After lighting up Happy Valley with a treble on Wednesday night (16 February), trainer Ricky Yiu is quickly turning his attention to Group 1 glory with Mighty Giant in Sunday’s (20 February) HKD$12 million Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin.

Third in this race last year to Waikuku, Mighty Giant returns second-up this season following an extended break after finishing a distant last in September’s Group 3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m), where he was found to have bled post-race.

But Yiu – Hong Kong’s champion trainer in 2019/20 – believes an extended stint at Conghua has the hulking chestnut primed to bounce back this weekend.

“He’s really good, he bled last start, but I must say, I am very happy with him – especially since he has been at Conghua,” Yiu said.

A winner of seven races in Hong Kong, the Power gelding stunned four rivals at Sha Tin in April of last year – his most recent win and biggest to date – when leading from the get-go under an inspired ride from Neil Callan to savour victory in the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) against Southern Legend, More Than This, Champion’s Way and Waikuku.

In preparation for his return, Yiu’s charge has had two trials on the Conghua turf, crossing the post first in his latest effort over 1200m in 1m 12.15s (25.3, 22.7, 24.1).

“He’s trialled twice since his last run and we’ve scoped him which has come back clean, he looks well and he returns fresh – he’ll run a good race,” Yiu said.

Across his 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns, Mighty Giant enjoyed a meteoric rise which featured five consecutive wins – twice scoring at Class 2 level.

“He looks promising off the trials, a lot of horses go to Conghua and they freshen up, they enjoy the tracks – he’s refreshed and 1400 (metres) is his best trip,” Yiu said.

Derek Leung takes the reins this weekend and the pair step away from gate five against Waikuku, Ka Ying Star, Sky Field, Wellington, Healthy Happy, Lucky Express and Californiadeepshot.

“He’s trialled well, I’m looking forward to seeing him run this Sunday – all the feedback from Conghua is good – it’s positive,” Yiu said.

Yiu holds concerns about Mighty Giant at the beginning of his races – an occasionally slow starter who generally does his best work at the head of the field.

“Sometimes he can be a bit slow at the start, so he does need a jockey that knows him – that can be even better for him because if you ask him to chase (early on) he won’t finish off the race,” Yiu outlined.

The six-year-old New Zealand-bred – who tips the scales at around 1200-plus pounds – has banked HKD$10.52 million for connections in Hong Kong.

“We’re looking forward to it (the race). Derek is a bigger rider, so he’ll be able to stretch himself because this horse is a big horse,” Yiu said.

Equipped with six rides at Sha Tin on Sunday (28 November), Lyle Hewitson is eager make a swift impression on his return to Hong Kong racing ahead of the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 8 December.

Hewitson, 24, last competed in Hong Kong in the 2019/20 season, riding three winners before travelling to Japan, where he crowned a two-month stint with two Group 2 triumphs aboard Galore Creek and Authority.

An imposing tally of 263 winners back in his native country provided Hewitson with a third South African champion jockey title in 2020/21 and now, having completed hotel quarantine, the latest addition to Hong Kong’s riding ranks is keen to impact as soon as possible.

Hewitson rides for six different stables on Sunday – Aquila (Tony Millard), Handsome Rebel (Me Tsui), High Rise Soldier (Francis Lui), Faster (Douglas Whyte), Perfect To Great (Caspar Fownes) and Green Laser (David Ferraris).

“I’m really excited, obviously I’ve come here with a knowledge of the racing, this time around,” Hewitson said. “Also, I feel personally that I’ve improved and matured and that’s going to stand me in good stead going forward.

“I come with a lot more confidence, a lot more experience and I’m really looking forward to changing things up and going well this time.

“It might be a cliché but they say that you learn more from failure than you do from your success. I’m not saying my first time here was a failure but it was the first time in my career that I haven’t done extremely well.

“My whole career has been really free-flowing and flying and it (his first Hong Kong stint) almost made me take a step back and realise there was so much room for improvement and there was so much I could learn and so there’s a lot that I took out of last time – mentally and physical – that I can bring to the table this time.

“There was a gap in the market with a few guys suspended, so I put myself out there and went around asking for rides and it’s great that I’ve got some support – I’m pretty happy with that.”

Beyond Sunday, Hewitson is bristling at the chance to test his skills against 11 elite riders, including Ryan Moore, Zac Purton, James McDonald, Joao Moreira and Mickael Barzalona, in the IJC.

“It’s such a prestigious event. The Hong Kong Jockey Club raises the bar when they put together these types of events and it’s fantastic to be part of it – it’s where I should be and where I want to be and hopefully it sets the tone for the rest of the season,” he said.

John Size has three runners in the Class 1 Chevalier Cup Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday – Lucky Express, Excellent Proposal and Silver Express – and Zac Purton hopes last-start winner Lucky Express can continue to develop.

“He’s a relatively lightly-raced horse, he had his four-year-old campaign geared towards the Hong Kong Derby and now he seems to have come back as a little bit more of a mature horse and settled into the environment,” Purton said.

“These horses can quite often improve a lot from their four to five-year-old years, he ran well first-up and he gets his chance to go and do it again up to the mile.”

