John Size notched his first winner of the season when the 11-time champion trainer’s Sweet Encounter, an unraced Toronado gelding, led all the way to land the first section of the Class 4 Kwong Fuk Handicap (1200m) to provide Alexis Badel with his maiden success of the term.
Tuchel then completed a double for both Size and Purton with a convincing display in the Class 3 Fuk Loi Handicap.
“The race was set up nicely for him, he was able to take advantage of a decent pace and finish the race off as you would probably expect,” Size said of Tuchel before describing Sweet Encounter as “beautiful horse, a lovely mover, he does everything like a quality animal and today he was afforded a very good start, put himself in a good position and he was better than those horses.”
David Hayes hailed Matthew Chadwick’s performance aboard Star Contact to snare the Class 4 Oi Man Handicap (1400m), describing Chadwick’s ride as “one of the best you will see from a wide barrier” as Ricky Yiu continued his excellent start to the season with the surprise success of Joyful Win in the Class 3 Fu Tai Handicap (1000m) under Lyle Hewitson.
Hayes was delighted with Fantastic Treasure’s effort to overhaul talented Ima Single Man in the Class 2 Cheung Hong Handicap (1200m) under Purton to snare his first win since May, 2021.
“It’s great to have Fantastic Treasure back and Zac’s ride was fantastic,” Hayes said after sealing a brace. “I think I’ll keep this horse to sprints now. He’s done a great job to come back from the issues he’s had.”
Good Buddy provided David Hall with his fourth triumph of the season under a clever Luke Ferraris ride in the second section of the Class 4 Kwong Fuk Handicap (1200m) as Vincent Ho drove Looking Great to victory for Frankie Lor in the Class 3 Hing Man Handicap (1600m).
Peter Ho and Derek Leung combined with Woodfire Bro to clinch the Class 4 Shun Lee Handicap (1650m, dirt) before Angus Chung’s 10lb claim proved decisive in Lucky Victor’s tough win in the Class 5 Wah Fu Handicap (1650m, dirt) for Jimmy Ting.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (28 September).