Patch Of Stars lived up to expectations in the feature Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap (1200m) and boosted his Four-Year-Old Classic Series prospects with a smart win for Manfred Man and Zac Purton on an eventful day at Sha Tin on Saturday (15 November).

Purton, who bagged a treble to extend his championship lead to 22 wins, spoke cautiously about Patch Of Stars (124lb) drawing a tricky barrier nine in the build-up to the race. But in the event, he was able to manoeuvre the All Too Hard gelding into the box seat before letting down strongly to put away a handy field.

The win sealed a raceday double for Man, after Hollie Doyle had earlier ridden Double Win (119lb) to victory in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Love Is Beauty Collection Handicap (2000m), increasing the veteran conditioner’s seasonal total to 13.

“I think 1200 metres is good for him, because in the Class 3 1400 metres, he was favourite twice and was only second and sixth,” Man said. “Back at 1200 metres, he won a Class 3 and was promoted (to Class 2) today and won again, so I think it’s the best distance for him.”

LONGINES Hong Kong International Races nominees Invincible Shield (132lb) and Aeris Nova (122lb) did their claims no harm with strong finishes to grab second and third place, respectively.

Purton also scored on Pierre Ng’s Supreme Agility (130lb), who broke through at the 24th attempt in Hong Kong in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Heirloom Fortune Collection Handicap (1650m, dirt).

“I remember Zac rode him last season when he was just not mature yet,” Ng said. “Now he’s more straightforward. He’s been very consistent in the last couple of runs. Luckily, the owner had patience, and he got the win today.

“I don’t think he can do it on the turf as well, but the Brazilian (horses) are normally used to both tracks, so I wouldn’t mind. It just depends.”

Australian Racing Hall of Famer Purton completed his hat-trick with victory in the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Night Banquet In Tang Palace Collection Handicap (1600m) aboard the progressive Beauty Bolt (129lb) for Tony Cruz.

Ng’s season hasn’t gone according to plan so far, but the day marked a revival for him as he took home a double to take his tally to six wins.

On The Lash (127lb) held off fast-finishing rivals in the Class 5 Lukfook Jewellery Wedding Collection Handicap (1800m) to deliver Ng’s first victory in four meetings.

The win provided Luke Ferraris with another valuable win in his bid for LONGINES IJC qualification, as he held on by a nose from Richard Kingscote surging late on Cool Blue (121lb).

Kingscote did not have to wait long to open his account for the season. He landed the biggest upset of the day when he got up on David Eustace’s 20/1 shot Loch Tay (125lb) to end his search for a winner at the 105th time of asking in the Class 3 Lukfook Joaillerie Handicap (1650m, dirt).

Salon S (124lb) scored on debut in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Hexicon Handicap (1200m), extending Matthew Poon’s hot run to seven wins from the past seven meetings. Frankie Lor’s Zousain gelding did his racing early to take a healthy lead and was eased down with Mark Newnham’s Super Dragon (122lb) running on for second under James McDonald.

Trainers’ championship-leading Newnham got back to winning ways when Crimson Flash (132lb) took out the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Diabling Shimmering Gold Collection Handicap (1000m).

Following an uncharacteristic four-meeting dry spell, the Australian handler had seen his lead at the top of the standings trimmed before the son of Showtime restored it to five wins over David Hayes.

An eventful Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Miss Hong Kong Love Yourself Collection Handicap (1400m) saw the soon-to-be-crowned 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Jockey, James McDonald, unseated from his mount Aerovolanic (135lb) at the start. Then Cody Mo’s Bucephalas (131lb), whose odds plunged to 7/1 moments before the flag dropped, sliced through the field to claim his first Hong Kong win at his sixth attempt under Matthew Chadwick.

The Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Ccool Collection Handicap (1200m) was voided for safety reasons after jockey Matthew Poon was dislodged from Dreaming Winner. Both the jockey and the horse were unhurt.

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