Jerry Chau Chun-lok aims to build on last year’s success as he prepares to ride Beauty Waves in Sunday’s Group Three Korea Sprint (1,200 meters) in Seoul. Chau, who partnered Self Improvement to an upset victory in the same race a year ago, now teams up with Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Waves, one of the highest-rated horses in the field.
Self Improvement, trained by Manfred Man Ka-leung and ridden this time by Dylan Mo Hin-tung, will seek to defend its title, while Richard Kingscote will ride Danny Shum Chap-shing’s Gorgeous Win, rounding out the Hong Kong entrants in the event.
Beauty Waves heads into the Korea Sprint following a trial victory on Sha Tin’s dirt track late last month, a surface he has limited experience with but has shown potential on previously. Out of 35 starts in Hong Kong, the majority have been on turf, with a third-place finish on dirt at Sha Tin in April 2023 marking his only other attempt on a non-turf surface. The unique sand track at Seoul represents an additional challenge, but trainer Tony Cruz remains confident.
“He’s a very calm horse, and nothing excites him, which helps with travel and adapting to new environments,” Cruz said. “He won on Polytrack in Ireland before coming here and has been successful in dirt trials at Sha Tin, so I think he will handle the surface well.” Beauty Waves is scheduled to gallop on the track Thursday to acclimate ahead of the race.
Chau, 26, is coming off a standout 2025-26 season, capturing the Tony Cruz Award as Hong Kong’s leading local rider with 48 wins, including the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy aboard Light Years Charm. He also expanded his experience internationally over the summer, competing at Ascot’s Shergar Cup where he won the opening race for Team Hong Kong.
“It’s always valuable to ride overseas in major races; it provides great experience,” Chau said. “Riding at Ascot was a big moment for me, and I learned a lot. My goal is to continue performing at a high level this season, aiming for around 40 wins and possibly defending the Tony Cruz Award.”
Chau also expressed his ambition to secure more quality rides in Group races domestically, hoping to add another big-race win to his record. With Beauty Waves poised to challenge on unfamiliar ground in Korea, both jockey and trainer are optimistic the horse can deliver a strong performance.