Hugh Bowman reinforced his hold on second place in the jockeys’ championship with a double victory at Sha Tin’s twilight meeting yesterday. Riding Lucky Sam Gor and Jolly Brilliant, Bowman extended his season tally to 61 wins, one ahead of Andrea Atzeni, while leader Zac Purton, who also secured two wins on the day, remains well clear with 136 victories.
Bowman’s second win aboard Lucky Sam Gor marked a milestone for trainer Mark Newnham, who now has 60 wins this season, matching Danny Shum and trailing Caspar Fownes by six in the trainers’ championship race. Lucky Sam Gor, a Press Statement colt, prevailed in a tight finish in the Class Three Sportsmanship Handicap over 1,600 meters, edging out Amazing Partners in a photo finish. Newnham praised the horse’s consistent progression from Class Four to this level, noting the advantageous barrier draw and Bowman’s expert ride as contributing factors.
Bowman began his winning double with Jolly Brilliant in the Class Four Riding High Together Handicap, also run over 1,600 meters. Trained by Ricky Yiu Poon-fai, the Ocean Park gelding came from behind to deliver a strong late surge, narrowly defeating Lucky Balerion in a four-way contest.
Karis Tetean also achieved a double on the card, starting with King Of Fighters in the Class Four Friends of Hong Kong Association Cup at 1,400 meters. Trained by Brett Crawford, King Of Fighters claimed his maiden victory in a three-horse battle, overcoming a challenging barrier eight draw and a swift early pace. Crawford highlighted the horse’s promising improvement and ability to sustain a strong finish.
Cody Mo Wai-kit closed the meeting with a win aboard Motor in the Class Three Better Future Handicap at 1,200 meters. The victory was Motor’s fourth career win, secured by a one-length margin over Super Strong Kid.
In other notable results, Ka Ying Attack delivered back-to-back wins for trainer David Hall with a commanding performance in the Class Two Hong Kong Reunification Cup over 1,400 meters. Ridden by Matthew Poon Ming-fai, the four-year-old son of Too Darn Hot took control early from an outside barrier and maintained a clear advantage to win by one and a half lengths over Beauty Bolt. Hall credited the horse’s affinity for the fast track and his ability to dictate the pace as key factors in the victory, which marked Ka Ying Attack’s first success at Class Two level.