By Declan Schuster, HKJC
Jerry Chau’s four rides have packed a powerful punch previously at Happy Valley and the 24-year-old, who is enjoying a solid campaign with 29 wins, is optimistic of returning further success for connections at the iconic city course on Wednesday night (12 June).
Chill Chibi (121lb) is a four-time winner at Happy Valley. He features in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 EWO Challenge Trophy Handicap (1650m) as one of three for trainer Danny Shum alongside Moments In Time (133lb) and Helene Feeling (129lb).
Chau has a trio of wins aboard Chill Chibi and hops up again tomorrow night, although the pair have drawn the widest of 10 barriers.
“I’m really happy to get on him again. Last time he had a problem, but I’ve trialled and galloped him since then and he’s doing well now. He doesn’t show much in trials, I think his form is good now,” Chau said. “I think he has the potential to go higher.”
Chill Chibi was withdrawn from the HK$4.2 million G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) due to lameness.
“I think in Class 2 he has a competitive chance. He ran fourth last time on the ‘C+3’ course at Sha Tin and we needed to come wide, which was difficult for him, but he still ran home strongly,” Chau said.
Super Joy N Fun is a two-time winner at the Valley, who returns tomorrow night in the Class 3 Thistle Handicap (1200m). Trainer Benno Yung has applied the crossed nose band to the three-year-old for the first time.
Super Joy N Fun (R7) returns to Happy Valley chasing a third win tomorrow night; @JerryChau15 shares his thoughts… #HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/Fjsex68Jqa
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 11, 2024
“He always opens his mouth in trackwork and he never really settles. I asked Benno if he can put the crossed nose band on to try and keep his mouth closed, so that he’ll run better and so far, it’s been good. He’s a bit more settled in trackwork,” Chau said.
Super Joy N Fun steps away from gate 12 against 11 rivals.
“He’s getting there slowly. It’s taking time to make him grow, he’s still a little bit immature now but he’s getting better slowly,” Chau said.
Chau also rides two-time Happy Valley winner Happy Soul as well as Amazing Ace, who is yet to win in Hong Kong, but has done his best racing at the city track.
Magic Control makes his Hong Kong debut in the Class 3 Violet Handicap (1000m) under Hugh Bowman for trainer Jamie Richards, assigned 133lb. The three-year-old won three times pre-import, including the G3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
Formerly raced as Archo Nacho in Australia, Magic Control (R8) makes his Hong Kong debut tomorrow night at Happy Valley; @JamieRichards3 discusses his chances…#HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/Mm3gznnNWv
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 11, 2024
“He’s a horse that arrived up here with some good form in Melbourne. He seems to be acclimatising pretty quickly and he’s been trialling well, so hopefully he can do a good job for us tomorrow night,” Richards said.
The chestnut – known as Archo Nacho pre-import – recently led throughout in a barrier trial at Conghua, clocking 56.59s (13.5, 20.5, 22.5) for 1000m on the turf last Monday (3 June).
“The trial at the Valley was very good, unfortunately, he hasn’t had a lot of luck since he arrived here. In his first trial he got loose, then he trialled well at the Valley and then on the all-weather he lost both of his front shoes when he jumped out of the barriers.
“We since sent him up to Conghua for a few trials just to get his confidence back again and we feel as though he’s in the right sort of shape to head off to the races now,” Richards said.
Magic Control steps away from barrier four, while stablemate Happy United jumps out of 11 with 121lb in the same race with Vincent Ho up.
“He’s (Happy United) in good shape. He just had a quiet trial up at Conghua after racing very well up the straight at Sha Tin. He’s much more at home at Happy Valley, but he’s drawn a bad gate, so he’s going to need a bit of luck,” Richards said.
Debut winner Midori Glory returns for jockey Matthew Poon and trainer Ricky Yiu with 125lb. The three-year-old won on debut last month over the track and trip. He steps away from gate six in the Violet Handicap, while two-time winner Fast Serve must overcome barrier 10.
Wednesday’s (12 June) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Aster Handicap (1650m).