Lucky Express jumps from barrier seven, Moreira and Excellent Proposal have drawn gate two while Silver Express has the inside alley for Vagner Borges.

Size was pleased with Hong Kong Classic Mile winner Excellent Proposal’s performance first-up.

“It seems like a sound run, he had no advantage in the race the way it was run but he seemed to make a good run and he sustained it, so I think coming up to the 1600 (metres) he might go a little bit better,” Size said.

“It was a good performance but that was the position he was in and that’s how the race was run, so he did well under those circumstances.”

Both Lucky Express and Excellent Proposal are on trial for the Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 12 December.

“They’re in the race and I’ve got no intention of taking them out, so as long as they run well and I’m happy with them I think they’ll both start,” Size said.

Purton partners My Sugar, who bids for a fourth consecutive win, from barrier one for Jimmy Ting in the Class 2 Chevalier Property Investment Handicap (1400m).

“He’s a very honest horse, he always puts in. We’ve come up with a good gate, he seems fit and healthy, I’m looking forward to riding him again,” Purton said.

“He’s continually raised the bar, from start to start. We’ll get him out and get him into a rhythm.”

Leading the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 40 wins, 10 clear of arch-rival Moreira, Purton hopes to have another fruitful day in the saddle.

“It’s nice to be riding a few winners again. I had that suspension and then a little bit of a rough month with suspensions. They were making it a little bit hard but anytime you go to the races and ride a multiple number of winners is good and hopefully I can keep that going,” he said.

The Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) next month remains an option for Lucky Express after the gifted gelding showcased undoubted talent with a brilliant victory in the Class 1 Panasonic Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Saturday (13 November).

Ridden by Zac Purton, John Size’s galloper improved his overall Hong Kong record to two wins and seven minor placings from 14 starts after developing a reputation for waywardness under pressure last season.

Providing master trainer Size with his fifth success in the Panasonic Cup, the Australian-bred son of Toronado gave Purton his first victory in the race after a masterful ride by the four-time Hong Kong champion jockey.

“Barrier one was great and he was able to jump out well. He showed some natural speed today. The pace was nice and he just tracked up behind them and he just needed a run at the right time,” Purton said.

“Luckily there was room on the fence. He sprinted through really quickly like he would win by two or three lengths but when he got there, as we’ve seen before, he still doesn’t quite know how to put them away and lifted his head up and wanted to drift out.

“He did enough. Good effort first-up.”

Lucky Express prevailed in the HKD$3.15 million feature by a head over Fast Most Furious with Highland Fortune a further neck away in third place.

Size indicated he would fully analyse Lucky Express’ performance before deciding if he would tackle the Hong Kong Mile on Sunday, 12 December at Sha Tin.

“I haven’t even seen a replay yet, just let me absorb that and then we’ll make a plan,” he said.

“It was a good run, he trialled up very nicely and he came back from his long break in very good condition.

“He showed straight away that he wanted to win a race the first day we trialled him. It’s a tough campaign the four-year-olds do but mostly they come back and they get their rewards as five-year-olds.”

Size previously won the Panasonic Cup with Electronic Unicorn (2001), Gem Of India (2005), Real Specialist (2012) and Western Express (2017).

Formerly known as Prince Of Sussex in Australia, where he twice won impressively as a two-year-old for Matt Laurie, Lucky Express had previously been partnered in Hong Kong by Joao Moreira, Karis Teetan, Vincent Ho, Antoine Hamelin and Vagner Borges.

The disappointment of the race was the performance of +100 favourite Fantastic Treasure, who finished ninth after over-racing early before looming wide on the course.

Lucky Express’ success capped another productive meeting for Size, who earlier unveiled another promising talent, Pins Prince, who triumphed in the Class 4 Panasonic Japan Made System Kitchen Handicap (1200m) under Joao Moreira, who finished the day with a treble.

By Pins, the four-year-old sat third on the fence before overhauling Smart Wongchoy and Jerry Chau late.
“It was a nice effort for a first starter. I mean he had a good gate and he got a very good ride – Joao managed him very well – but it’s always nice when you ask them to go, lengthen and produce it, so there’s a bit of encouragement in that.”

Moreira’s treble moves him to 26 wins this term, six behind championship-leading jockey Zac Purton whose single enhances his haul to 32.

Tony Cruz is considering a tilt at the Hong Kong Classic Mile – the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series – in January with The Golden Scenery after the Deep Field gelding’s win under Karis Teetan in the Class 3 Panasonic 6-Door Refrigerator Handicap (1200m).

“He’s a small horse but he’s got a big heart. He’s always been trying very hard,” Cruz said.

“We’ll step back up in trip later on, I’m going to give him one more run at 1200 metres and then I’ll see from there.

“He’s like Ima Single Man – 1400 metres will probably be the perfect distance for him. If everything goes right, we will try to stretch him but all these Deep Fields are only sprinters, I don’t think they get a mile – we will step him up to 1400 later and then we will see.”

Cruz closed the meeting with a race-to-race double as Moreira slotted his treble with victory atop Master Hero in the Class 3 Panasonic Thermo Ventilator Handicap (1400m).

