Aiming to build on his first 50-win season in Hong Kong, jockey Lyle Hewitson heads into Wednesday’s (13 September) eight-race card primed to reunite with One For All in a cracking Class 3 Mui Wo Handicap (1200m).
Happy Valley’s first fixture of the season marks the start of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, which runs until 21 February, 2024. The competition is for horses racing in Class 3 and above, with points awarded for first, second, third and fourth place finishes.
A first-up win for One For All (117lb) would secure 15 points in the HK$1.5 million competition.
“Hopefully we can get a bit of beginner’s luck and get Mark (Newnham) off to a great start. He’s a lovely horse and he has stepped up in grade now, but with the weight relief that should be in his favour,” Hewitson said.
One For All is trainer Mark Newnham’s first runner in Hong Kong. The on-pacer nailed a hat-trick of wins last term, but faces a stiff test tomorrow night against Reward Smile (135lb), Superb Capitalist (133lb), Allgreektome (121lb), Packing Bole (116lb) and more.
“That’s the unfortunate thing (possible fast pace), to start off in this sort of field makes it a bit more difficult. He’s a horse that’s shown good gate speed and a lot of speed, so the plan will still be to pop out and press on for the first half furlong.
“I think we’re going to have to be wise about the situation, there’s three or four other noted frontrunners, so it does make it a bit more difficult but he is a horse that’s doing well, so hopefully he has a few more tricks up his sleeve,” Hewitson said.
Hewitson has seven mounts, also partnering Goodmanship, Durham Star, Snowalot, High Percentage, Eighteen Palms and G One Excellent at the city circuit.
“Eighteen Palms is also in good form and he will have come on with the season under his belt. That actually looks like a very competitive race with three or four others that are in good form at the moment but he’d be a livewire. I think Snowalot just continues a good vein of form,” Hewitson said.
The lightly-raced Pachisi returns for trainer Jamie Richards in the Class 4 Sha Lo Wan Handicap (1000m) earlier, drawing barrier 11 with jockey Zac Purton engaged.
“Because of his size, you have to be a little bit careful with him and he’s not the greatest of eaters, so he doesn’t make it easy for himself. He trialled up pretty well at Conghua the other day, he’s had the benefit of a summer break and he heads into the race in good order, albeit very difficult from the outside barrier.
“We’re going to need a bit of luck and I’m expecting him to find the line well but when you struggle to draw a gate it makes it very tough for him,” Richards said.
The bay is the lightest runner in the race with a body weight of 995lb. He has previously had setbacks, being found to be a roarer before pulling up with mucus last season.
“There’s lots of pace in the race, so it might set it up for something to come from off them a little bit first time back at Happy Valley on the ‘A’ course – it’ll certainly be a challenge for Zac,” Richards said.
Pachisi is yet to win, while Richards closed out a stellar first campaign last season with 35 Hong Kong wins.
“We rested a few of the horses at the end of the season with a view to trying to get them going a little bit earlier than we did last season. Unfortunately we’ve just had a few little hold ups, things haven’t gone our way, the typhoon and the rainstorm has made it difficult for everybody,” he said.
Wednesday’s (13 September) eight-race card at Happy Valley kicks off at 7.10pm with the Class 5 Yi O Handicap (1200m).
By Declan Schuster, HKJC
