It was a day of milestones and masterclasses at Sha Tin on Saturday, as veteran trainer Manfred Man etched his name into Hong Kong racing history with his 700th career win, while young jockey Luke Ferraris stole the show with a stunning treble.
For Man, a former champion apprentice whose most memorable success came aboard Go-Getter in the 1979 QEII Cup, the landmark victory with Ruby Sailing was a quietly triumphant moment. The 68-year-old, who has trained since 2001, kept his characteristic humility, acknowledging the effort of the horse rather than dwelling on personal glory.
“I feel happy, of course, because this horse has had two operations on his throat and still manages to win,” Man said, reflecting on Ruby Sailing, who carried 110lb to a narrow victory under apprentice Britney Wong. “Racing is racing.”
The win places Man alongside an elite group of trainers who have reached 700 winners or more in Hong Kong, including John Size (1,614), Tony Cruz (1,573), Caspar Fownes (1,173), and Ricky Yiu (1,068). Over the years, Man has also produced Group 1 winners Lucky Sweynesse and Eagle Regiment, marking him as a consistent force in the territory.
While Man celebrated a career-defining achievement, 23-year-old Luke Ferraris took centre stage in the afternoon races, completing his third treble in Hong Kong. Ferraris opened the day aboard Yoda’s Choice in the Class 5 Tung Chung Handicap (1650m, dirt), claiming Pierre Ng’s first win of the season. He then combined with David Hayes-trained horses Decrelot (1400m) and Precision Goal (1650m, dirt) to complete the treble, showcasing composure and tactical flair.
“Decrelot hasn’t always been the easiest, but he put it all together today,” Ferraris said. “Yoda’s Choice likes to lead and go through the gears freely. Precision Goal is a real soldier — David Hayes does an amazing job keeping older horses happy and competitive.”
Ferraris’ dominance was eventually halted by fellow South Africans Lyle Hewitson and Douglas Whyte, who teamed up with Strathpeffer in the first section of the Class 4 Pak Tam Au Handicap (1400m). Meanwhile, trainer Mark Newnham made headlines by producing the first three finishers in the Class 2 High West Handicap (1650m, dirt) with Sing Dragon, Talents Ambition, and Mojave Desert, collectively earning HK$2.76 million.
Other highlights included Bulb General’s success for Jamie Richards and Zac Purton in the Class 3 Tung Lung Chau Handicap (1200m), moving the gelding closer to the lucrative Four-Year-Old Classic Series, and Me Tsui’s Wonderstar securing a HK$1.5 million PP Bonus in the Class 3 The Association Of Hong Kong Racing Journalists 40th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1000m).
From career milestones to tactical masterclasses, Saturday’s Sha Tin meeting offered racing fans a blend of emotion, skill, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The action continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, promising another week of thrilling Hong Kong racing.
Read the full Hong Kong racing coverage and stay tuned to RaceBuzz for more interesting horse racing updates.