Tony Millard celebrated his 60th birthday in style when Ultra Express cruised to victory in the Class 3 Panasonic Futon Dryer Handicap (1650m, dirt) for Moreira.

“He’s a nice horse and it’s great to win on a day when the favourites have been getting beaten,” Millard, a dual Hong Kong Derby-winning trainer, said. “He’s by Power and they seem to like the dirt.

“He did a good job today and Joao rode him well.”

Me Tsui praised Vincent Ho’s patience after Best For You stormed from last-to-first in the Class 4 Panasonic Nanoe Hair Dryer Handicap (1400m).

“It was a very good ride from Vincent,” Tsui said after posting his fifth win of the campaign. “I was a little surprised with the win but his trial was good. Vincent was very patient and that was the difference today.”

A son of Not A Single Doubt, Best For You has now won three times on Sha Tin’s seven-furlong course.

David Hall’s Eight Trigrams upstaged short-priced favourite Vento to win the Class 4 Panasonic Inverter Window Air-Conditioner Handicap (1000m) under Dylan Mo.

“He’s a good, solid sprinter and he was given a good ride,” Hall said.

Dennis Yip and Alfred Chan combined with Solar Power in the Class 4 Panasonic IH Warm Jar Handicap (1650m, dirt).

A late decision to enter Victorious Seeker in the Class 4 Panasonic Oled TV Handicap (2000m) paid off for Paul O’Sullivan when the Sebring gelding proved too strong for 10 rivals under Derek Leung.

“We are getting him ready for a race at Happy Valley in a couple of weeks, so to win today is a bonus,” the New Zealander said, savouring his stable‘s second win of the season.

Benno Yung was elated with Incredible’s effort to land the Class 5 Panasonic Steam Oven Handicap (1800m) under Keith Yeung, who drove the Orpen gelding to the lead and cleared out to a clear-cut win, justifying solid market support despite being unplaced in his previous 12 starts.

“I’m very pleased with that,” Yung said. “The horse did a very good job.”

Pursuing a record-breaking 12th trainers’ championship, John Size heads into Wednesday’s (10 November) cracking Class 2 High West Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley double-handed with Sight Success and Drops Of God – a pair of last-start winners aiming to sustain their handler’s solid run of recent form.

Size has four wins from the last three race meetings, including a double last weekend thanks to Fantastic Way and Master Delight, narrowly missing out on a treble or possibly a four-timer if not for the near misses of Diamond Star and Blaze Warrior.

Saddling seven chances at tonight’s fixture – including his talented duo in the HKD$2.4 million feature – Size’s groundwork for typically his yard’s best stretch of each season appears well under way with a further 11 entered for Saturday’s (13 November) fixture at Sha Tin, including Excellent Proposal, Lucky Express and Silver Express.

Across the past five seasons, Size has averaged 8.6 wins in November, eight in December, 13 in January and 9.4 through February – a sizzling mid-section of the season when his stable tends to flourish; he’s also amassed 17 wins in a single month twice – his all-time high – doing so in successive Januarys (2018 and 2019).

Sight Success and Drops Of God spearhead the 11-time champion’s hand at the Valley and his firm grip on the HKD$2.4 million feature. Sight Success led and won convincingly over 1000m at Happy Valley last start under Vagner Borges, who again hops in the plate.

“He appreciated that (the drop in distance), he raced really well, he showed good speed – he had all the advantages, I suppose, with the rail and he got around there ok – he finished the race off quite well, I thought,” Size said.

The Magnus gelding breaks from gate two under the Brazilian rider, assigned 124lb for the contest in a bid for consecutive Class 2 wins.

“I don’t think that will worry him (stepping back up to 1200m), he’s won a few over that distance and to go back to it is no concern, he seems to be pretty straightforward, there’s nothing holding him back, so I expect him to run well again,” Size said.

“He doesn’t have to lead, we can follow the speed if they go quite fast, I think he’ll be fine,” he added.

A three-time winner from six starts, Drops Of God will test his mettle in Class 2 for the first time as an 81-rater at present, linking again with champion jockey Joao Moreira. It will be the chestnut’s first start at Happy Valley after exclusively racing at Sha Tin.

“I was struggling to find a suitable race for him at Sha Tin and he’s a horse that can sit on the speed, so I think he’ll get around the track also,” Size said. “We were just waiting for a race to come up for him that was suitable and I think this one should be ok for him.”

“He doesn’t have much luck with the draws but so far he’s been able to overcome them and whether he can do that at Happy Valley that’s another issue,”

Against Size’s duo are seven others, Sparkling Dragon (125lb), Ka Ying Master (120lb), Igniting (118lb), Shining Gem (117lb), Flying Bonus (116lb), Transcendent (116lb) and Winning Method (115lb).

Also on the card, Size saddles Wild West Wing, Touch Faith, Scores Of Fun and Special M, as well as Leap Of Faith in the Class 3 Mount Davis Handicap (1800m).

Zac Purton will ride Leap Of Faith who returns to the course and distance for the first time since his three-length demolition at his final outing of last season.

From 187 pairings in total, Purton and Size have 39 wins together in Hong Kong at a strike rate of 20.85% – interestingly, through the 2014/15 season they combined only three times but for two wins which included BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) glory with Luger.

