Chris So’s stable is on fire at present and the trainer is optimistic of carrying forward his recent form when he takes five runners to Happy Valley on Wednesday night (15 January).
So has six wins from the past four fixtures or six from his last 20 runners in Hong Kong. Unbeaten talents The Boom Box, Hong Lok Golf and Mask Rider have each pitched in with wins, vaulting So to 17 this term after 37 of 88 scheduled race meetings for season 2024/25.
“Since the start of 2025 everything is going smoothly with a few winners and some of the new horses have started to run and race well – I’m very happy,” So said.
“The Boom Box and Hong Lok Golf have had two starts for two wins each. Pakistan Legacy is another one running well, last time he ran second. The Boom Box will run again on the 26th of January. The stable is doing well so far.”
Sporting the renowned red, white and pink colours of the Leung family, The Boom Box has dazzled across two appearances by weaving passages between runners from well back both times with jockey Vincent Ho at Sha Tin to maintain his perfect record.
So saddles Go Go Go, Jubilation, Panda Legend, Owners’ Praise and Turf Phoenix at Happy Valley tomorrow. Panda Legend is a one-time winner for the trainer, featuring in the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Murray Handicap (1650m) under Keagan De Melo, who has four wins for So this campaign.
“We’ll see how he (Panda Legend) goes. We’re stepping him up in distance and it seems like he can handle it but we’ll see how he goes,” So said.
So’s highest-rated horse is the injured Super Sunny Sing, winner of the 2023 HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), who remains restricted to light work at Conghua.
“We’ll give him another month to rest and let’s see because he was injured (right fore ligament) last season. He’s still doing easy work. We’ll see how he is and is recovering – it’s hard to tell,” So said.
Purton’s record chase continues
Positioned on 1,808 Hong Kong wins, just behind Douglas Whyte’s record 1,813, Zac Purton takes eight rides at Happy Valley after posting a double last Sunday (12 January) at Sha Tin.
Purton partners Kasa Papa, Me Time, Happy Daily, Bottomuptogether, Happy United, Northern Fire Ball, Pray For Mir and Aurora Lady. Bottomuptogether features with Purton in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Jackson Handicap (1000m) for trainer Frankie Lor.
“Like a few horses he (Bottomuptogether) has just hit a little bit of a plateau. He’s been going quite hard in some of his races and maybe back to 1000 metres and at Happy Valley is going to suit him.
“He’s got plenty of speed and those type of horses are generally suited there. Hopefully he’s one of them,” Purton said.
Bottomuptogether (124lb) breaks from barrier one against Majestic Knight (135lb), Whizz Kid (131lb), Harmony N Blessed (130lb), Tomodachi Kokoroe (128lb), Brave Star (125lb), Stellar Express (120lb), Healthy Healthy (117lb) and Youthful Spirits (115lb).
Bidding for a first HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) triumph on 31 January at Sha Tin, Purton has opted to ride Packing Hermod for trainer Francis Lui.
“He was always sort of right at the top of the list. I was just giving every horse their opportunity but on ratings he picks himself. He’s done nothing wrong and all of his runs have been good, I’ve been on him and I know him well,” Purton said.
Wednesday’s (15 January) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Ice House Handicap (1800m).
By Declan Schuster
