Admirably consistent across his 35-start career, Jumbo Legend (119lb) added another string to his bow this evening (Wednesday, 2 April) at Happy Valley with a stamina testing success in the Class 3 Hanshin Handicap (2200m).
Racing beyond 1800m for the first time after four wins at the city circuit – twice at 1200m and 1650m, trainer Caspar Fownes’ six-year-old showcased ample staying power by producing a neck victory over Fallon (126lb) with jockey Harry Bentley.
Settled close to the rear throughout the contest, Bentley swung his mount into clear air with 300m left to run. Angling into the open, the bay overhauled Fallon tenaciously in 2m 14.18s with Charity Gain (121lb) grinding into third a further three lengths away.
“Stepping up in distance was a slight question mark. He always finishes his race out so well, so it looked to be suitable. I was happy with how he came into it and he relaxed beautifully,” Bentley said. “Fallon really stuck his head out and obviously the weight played a bit of a part but take nothing away from this lad’s victory.”
Jumbo Legend boasts HK$6.92 million earnings for Fownes, who said: “He’s a very honest horse. He ran a good race last start with good sectionals over 1800 metres. We felt that he could get any distance from a mile to 2000 and 2200 tonight.”
Concluding his six-week short-term Hong Kong contract this evening along with Declan McDonogh, Richard Kingscote exulted with his first Happy Valley win aboard Giant Leap in the second section of the Class 4 Nakayama Handicap (1200m) for trainer Ricky Yiu.
“I’m really happy. Obviously, tonight’s my last night, so it’s nice to get another one. I’m very grateful to Ricky and his team – they’ve supported me a lot since I’ve been here. It’s good,” Kingscote said.
Kingscote rode a treble last Wednesday (26 March) from three rides at Sha Tin’s all-dirt fixture, while McDonogh departs with the one win at Happy Valley on 5 March.
Following 10 wins through March, Andrea Atzeni extended his sparkling run as Crystal Powerful (121lb) landed the Class 4 Japan Racing Association Trophy Handicap (1000m) for trainer Cody Mo from gate two, edging past a hard Plentiful (126lb) by a short head.
Atzeni said: “It’s not a surprise to see him win. He won in Class 4 last year and dropping him back to 1000 (metres) is sort of the key to him – he’s showing more speed this year and he’s won both times but the draw has been a big help. Both times he’s had a good draw, good trip and he’s won but you can’t take anything away from him.”
Atzeni strengthened his grip on third place in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with a double after scoring on Fownes-trained Kaholo Angel in the Class 3 Kyoto Handicap (1200m), boosting his haul to 38 for the term to trail only Zac Purton (88 wins) and Hugh Bowman (52).
Keagan De Melo and Chris So continued a fruitful union by grabbing their sixth win in tandem this season with three-year-old Top Time’s triumph in the first section of the Class 4 Chukyo Handicap (1650m).
“Chris has been really good to me. I’m just really thankful because you need someone who relies on you a little bit,” De Melo said. “He’s still a young horse but I thought that was a very good win.”
Dragon Four Seas skipped up the inside for a second straight win in the first section of the Class 4 Nakayama Handicap (1200m) under Bowman for trainer Manfred Man.
Hard Spun gelding Highland Rahy lowered Flying Elite’s long-held Class 4 1650m course record (1m 38.83s) set in 2013 to 1m 38.42s with an all-the-way victory in the second section of the Chukyo Handicap under Lyle Hewitson for trainer Francis Lui.
“He galloped strongly and got stronger through the race. He had a breather up the hill (back straight) and then put the pressure on again. I felt him come to me this time, it just felt like he might have kicked a little better,” Hewitson said. “He was tough to the line.”
Golden Darci soared from last-to-first to land the Class 5 Niigata Handicap (1200m) with jockey James Orman for trainer Douglas Whyte. Orman secured his third win this term.
“It was going to be hard from that barrier (12) but it worked out pretty good for us. He just came around them and he was too good,” Orman said.
Purton and Pierre Ng combined for their eighth victory of the season when Aestheticism overpowered his rivals to clinch the Class 3 Tokyo Handicap (1650m). All four of Aestheticism’s career wins have come under seven-time Hong Kong champion Purton.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin this Sunday (6 April).
By Declan Schuster