John Size has 1,337 wins in Hong Kong and he holds the record for the most wins in a single season, notching 94 through his championship term of 2016/17.

The 2021 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) barrier draw was conducted at Sha Tin Racecourse yesterday (Thursday, 18 March) and trainer John Size indicated his approval with where his trio – Excellent Proposal, Lucky Express and Silver Express – will jump from in Hong Kong’s most prestigious and sought-after race at Sha Tin this Sunday (21 March).

Chasing his fourth win in the HK$24 million contest, Size, an 11-time champion trainer in Hong Kong, doesn’t envisage any changes to the tactics regarding his three following the barrier draw.

Excellent Proposal, the Hong Kong Classic Mile winner, will set off from gate eight in his bid to book-end the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

“It’s the middle of the field but I think from there he’ll probably go back to his normal position, which is worse than midfield – hopefully he can get closer to the inside from there and he should get a reasonable run from that draw,” Size said.

The gifted chestnut is a four-time winner in his new home after arriving from Australia in February last year, and his most recent run returned a close-up fourth in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) behind Healthy Happy who dictated proceedings from the front.

“He seems in pretty good shape, he’s done pretty well at home, he’s sound, he’s healthy and his trial was quite normal for him – he looked good, so I think he’s in good shape,” Size said.

Blake Shinn who partnered the Exceed And Excel gelding to victory in the Hong Kong Classic Mile is again in the plate this weekend.

“I’m pretty comfortable with barrier eight, it’s a middle of the line draw, he’ll have all the main chances around us – I’m happy,” Shinn said.

Size’s previous three wins in the race came with Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018), all exactly three years apart.

“He’s (Excellent Proposal) by Exceed And Excel so he wouldn’t normally be a horse that you would pick to be a stayer but this particular race depends on the circumstances and sometimes horses that don’t look like stayers can run in the money,” the handler said.

Lucky Express, who finished second in the Hong Kong Classic Mile to Excellent Proposal, will set off beside him in gate nine among the 14-runner field.

The Toronado gelding endured an interrupted run in the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and didn’t appear to be fully tested over the nine furlongs that day.

“He looked like he had a beautiful run around to the top of the straight and then he was held up for some time in the run home, so we didn’t get a look at him that day and it’s hard to tell where exactly he would have finished but it would be fair to say he probably could have finished a bit closer,” Size said.

Frenchman Antoine Hamelin pairs with the galloper who is a one-time winner in Hong Kong for his new connections. The four-year-old was a two-time winner in Australia prior to export over 1000m and 1200m respectively from three starts.

“He’s had three runs at a mile and one at 1800 metres, he’s still on track and he’s in good shape; the racing doesn’t seem to have harmed him, he looks good and he’s in good order,” Size said. “So we’ll go to the races and see if he can have some luck.”

Silver Express, an all-the-way winner last-start over 1400m, has drawn gate one as he steps into the unknown having never raced beyond seven furlongs in both Australia and Hong Kong.

“He’s probably one run short, it would have been nice to have one more run with him but that didn’t come and he was a little bit wayward at his first two starts, particularly his second start and then he put it all together when he had his third run,” Size said.

“But he certainly showed good ability the day that he won and it’s going to be very interesting to see where he goes in life and even in this race,” he added.

A comfortable victor last start from the front, Size designated that the Canford Cliffs gelding will once again be likely to roll forward and settle close to the speed.

“He would be up on the pace no matter where he drew, but he might get around the first bend doing a little less work because of that gate, so that’ll help him save some energy for the finish,” the 66-year-old said.

Matthew Chadwick who bagged a double at Happy Valley’s midweek fixture will take the reins this weekend.

Size though, expects circumstances and luck in running to play a big role in Sunday’s “blue riband” which was first run in 1873.

“There’s a big group of horses in this race that have similar ratings, they’re all in very good form and I think just the circumstances on the day will determine the winner,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be degrading these horses, I just think there is a number of very good horses in the race that just happen to be evenly matched – that’s the difference,” Size added.

Tourbillon Diamond, who finished third in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and fifth in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, will set off from gate 11 under jockey Vincent Ho for trainer Danny Shum.

“Draw 11 is very tricky, all the competitors have got better draws,” Shum said. “The speed is all on the inside and we won’t be able to cross them – we don’t want to be stuck three-wide with no cover.”

The Australian-bred finished third in the 2020 G1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick Racecourse prior to export.

“If we can slot in two-deep, I will be very happy, even three-deep with cover is ok. If we’re stuck three-deep with no cover then it’s a problem,” Shum said.

Sky Darci, the highest rated horse in the race and a five-time winner in Hong Kong, came up with gate two in his bid to give trainer Caspar Fownes a second Derby triumph after Super Satin (2010).

“I’m very pleased with that draw – he needs a soft gate and I’m very happy, it’s going to give him his chance,” Fownes said.

The 103-rater will be paired with championship-leading jockey Joao Moreira.

“He ran alright in the Classic Mile he was just a little bit flat but the run after that in the Classic Cup was good, it was pleasing to the eye – he definitely didn’t have a clear run at them and he was only beaten by two and a quarter lengths,” Fownes said.

