Capitalising on Storm Rider’s promotion into the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Guangzhou Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Sunday (2 November), Karis Teetan slotted his 300th win at the city circuit to join Zac Purton as the only active jockeys in Hong Kong to achieve the feat.

Storm Rider (118lb) was promoted into the field as a standby declared runner with the withdrawal of Packing Bole, inheriting barrier one – and duly saluted – to continue David Hayes’ golden streak of success.

“You know you’re having a good run when that happens,” said Hayes. “Barriers win races and he drew the beautiful barrier. He’s gone all the way now to the upper class, which is wonderful. When he was second last time by a short head, he probably ran the best sectional of the day.

“I think he’ll be able to hold his spot in the upper class. He’s probably going to be better at 1400 (metres).”

Teetan is the only jockey apart from eight-time Hong Kong champion Zac Purton (713 wins) on the current jockey roster to have 300 Happy Valley wins or more.

“I was lucky to pick up the ride – on his (Storm Rider’s) last run, he was always a good ride in this race with no weight,” Teetan said. “Thanks to David and the owner for giving me the opportunity. He had a good run through from that draw (barrier one) and it’s nice to get 300 wins at Happy Valley – how good.”

Purton maintained a relentless pursuit of a ninth championship with a treble, striking on Ragnarr, Hakka Radiance and Harmony N Blessed.

David Hall-trained Ragnarr (135lb) posted his second win in three starts with success in the Class 5 Dongguan Handicap (1200m) under an outstanding Purton ride.

“Pre-race, we knew we were in trouble with the barrier (10), but he just got into a great spot and showed what a great jockey Zac is,” Hall said. “Ragnarr has been in Class 5 for a while and he’s been a bit unlucky not to win a few previously, so it’s great that things are going his way at the moment.”

Harmony N Blessed slotted his 10th win at his 64th start when the nine-year-old fought tenaciously to land the Class 3 The Kwangtung Handicap Cup Handicap (1000m), leaving Hayes with 15 wins for the season and second in the trainer standings behind Mark Newnham (20).

Purton linked with Danny Shum to clinch the Class 4 Shenzhen Handicap (1800m) with Hakka Radiance (123lb), who made it three wins in a row with an emphatic display. Formerly trained by George Boughey in the United Kingdom where he raced as Tempered Soul, Hakka Radiance had 24 winless starts in Hong Kong before embarking on his current streak.

Shum’s Fantastic Fun (132lb) made it two wins in a row when he edged out Samarkand (133lb) by a short head to snare the Class 4 Huizhou Handicap (1650m) under Hugh Bowman. Formerly trained by Chris Waller in Australia, where he was unbeaten in two starts as Heads You Lose, the Justify gelding swept to the line powerfully from the midfield.

“He was given a free kick last start with an inside draw and a slow pace and he won well,” Bowman said. “Today, he had an awkward barrier and I was able to fluke a really good spot with a genuine spot and he’s got improvement, too. He’s a big, strong horse with the talent to carry a big weight if he has to.”

Hayes and Shum’s doubles were matched by Douglas Whyte, whose strong affinity with Happy Valley continued.

Whyte’s Hong Kong International Sale graduate Dan Attack (117lb) notched his second win under a positive ride from Harry Bentley to land the first section of the Class 4 Foshan Handicap (1200m) before Argento Ocean scored.

“Last run I thought he (Dan Attack) ran very well – he was a victim of circumstances. Today, he had a tricky draw, but Harry Bentley assessed the situation very well and it wasn’t our intention to lead, but he got there comfortably. He dictated the race and the horse kicked on well,” Whyte said.

“He’s just a healthy horse and when a horse is in a purple patch like that, they’ll give their best and that’s exactly what he’s doing.”

Whyte sealed a double with Bowman when Argento Ocean (127lb) flew the start before settling third and emerging late for an easy win in the Class 4 The Hong Kong Country Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m).

“He’s shown us a nice bit of promise, he’s been plagued by awkward draws and he still lacks maturity but he’s got an engine and he’s been developed nicely – he made his own luck today – and I think there’s still improvement to come with him mentally,” Bowman said.

Day Day Victory (119lb) maintained Michael Chang’s productive streak with victory in the Class 4 Shantou Handicap (1000m) for Alexis Badel, who slotted his 11th win of the season.
“It was a good win and I can feel he’s really improved – mentally and physically, he’s stronger – and he got me out of a difficult situation, there was nothing I could do,” Badel said. “I was trapped in the middle of the field and he needed a turn of foot to win the race and he gave it brilliantly.”

Francis Lui’s Brave Star (135lb) returned to form with a vengeance with his sixth course and distance triumph in the Class 3 Zhaoqing Handicap (1200m) under Vincent Ho. Winless in nine starts since posting three successive wins at the start of last season, relished the solid tempo from his inside gate to prevail.

Pierre Ng claimed the Class 3 Zhuhai Handicap (1650m) with I Can (128lb) as Luke Ferraris retained second place on the jockeys’ championship with 12 – 17 behind Purton (29).

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (5 November).