Yuen to extend winning streak at Happy Valley

Nichola Yuen has made a flying start to her first full-season of riding in Hong Kong, and the second-placed apprentice – currently riding a wave of confidence – is hunting more success on Wednesday when she takes five mounts at Happy Valley.

The 26-year-old’s eight victories from 45 rides at a 17.8% win-strike rate is bettered only by title leader Zac Purton after the campaign’s initial eight fixtures – a period for Yuen that includes her first treble in Hong Kong and six wins from the past four race meetings.

Before returning to Hong Kong, Yuen completed overseas training in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as part of her apprenticeship with The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School.

“Winning is the most enjoyable thing, especially for my boss (Ricky Yiu). Hopefully, there’s more to come,” Yuen said. “I learnt a lot (from being overseas), and it’s nice to have people over there who keep watching me and they’re very happy for me.

“Even though I’m now (claiming) seven pounds, the ball keeps rolling, and I am very happy about that. I’m grateful for all of the opportunities and support I have received.”

Yuen has a booking in each of Wednesday’s Class 3s – Flying Wrote, Run Run Smart and Prestige Always – and all carry 3kg less than their assigned imposts with her allowance in play, including Ricky Yiu’s Hayday in the second section of the Class 4 Cheung Fat Handicap (1200m).

“He’s (Hayday) very fit at the moment, and I am very happy with his work. He has a good draw,” Yuen said.

A three-time course and distance winner, the front-running Hayday breaks from barrier four as he seeks a fifth triumph in Class 4 and first under the apprentice.

Yuen reunites with Prestige Always in the card-closing Class 3 Yip Fat Handicap (1200m) aiming to secure a hat-trick of wins aboard Pierre Ng’s charge from gate No 3.

“He’s very honest. He was up in class last start, but he still won pretty easily. When I gave him the signal, he hit the line strongly.

“He’s a very easy horse to ride – you can just sit behind the pace. We have a good draw, so I’m expecting him to run a good race,” Yuen said.

Following a double last Sunday, Frankie Lor is hopeful Absolute Honour can put his best foot forward when he returns in the first section of the Class 4 Fat Tseung Handicap (1650m) under Purton after two barrier trials.

“He’s trialled good,” Lor said. “He usually jumps fast and if he can be midfield or forward, it would be better, but I’ll leave it to the jockey because he has drawn No 10. I think he still has a little bit of improvement.”

Golden Ace made an immediate impact on debut, placing third for trainer Caspar Fownes in July at Sha Tin. The galloper steps from draw No 9 in the Class 4 Chinese General Chamber Of Commerce Cup Handicap (1000m) with Brenton Avdulla.

“He did a good job on debut. The horse looked pretty lost for the first half of the race, but he closed off pretty well. Caspar’s decided to try him around the Valley and we know how effective his horses can be there,” Avdulla said.

“He trialled okay – he was wide and got a bit lost, but he’ll take good improvement off it, and I’m still trying to learn about him. He’s only had the one start and I am sure whatever he does on Wednesday he will improve.” – Hong Kong Jockey Club

 

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Can’t Go Wong looks one to follow on his return to Class 5, where he boasts a perfect record, especially with Purton aboard. Sharpen Bright should relish the class drop and is expected to produce an improved effort from a low draw. Kingly Demeanor a proven performer in the cellar grade, he could be hard to run down if allowed to cross early from the wide draw. Golden Fortune remains a maiden after 12 starts but could finally break through given his positive racing pattern if things fall his way. Splendid Force may lack consistency but could cause an upset on his day.

Race 2: Lucky Mcqueen has been in great form and can make his presence felt late in a race with plenty of speed despite the wide draw. Loving Vibes looks overdue for a win and is likely to start favourite from an inside draw. Winning Money has good early speed and will give them something to catch despite the awkward gate. Hayday resumes off a winnable mark and appears well placed to produce a bold showing with Nichola Yuen’s 7lb claim. World Hero trapped wide but still ran a creditable sixth last start and, with a smoother trip, could finish in the money.

Race 3: Dashing Maurison underperformed first-up, but looks capable of bouncing back with more positive tactics this time. Sunday’s Serenade has found the line well in recent starts and shapes as a leading contender in this open contest. Decision Link comes off a fair first-up effort and should be right in the mix with added fitness. Ragga Bomb the drop back to Class 4, where his best form lies, is a significant positive, and he could prove a knockout chance. Exceed The Limit caught the eye flashing home late last time out, but drawing wide again poses a challenge.

Race 4: Sky Deep deserves another chance after an ill-judged ride blunted his winning prospects last time out. Precision Hope appears to be on a winnable mark and should get every chance to break through from a favourable gate. Take Action has posted fast final sectionals in recent starts and could bounce back at any time in this class. Amazing Award with a further rating drop during the off-season, he is expected to produce a bold showing first-up. Absolute Honour resumes off a solid trial and looks one to watch with Purton aboard.

Race 5: Superb King encountered early traffic last start but still finished a slashing third and, with Purton aboard, could make amends from a good draw. Georgian Sigma has placed four times from his past five starts and is edging closer to a win. Grand Nova is always a threat in this class and should run well from a low draw, despite carrying top weight. Iron Security will find this field more manageable and could sneak into the placings at long odds. Vigor Eye has trialled well for his return and must be included among the better chances.

Race 6: No Other Choice caused a huge upset in emphatic style in Class 5 last time out and remains a strong chance despite rising to Class 4, with the sectional data suggesting that win was no fluke. Kwai Chung Talents his recent efforts have been encouraging, and he appears well weighted to break through. California Bay should produce an improved effort from a better draw and should not be overlooked. King Oberon well placed with the apprentice claim, he is worth considering as a value pick. Grit Spirit showed marked improvement with a fast-finishing third last time out.

Race 7: There appears to be little between Flying Wrote, who is well weighted with Nichola Yuen’s 7lb claim and should deliver a strong performance and Daryl Flash, who finished 0.75 lengths ahead of the former in their last meeting. Target Audience was narrowly beaten last start, and his recent trial suggests a strong first-up showing is on the cards. Bright Day comes off an impressive Class 4 win and can extend his strong form from a low draw despite the step up to Class 3. Jubilant Winner was far from disgraced last start and could place at long odds with more positive tactics.

Race 8: Dazzling Fit with a favourable weight swing, he is well placed to turn the tables on Pope Cody, who endured a wide trip and beat him by 0.75 lengths in their last meeting, and remains a strong chance. Do You Just resumes off an eye-catching trial and should run well fresh as a proven Class 3 performer. Prestige Good was last seen producing a strong on-pace third at Sha Tin and could be hard to run down if able to dictate. Run Run Smart will likely make the running and may cause an upset with the apprentice claim.

Race 9: Aurio finished strongly for third first-up and, from a slightly better draw, should play a key role in this wide-open contest. Prestige Always overcame the rise in class to complete a double last time out and now aims for a hat-trick with Nichola Yuen staying aboard. The Heir looks hard to overlook given his strong recent form and can unleash a sharp late burst with a genuine tempo. Storming Dragon looks capable of causing an upset with more positive tactics under a claiming rider. Thunder Kit likes to get back and charge home late, and will need conditions to suit his racing style. – iRACE Magazine