“But we’ve persevered with him to give him his chance to run the trip, he’s had a great preparation for this race and he’s as fit as I can get him – he looks a treat,” he added.

Meanwhile, Douglas Whyte endured a mixed result as Russian Emperor drew barrier five while Congratulation was allotted gate 14.

“He’ll get the trip and plus, so he’s going to have every answer – that’s the beauty of being drawn where he is, Karis (Teetan) can now use the draw and ride a race,” Whyte said of Russian Emperor, runner-up in the Hong Kong Classic Cup.

David Hayes also received a mixed bag as Conqueror was dished up gate 13, while dual Australian Group 1 winner Shadow Hero will set off from gate seven with Zac Purton engaged.

Tony Millard’s duo of Panfield and Maximus drew gate 12 and gate four, respectively. The handler is looking for his third win in the race after the heroics of Keen Winner (2000) and the brilliant Ambitious Dragon (2011).

Tony Cruz will saddle two in his bid for a third win in the race as a trainer after Lucky Owners (2004) and Helene Mascot (2008) triumphed. His duo, Delightful Laos and Packing Waltham received barriers 10 and six respectively.

Frankie Lor’s Hong Kong Classic Cup victor Healthy Happy will set off from gate three.

Sunday’s (21 March) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin kicks off at 1pm with the Class 4 Fay Fay Handicap (1200m), while the HK$24 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) will be run at 4.40pm as race eight.

Already armed with an imposing Hong Kong Derby arsenal, John Size could add to an impressive fleet of Classic contenders when Savaquin (133lb) contests the first section of Class 3 Canal Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley tonight (Wednesday, 3 March).

With a handicap rating of 80, the proven city circuit performer could advance aspirations for the 21 March Derby (2000m) with a third successive win as Size continues a familiar mid-season surge – and with Excellent Proposal, Lucky Express and Silver Express already prominent among established Derby contenders.

Zac Purton retains the Savaquin ride with Joao Moreira suspended and is upbeat over the son of Savabeel’s prospects at Happy Valley.

“He’s obviously a horse that’s improving, he’s drawn a bit awkward (in gate 10 of 12) again, hopefully it’s just an evenly-run race and we get our chance,” Purton said.

Asked if Savaquin appealed as a likely Derby candidate, the reigning champion jockey said: “Possibly, he gives the impression that he can run the distance.

“That’s a big asset, so I’ll let the connections work that one out.”

Trailing Moreira 95-65 in the 2020/21 jockeys’ title, Purton is grateful to be combining with Size, who leads the trainers’ championship 47-46 over Caspar Fownes.

“Obviously when the circumstances are there and permit, of course, every jockey would like to ride for him (Size) and I’m no different,” Purton said.

“It’s nice to have the support and hopefully I can get some more.”

Purton’s Australian compatriot Blake Shinn has a busy night at the Valley tomorrow and he’s hoping Savvy Kingman (121lb) can successfully contend in the Class 4 Morrison Hill Handicap (1650m).

“I think he’s had excuses at all three starts before I got on him and last start we were able to get a nice run in transit and there were really no excuses for the horse – he performed well (finishing fourth to Decisive Action over 1600m at Sha Tin on 14 February),” Shinn said.

“He was a little bit green in the straight but aside from that, he ran a creditable race.

“He’s quite a big horse and he’s still learning how to use himself in terms of his action and how to put his feet down but I like the feel he gives me – I think he’s a progressive horse and he’s going to win his share of races in Hong Kong.

“Hopefully he can do that tomorrow night (but) he’s drawn awkwardly (10) and it’s his first run around Happy Valley so it is going to be interesting for the horse. He’s going to need a good ride from myself and he’s going to need the cards to fall our way.

“It’s an even field and I think he’s one of the chances and certainly capable of winning.”

Paul O’Sullivan will bid to continue his stable’s recent strong run, sending five runners to Happy Valley including Kungfumaster Panda (118lb), who contests the Class 4 Percival Handicap (1800m).

“Probably the drop in grade certainly helped him, but he was pretty dominant in the end, so he goes up in class,” O’Sullivan said of the gelding’s last-start success in Class 5.

“He’s got a good draw (gate one) but whether he’s going to cut it in (Class 4) – hopefully he will.

“Wednesday night is going to answer a lot of those questions, but hopefully he can. He’s going to get the right run from the barrier.

“As he’s got fitter, he’s got better.”

Spontaneous (127lb), who runs in the second section of Class 4 Matheson Handicap (1200m) is another of the New Zealander trainer’s in-form squad, having overcome a serious leg injury.

“He had quite a bad tendon injury and the owner has been very patient,” O’Sullivan said.

“He’s got a good constitution – he’s sound at the moment and barrier six is neither wide nor in and if he can fly the lids and take up a good position, he should be competitive again.”

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Blake Shinn is banking on Excellent Proposal’s consistency and quality as decisive factors in the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (21 February).

Shinn capitalised fully on his first ride on John Size’s talented gelding by winning the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 24 January, defeating many of the rivals he will face this weekend.

