First Hong Kong win for Alfred Chan
Alfred Chan grabbed his first Hong Kong win today, Sunday, 7 April, when the Manfred Man-trained Care Free Prince landed the Class 4 Severn Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin.
The 10lb claimer drove the six-year-old to the lead, set the tempo and kept on rolling to seal a breakthrough victory by a length and a quarter. The Hong Kong local accrued 100 wins during overseas training in New Zealand and Australia but this success was particularly sweet.
“I’m very excited,” Chan said. “It’s my dream to ride at home in Hong Kong and to get my first winner is great.”
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And there was a sense of relief, too. Chan started his Hong Kong career with two second placings – by a neck and half a length – and last Wednesday he failed by the shortest of noses aboard Simply Big for his boss, Frankie Lor.
“There’s a little bit of relief but I’m just loving the challenge,” he said. “Hopefully there’ll be many more to come.”
Chan’s first win came at his 14th ride and his first for Man, who was pleased with the 24-year-old’s contribution.
“I helped the boy get his first winner and I’m happy for him: He did a good job for me!” he said.
Chan, a former schoolboy sailor, added: “I’m very grateful for all of the opportunities that owners and trainers have given me.”