Preparing to contest the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (LONGINES IJC) next month, Hollie Doyle opened her latest Hong Kong stint in perfect fashion at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (5 November), striking in tandem with familiar ally Run Run Smart (122lb) in the Class 4 Japan Racing Association Trophy Handicap (1200m).

By guiding Run Run Smart to his first win in Hong Kong, Doyle achieved a unique double, having also ridden the Dandy Man gelding to his first win in Great Britain where he triumphed as a two-year-old at Chester for Adrian Keatley before transferring to Frankie Lor’s yard.

“Obviously, he jumped really clean – jumped really well – and had the gate speed he showed last time over 1400 (metres). Back down to the 1200 (metres) on the sharp track, I just made use of him but I was going a bit too quick, to be honest,” Doyle said.

“I managed to get a little breather into him and he went again and managed to get his head in front. I’m pretty lucky to have had the opportunity to ride a horse like this with a good chance – I don’t take it for granted. I just want to ride winners.”

Doyle, 29, has been granted a short-term licence until 23 December and has been named in the LONGINES IJC on 10 December along with Ryan Moore (subject to fitness), Zac Purton, Mickael Barzalona, Joao Moreira, Christophe Lemaire, James McDonald, William Buick, Rachel King and Umberto Rispoli.

Lor’s Regal Gem (135lb) extended his lead in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge with victory in the Class 3 Nakayama Handicap (1200m), taking his points tally to 36 points.

Providing a double for both Frankie Lor and jockey Derek Leung, three-year-old Regal Gem earned promotion to Class 2 with another impressive performance for his owner, the Everest Syndicate.

Brett Crawford notched his first winner at Happy Valley when Jerry Chau drove Speedy Smartie (133lb) to victory in the Class 5 Niigata Handicap (1000m) – three days after finishing second over 1200m at the city circuit on Sunday (2 November).

With two wins and two seconds from only four starts since joining Crawford’s stable, the tough Satono Aladdin gelding has quickly become a flagbearer for the former South African handler.

“Full credit to the horse, on Sunday when he got back to the yard he was taking everything in his stride. He ate really well and on Tuesday (4 November) he really came out of the race in good order,” Crawford said. “It was a really gutsy win tonight from a deep draw (barrier nine) and Jerry gave him a great ride.

“His form has been absolutely amazing since the start of the season. He’s holding the yard up at the moment – we need the rest of the crew to pull finger and help him along.” 

Hong Kong International Sale graduate Corleone (130lb) completed a successful return to racing with a convincing win in the first section of the Class 4 Tokyo Handicap (1650m) under Hugh Bowman (130lb).

Off the scene since January, the Dundeel gelding was too strong for Stormi (121lb) and Absolute Awakened (129lb) before Cody Mo’s Fortunate Son (128lb) prevailed in the second section of the Class 4 Tokyo Handicap for Derek Leung.

Zac Purton cruised to the 30-win milestone for the season with a precise ride on Tourbillon Golfer (132lb) in the third section of the Class 4 Kyoto Handicap (1200m), drawing the praise of trainer Ricky Yiu.

“It was a very good ride by Zac,” Yiu said after the Cosmic Force gelding broke through at his fifth attempt.

Yui celebrated a double when Luke Ferraris delivered Charming Babe (135lb) with a well-timed finish to land the second section of the Class 4 Kyoto Handicap (1200m), while Purton also snared a brace after leading throughout on Francis Lui’s Uranus Star (121lb) in the Class 3 Hanshin Handicap (1650m).

A son of Brazen Beau, Uranus Star earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million.

Karis Teetan piloted Super Hong Kong (116lb) to his first victory since July, 2023 with success in the Class 5 Chukyo Handicap (2200m). The Mauritian drove the eight-year-old to the front 1000m from home and he was never headed, cruising to a three-and-a-half length victory for Dennis Yip.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (9 November) with Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day and the running of the HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m).