Bidding to become one of Hong Kong’s elite riders, Shinn oozed confidence ahead of the second leg of the lucrative Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

“Obviously, I’m going into a big race as confident as I can after his last start win,” Shinn said.

“He’s pretty much going up against the same field, he’s drawn a better barrier (gate five, compared to gate 10 in the Mile), he’s trialled nicely, won at the distance.

“He ticks a lot of the boxes, so I’m just delighted to retain the ride and have another big chance at another big race in Hong Kong.”

Shinn, who has 10 winners this season, partnered Excellent Proposal in a leisurely 1200m trial, finishing eighth, just behind champion Golden Sixty, to Ka Ying Star on 9 February.

While Shinn barely flexed a muscle in a low-key hit-out, he was buoyed by the promising galloper’s improvement.

“Judging by the horse in his trial, the signs were positive to say he’s taken a step forward,” Shinn said, explaining his overall Hong Kong ambitions.

“When I came to Hong Kong, I wanted to be regarded as one of the leading riders here and I haven’t achieved that yet.

“I’ve won a Classic Mile and if I can win a Classic Cup and some of the feature races that will hopefully propel me to where I want to go.

“I think I’ve got a great chance to do it at the weekend and let’s hope he can do it.

“It’s very important – these are the opportunities to get me where I need to be. At this point in time, I’m grateful to Mr. Size for keeping me on the horse, giving me the opportunity in the first place.

“I was glad I could deliver in the first leg of the series – he’s a talented horse. I’m looking forward to it.”

Karis Teetan will be among 13 rivals attempting to realise their own objectives in a race regarded as vital to the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 21 March at Sha Tin.

Lucky Express was beaten only three quarters of a length by Excellent Proposal last month and Teetan hopes his charge is still on an upward trajectory.

“I thought it was a good run. He got held up and I thought it was what helped him actually to finish off the race,” the Mauritian said.

“It’s a good sign stepping out over a bit further now – I think the way he has been finishing off the race is a good sign.”

Teetan, who claimed the Hong Kong Classic Cup on Thunder Fantasy in 2015, concedes he has a slight stamina query over Lucky Express, a son of Toronado who is yet to win beyond 1200m in either Hong Kong or Australia, where he raced successfully as Prince Of Sussex.

“It (stamina) is a question mark, but if we ride him the same way – switch him off – he does have a turn of foot so if we can save his energy for the last bit then he can run well again,” Teetan said.

“It (the race) is very open. The horse that won the Mile for John Size (Excellent Proposal) last time looked very promising.

“With a bit of luck and a good run he could run very well.”

Sunday’s blockbuster card also features the clash of Golden Sixty and Exultant in the Group 1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and the staging of the world’s richest 1400m race on turf – the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup.

Excellent Proposal rose to the top of Hong Kong’s four-year-old pecking order with an impressive win in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) yesterday afternoon (Sunday, 24 January), a result that strengthened trainer John Size’s hand for the remaining two legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).

Size saddled two of Hong Kong’s brightest talents in the first leg of the three-race age-restricted series and they both sparkled, finishing first and second: Excellent Proposal bounced back to his budding best, while Lucky Express displayed his customary tenacity and vigour.

“I ran a few tests over him (Excellent Proposal) to see if there was anything amiss but I couldn’t find anything and I galloped on the Saturday and trialled him on the Tuesday there was nothing untoward going on with the horse at all – I was always of the opinion that he needed a race to switch him on,” the 11-time champion trainer said.

The son of Exceed And Excel won three races on the bounce this season ranging from 1400m to 1800m, before returning a weakening 11th-placed effort last start following a three-month freshen-up.

“He has a very good temperament, he is a very quiet horse and he probably just missed the competition – he hadn’t raced for three months and it looks like that is correct because today he savaged the line, he knew what he was doing and he was there to win the race,” Size said.

The Australian-bred chestnut arrived in Hong Kong as a PP (Privately Purchased Horse) on a rating of 75 and now will find himself entrenched in triple figures following today’s success.

“Early in the season in September and October I had to ask him for something to see if he was actually capable of running the distance and his last win over 1800 metres was the deciding factor that we should probably run him in the series.

“So, therefore I needed to give him some time off to recharge his batteries and get a bit of maturity and strength into him physically,” Size said.

Excellent Proposal positioned third-last in the 13-runner contest, peeled wide under Australian rider Blake Shinn at the 300m mark to quicken decisively, clocking the fastest final 400m of the HK$12 million race in 23.39s, on his way to an overall time of 1m 33.81s.

“I think at this point I am happy with the outcome so far and he’ll just continue on to the next two legs and hopefully he can be competitive in them as well,” Size said.

As for Lucky Express, the ex-Australian galloper was also posted close to tail of the field along near to his stablemate but instead, settled for an inside run, weaving into second place under Karis Teetan.

“You’d have to say that’s a pleasing effort from him, he’s had three runs over the mile and although he has been beaten in three of them he has acquitted himself in all three.

“Today with the luxury of a little bit of pace in the race he was able to settle and really go to sleep actually so therefore his sprint comes into play in the finish of the race he is able to his use his power,” Size said.

The 94-rater has hit the ground running in Hong Kong with seven top-three efforts from nine starts, including one win and will most likely push on to the second leg of the series.

