Master trainer John Size delivered a timely reminder of enduring skill and patience with a quartet highlighted by the triumphant return of Sky Jewellery and the stunning Hong Kong debut of Nautical Force at Sha Tin on Sunday (19 April), as Zac Purton powered to the 100-win milestone for the tenth consecutive season.

Chasing a 14th trainers’ championship, Size moved to 40 wins for the 2025/26 campaign to trail Caspar Fownes (49), Mark Newnham (48), Danny Shum (46), David Hayes (44) and Francis Lui (42) with 24 meetings left in the season following the victories of Sky Jewellery, Nautical Force, Noble Deluxe and Must Go.

Sky Jewellery (135lb) had not raced since 6 April, 2025 and had been sidelined from racing after bleeding from both nostrils following a barrier trial last November but was superb in clinching the Class 3 Helping Older Adults Age Handicap (1400m) under Hugh Bowman when resuming from a 378-day break.

Despite long absence, the one-time 2026 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) fancy showcased undeniable quality in surging from ninth on the home turn – clocking 22.51s for the final 400m – to clock a slick overall time of 1m 20.92s.

“That’s nice the way, he (Sky Jewellery) returned. That’s the way you’d hope he’d come back. You know, it might be a blessing, all these things are sent for a reason. So hopefully if his health maintains, he can win a few races,” Size said of The Autumn Sun gelding.

“It’s just nice to see them come back and do well. You know, it’s not about my gratification, it’s just about the horses that have a problem and can overcome in some way.

“Now, he still had a pre-existing condition, this doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to be okay forever. I mean, one swallow doesn’t make a spring. So, we’ll be quite mindful that that’s always there.”

Nautical Force (115lb) was no less impressive in producing a phenomenal first-up effort to come from last on the turn to clinch the Class 2 Fostering An Enabling And Inclusive Society Handicap (1800m), clocking 22.46s for the final 400m and earn a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million.

The Ghaiyyath gelding, a dual winner in Ireland for Johnny Murtagh, was the third leg of a treble for Size and Teetan after the pair had also combined with Noble Deluxe and Must Go.

“He’s (Nautical Force) a lovely horse, he’s only a little fella and he’s probably going to improve with racing in Hong Kong. I think for his first day, that was a wonderful effort,” Size said. “The 115lb has helped with that (coming from last) and he’s obviously got plenty of stamina; he’s got the job done well.”

Noble Deluxe (130lb) posted his second course and distance victory by claiming the Class 5 Supporting Sports All Around Handicap (1200, dirt) before Must Go (115lb) struck in the Class 3 Lifting Every Young Life Handicap (1200m, dirt).

Eight-time champion jockey Purton reached a century of winners in a season for the 10th straight campaign and the 11th time overall with Gold Patch’s (122lb) fighting victory in the Class 3 Enabling Professionals To Flourish For Their Charge Handicap (1200m) for Lui.

Purton, 43, first achieved the feat in 2013/14 with 112 victories and has repeated each season since 2016/17 with hauls of 107, 136, 168, 147, 125, 136, a Hong Kong record 179, 130 and 138 in 2024/45 for a career tally of 1,978 in the city.

“It sounds good, doesn’t it? It’s got a nice ring to it and an even number, which is good,” the Australian said. “He’s (Gold Patch) a nice, young, improving horse – he still doesn’t know what he’s doing.

“He overcame a bit of adversity again in the mid-stages and he’s shown a nice ability to quicken. He did a really good job.”

Fownes reclaimed the lead in the trainers’ championship when Target Audience (132lb) led throughout to win the Class 4 Enabling A Sustainable Future Handicap (1200, dirt) when resuming from a 280-day break after overcoming leg injuries.

Absolute Honour broke through at his 18th Hong Kong start for Frankie Lor in the Class 4 Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy Handicap (1600m). A dual winner in Ireland where he raced as Surpass for Aidan O’Brien, the Saxon Warrior gelding was given the run of the race by Purton behind leader Mega Mastermind (130lb) before edging clear late.

Apprentice Britney Wong notched a double aboard Shum’s Foremost Teddy (128lb) in the Class 5 Racing For Charity Handicap (1800m, dirt) and Tony Cruz-trained Parents’ Love (125lb) in the Class 4 Promoting Health For All Handicap (1000m).

“I’m very happy. Today, we started off with a good note. We drew barrier one and back in Class 5, so I knew he (Foremost Teddy) would stand a chance as long as we stuck to the lead. We worked a bit to get to the lead, but he held on very well,” Wong said.

“It didn’t work totally to plan (with Parents’ Love) because we thought we would be positioning a bit more forward but it’s okay because it’s down the straight and we had time to get into it slowly and the horse responded very well. I’m very happy with the results.”

Chris So’s Proud Box (117lb) landed the Class 4 Embracing Success In Its Many Ways Handicap (1400m) under Harry Bentley before Manfred Man’s Blossomy (123lb) sprinted hard late under Andrea Atzeni to clinch the Class 4 Enriching Lives Through Arts And Culture Handicap (1650m, dirt).

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (22 April).