Reigning champion Size registers significant milestone
TRAINER John Size became just the third trainer ever to prepare 1,100 Hong Kong winners when Five Stars Agent won the opener, the Class 5 Yue Man Handicap (1200m), under Olivier Doleuze.
Within three races, Size had made it 1,101, with Remarkable scoring arguably the night’s most impressive win with Joao Moreira aboard when racing clear for a three-length victory in the Class 4 Wai Yip Handicap (1800m).
“1100 is no different to 1099, I’m still just trying to do the best I can for my stable,” Size said.
The handler trails only John Moore (1,586) and Tony Cruz (1,141) in the list of all-time Hong Kong winners; those three are well clear of Caspar Fownes (779) in fourth.
The night’s feature, at least in terms of grade, was the Class 2 Hoi Yuen Handicap (1200m), taken out by the Fownes-trained Blocker Dee. Five-pound claimer Dylan Mo was in the saddle.
“He won three races last season, including a dead heat in a Class 1, and that meant that his rating got up towards 100,” Fownes said. “The apprentices are going really well, that was a terrific ride from Dylan and I’ve been really happy with him. He was a key factor tonight.”
Racing returns to Sha Tin on Saturday (3 March).