“At the moment I’ll have a closer look at the performance and the running of the race tomorrow but it’s certainly likely that he’ll run in the Classic Cup,” Size said.

The win was the second of a treble for John Size who earlier, claimed the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) with Hot King Prawn before Sight Success remained unbeaten with victory in the finale, the Class 3 Peniaphobia Handicap (1200m).

Gratifying win for Shinn

Blake Shinn describes his time in Hong Kong as ‘testing’ but after declaring his intent to stay with a contract extension to season-end, the Australian got the boost he desired in today’s HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile.

“Honestly it’s really gratifying, it’s been a testing time since I have been in Hong Kong but I’ve just had to remain positive and keep believing in myself,” Shinn said.

The Australian – with only four rides at Sha Tin today – notched his ninth win this term thanks to a patient drive atop +2200 shot Excellent Proposal in the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

“Honestly I couldn’t have won this race without John Size – he instilled faith in me and he’s the first and foremost person that I have to thank as well my close knit people behind me that have really had faith in me and have continued to support me on my journey in Hong Kong.

“This win is for all of those people and obviously myself – I’ve just kept sticking it out, that’s life you just have to ride the tough times and something is good is just around the corner and here we are,” Shinn said.

“We had a really good run back in the field and that was our plan to let the horse (Excellent Proposal) just settle and bide our time and then bring him with one run,” Shinn said.

Far from dismayed with Computer Patch’s recent 1200m form at elite level, Tony Cruz is banking on the former Australian galloper’s drop to 1000m for the Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap as a decisive change of approach.

Cruz has saddled Computer Patch in only five starts since inheriting the horse from John Moore for a win, two seconds, a fourth and a sixth. While the two runners-up efforts came at Group 2 level over 1200m, the sole victory this season was over 1000m.

For Cruz, the equation is simple.

“I believe he’s only a 1000 metre horse – I think 1200 metres has always been a bit too far for him, in this class – and especially in the Group races.

“But I think 1000 is perfect for him.”

Computer Patch finished sixth in the Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) behind Japan’s Danon Smash, beaten only a length and a half, on 13 December.

Following seconds – both at Group 2 level – to Hong King Prawn in the Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) and to Wishful Thinker in the Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m), Cruz believes Computer Patch was far from disgraced behind Danon Smash at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.

“Well, he had quite a wide draw (barrier 11) and he wasn’t where I expected him to be (in running), up the front,” he said.

“I’m very happy with him and obviously he’s the likely favourite for New Year’s Day and, with Joao Moreira riding, he should have every chance.

“He’s fantastic. He’s very good, very healthy and a very sound horse.”

Computer Patch will shoulder 133lb under Moreira, but Cruz insists any weight concerns are erased by the shorter trip.

“Well, that (weight) is an issue but I believe 1000 metres should suit the horse,” he said.

In his only 1000m foray for Cruz, Computer Patch – with Moreira aboard – dominated six rivals to land the Group 3 National Day Cup Handicap in early October.

Karis Teetan has mounts in both the Group 3 New Year’s Day features – the Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap and the Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap – with Big Party and Champion’s Way, respectively, and while he is hopeful of good performances, the Mauritian is strongly represented on the undercard.

In particular, Teetan is looking forward to reuniting with the John Size-trained Lucky Express in the Class 2 Chinese Banyan Handicap (1600m).

“It’s nice to get back on him, he’s a very smart horse,” Teetan said.

“He’s got a preparation towards the big races, I’m looking forward to seeing how he runs.

“The horse is improving all the time. Unfortunately, I didn’t ride him last start but, in the trial (on 22 December), he felt good, he felt like he had improved.”

Vagner Borges partnered the Toronado gelding when a fast-finishing second to Sky Darci at Sha Tin over the same distance at the end of November.

Teetan will ride Lucky Express conservatively before hopefully unleashing his sprint.

“He’s got a turn of foot but I don’t think he’s the type of horse you can use too much in the early stages,” Teetan said.

“I still expect him to quicken up in races – I think that’s his style of racing where he’s comfortable. We just ride him the way he’s been ridden.

“The good thing about the horse is that he’s really relaxed. He relaxes nicely behind horses and has that nice turn of foot. He can switch off and still quicken up, so over 1600 metres with a nice draw – he could be competitive.’

Golden Sixty took the first step on his path toward the 2020 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races with an impressive win in the Group 3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin Sunday (27 September), thwarting Beauty Generation’s tilt at a fourth straight triumph in the race.

Hong Kong’s first Pattern race this season was billed as the clash between Beauty Generation and Golden Sixty and it did not disappoint, with the latter reigning supreme for trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho.

“I think at the moment he is the best horse that I have trained – he’ll step up in distance to 1600 metres now and then of course the target is the Hong Kong International Races,” Lui said.

The Medaglia d’Oro gelding made the most of the 17 pounds he received off the two-time Horse of the Year, Beauty Generation (133lb), who finished a dead-heat second alongside Champion’s Way by one and three quarter lengths.

“It’s very exciting to be back on him (Golden Sixty), he felt great and fresh today – once I got a clear run I knew he’d run them down,” Ho said. “I think he is one of the best horses in Hong Kong at the moment.”

