David Hall marked a significant milestone in his training career at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, securing his 700th victory in Hong Kong with Ka Ying Attack’s impressive win in the Class Two Yuen Long Handicap over 1,200 meters.
Ka Ying Attack, a horse by Too Darn Hot, returned to racing after a strong finish to last season, which included consecutive front-running victories. Despite an unfavorable barrier draw at post position 10 and an aggressive pace set by rivals drawn inside him, the horse was heavily backed with odds of $5.5, behind the favorite Jumbo Treasure and Turquoise Velocity. Unlike his typical front-running style, Ka Ying Attack was restrained towards the rear early on—a strategy that had yielded a third-place finish when tried last season.
The change in tactics paid off. Around 300 meters from the finish, Ka Ying Attack appeared boxed in, but jockey Matthew Poon Ming-fai seized an opportunity when the long-time leader, Rising Force, drifted near the rail inside the final 100 meters. Poon guided Ka Ying Attack through the gap and surged past to win by three-quarters of a length. Hall praised the ride and the horse’s improved strength after a challenging start to the campaign.
“The tactics were a big test, especially first up and carrying extra weight, but the horse looked stronger rather than just heavier,” Hall said. He attributed the victory to Poon’s well-executed ride and described the horse as “flying and in the zone.”
The meeting was doubly successful for Hall, who also trained Kempes to a surprise win in the Class Three Lau Fau Shan Handicap earlier that day. Kempes overcame favored Bustling City, who was returning after a dominant seven-length victory and was heavily backed at $1.4 to continue his winning streak. The race’s early fast tempo appeared to tire Bustling City, allowing Kempes, ridden by Andrea Atzeni, to rally on the outside and claim victory by half a length.
Hall expressed cautious optimism about Kempes’s progress, noting the Group One-winning Argentinian import was enjoying stable routines in Conghua and demonstrating versatility on both turf and dirt tracks. “He’s probably as good as he’s ever been in Hong Kong,” Hall said.
Jockey Andrea Atzeni notched another win shortly afterward, steering the four-year-old Jolly Brilliant to victory in the Class Four Ping Shan Handicap over 1,600 meters for trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai. The son of Ocean Park claimed his first win since last season’s seventh attempt, executing a strong finish from a midfield position. Yiu praised the horse’s fighting spirit and expressed hopes for the colt’s ability to sustain longer distances.
Matthew Poon also enjoyed success teaming with trainer David Hayes to guide Let’s Have Fun to victory in the Class Four Pok Oi Cup over 1,200 meters. The I Am Invincible progeny, racing closer to the lead than usual, took control in the final stages and held off late challenges from favorite Gallant Design and Noble Superior.
Elsewhere, champion jockey Zac Purton recorded a win aboard Celestial Hero for Douglas Whyte but is set to miss racing on October 28 following a suspension related to his ride on Mega Captain.