on his way to Korea Sprint victory over Japan’s Chikappa, is booked for five rides at the city circuit, including Embraces (135lb) in the Class 3 Central Handicap (1650m) for trainer Cody Mo.    

“Hopefully the outside draw (10) will help Embraces because he always comes from behind. He’s in good form, in good shape and I think he will run good,” Chau said.

Happy Valley’s opening meeting of the season marks the start of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, worth HK$1.5 million, which runs from tomorrow night until 4 February, 2026. The competition is for horses racing in Class 3 and above, with points awarded for first, second, third and fourth place finishes.

Success first-up at Happy Valley for Embraces will secure 15 points in the challenge. Second receives six points, third gets four, while fourth place secures three points. David Hayes’ Soleil Fighter won the 2024/25 edition with an unmatched 65 points accrued, featuring three wins, for owner Sze-To Kin Sun.

Chau also partners Flying Wrote in the Class 4 Quarry Bay Handicap (1200m) for trainer Tony Cruz.

“Last season he ran a good race on the final day (when third). I’ve trialled him this season and he was still a little bit heavy in that trial, but after that he will improve,” Chau said.

Chasing a hat-trick, four-year-old Wrote A New Page (120lb) steps away from draw seven for trainer Danny Shum and jockey Harry Bentley in the Central Handicap. The bay has been gelded between seasons.

“He finished the season in really good form and it’s great to get back on board and see how he goes. Danny’s certainly good for getting his horses fit at the beginning of the season. I don’t expect this horse to be any different. I sat on him the other morning and he felt really good. He was moving very, very nicely and all is good,” Bentley said. “There was no point keeping him as an entire. It probably just gets his mind focused on the job that bit more, which is going to do no harm.”

Regal Gem (125lb) found his winning groove with success in the final race of last season. Derek Leung is hunting consecutive wins with Frankie Lor’s charge when the British-bred three-year-old features in the Class 3 Wan Chai Handicap (1200m).

“He needed time to acclimatise to Hong Kong. He was squeezed a little at the beginning, so we were a little bit further back than we wanted. The tempo was fast, so it was suitable for him and he ran home strong (last start). I galloped him a couple of days ago and he’s holding his form,” Leung said.

In preparation for his shot at Japan’s G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama on 28 September, Lucky Sweynesse finished second to Ka Ying Rising in Sunday’s HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) with Leung. 

“We are very happy. The stable did a very good job and his action was good. His fitness is getting better and better. He’s still not 100 percent fit. It’s step-by-step, he’s older, so he needs a few runs to get his routine back. He’s pulled up good and his movement was good,” Leung said.

Trainer Michael Chang fired out of the gates last Sunday by winning the campaign’s first two races at Sha Tin with You’remyeverything and Perfect Peach. Karis Teetan unites with the in-form handler when last-start winner Sovereign Fund (127lb) returns in the Wan Chai Handicap.

“Michael has had a great start already. So, it’s nice to have a couple of rides for him. Sovereign Fund did well last season, he finished the season really strong. He had a nice trial recently against a few strong horses. That was just a piece of work to make him come on for his races, but overall, we’re happy with his progression and happy with his form. I’m looking forward to riding him now,” Teetan said.

Wednesday’s (10 September) eight-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 7.05pm with the Class 5 Admiralty Handicap (1200m).