With his devastating turn-of-foot on display once again, the newly turned five-year-old made it eight wins in a row, following on from his Four-Year-Old Classic Series clean sweep which culminated with Derby glory.

After breaking cleanly Golden Sixty was snagged back to settle worse than midfield while Beauty Generation, under the guidance of Zac Purton, would stalk the leading duo on the rail.

As the field turned for home; Golden Sixty quickened when asked, while Beauty Generation hit traffic and had to bullock his way clear to share second prize.

“He pulled up well, it was a good blow for him – he needed that, I think he was around 70 to 75 percent fit before this run and after this he should go up even more, of course with the aim of December,” Ho said.

Trainer David Hayes spoke of Beauty Generation’s performance post-race: “We knew it was always going to be a big ask to give a young champion like Golden Sixty so much weight but I thought Beauty Generation would have finished a clear second with a better run and I’m very happy with the way he went,” he said.

“The big handicap at a mile is obviously an option but, as I said before the race today, he’s going to be at his very best when the big set weights races come around in November and December,” Hayes said in reference to a possible next run in Group 2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) on 18 October.

But it wasn’t altogether smooth sailing for the winning camp, as Lui spoke of his concerns pre-race as his stable star danced and buzzed around the parade ring before the race.

“I was worried about him before the race in the parade ring because he was so excited but in the race he was under control,” Lui said.

The December riches on offer for Golden Sixty are the $25 million Hong Kong Mile or the HK$28 million Hong Kong Cup, should Lui opt to step up to the Derby distance of 2000m again.

“He looks like he is more mature – at the moment his best is between 1600 metres and 2000 metres,” Lui said.

Before his end-of-year aspirations, the Australian-bred could next target the Group 2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) which may see a rematch with Beauty Generation, who has won two of the past three editions of the HK$4.5 million contest.

Earlier on the fixture, Ho also won on the Jimmy Ting-trained Go Goal Toby who scored a maiden success in the Class 4 Swallow Handicap (1400m), surprising at odds of +3700.

Teetan takes three

Karis Teetan continued his strong start to the 2020/21 racing season with a winning treble which was completed with victory aboard impressive juvenile, Lucky Express in the Class 2 Hwamei Handicap (1200m).

Although winless at the two previous meetings, Teetan had already bagged eight wins and today added three more to skip into second on the jockeys’ premiership table.

“You never know coming into the day – I thought I had ok rides but it’s nice after two meetings blank to bounce back with a treble – especially on some nice horses,” Teetan said.

Teetan wrapped up his three-timer with a barnstorming victory aboard Lucky Express, the Toronado gelding rattling over the top to score by three quarters of a length but Teetan didn’t expect to have a ride in the race, let alone partner the winner.

“I had no ride in the race so when Mr Size sent me a message, I confirmed it straight away,” Teetan said, “the way he was running last season he looked like he was going to get better and I appreciate Mr Size’s support – it’s nice to sit on a horse like that.”

The Australian-bred arrived in Hong Kong with two wins from three starts in Australia, amassing an eye-catching AU$681,250 in the process (approx. HK$3.8 million) when previously known as Prince Of Sussex.

Teetan kicked off his treble with victory aboard California Concord in the Class 3 Magpie Handicap (1200m, dirt).

“I thought from the wide gate we had to work all-the-way because the way the track was playing; any other horse caught four-wide would have thrown the towel in but he kept on fighting nicely,” Teetan said of the Tony Cruz-trained galloper.

Teetan grabbed his second win of the day aboard Big Fortune in the Class 3 Lark Handicap (1200m) for trainer Douglas Whyte.

Trainer Tony Millard further improved his already excellent record with acquisitions from other stables when Galactic took the Class 4 Shrike Handicap (1200m) under Antoine Hamelin.

“He’s a very nice horse, he just lacked a bit of confidence and he just needed a bit of time,” Millard said.

The handler and jockey combine for the second time this season following the success of Prince Of Gems at the season-opening fixture, also a stable transfer.

“He’s a big lanky type of horse and with those type of horses you have to be careful you don’t get them too fat but as long as their muscle to weight ratio is good then you have a chance,” Millard said.

Earlier on the program, apprentice Matthew Poon got off the mark for the new season with victory for his master, David Hall aboard Charge On in the Class 4 Swallow Handicap (1400m).

“It was close, I think he isn’t 100 per cent fit – he got tired at the end but he finished off really well and managed to hold on,” Poon said, “the good draw helped him a lot – he’s still young so he can keep improving. I believe he has plenty of ability.”

Bella Baby grabbed the opener for Neil Callan and Chris So, the Class 5 Tailorbird Handicap; while Hong Kong’s champion jockey Zac Purton took the second of the Class 5 contests, the Woodpecker Handicap (1400m), aboard Super Winner for Dennis Yip.

Trainer Richard Gibson notched his third win this season as he took the first dirt race on the card, the Class 4 Sunbird Handicap (1200m) thanks to a well-judged front-running ride from apprentice Jerry Chau aboard Blotting Paper, who sports silks made famous by 2012 W.S Cox Plate winner Ocean Park.