When Brett Crawford watched Encountered surge home under Karis Teetan’s determined drive at Sha Tin, it was more than just another race win — it was a story of friendship, perseverance, and the fulfilment of a dream that had travelled all the way from South Africa to Hong Kong.
The South African trainer, still in the early days of his Hong Kong chapter, celebrated his most significant success yet as Encountered (115lb) captured the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) in dramatic fashion on Sunday (9 November). The HK$4.2 million feature saw the pair edge out Happy Together (129lb) by a short head, with Moments In Time (127lb) in third, clocking 1m 47.35s before a 34,784-strong Sha Tin crowd.
“It’s something you couldn’t script,” Crawford said with visible emotion. “He’s actually very similar to a Group 1 horse Karis rode at home, named Jackson — same frame, same feel — and it brought back a lot of memories. The team has worked so hard on this horse. To win a Group 3 here, in my first season, is just amazing.”
Teetan, too, was moved by the moment. “Brett gave me my start back in South Africa,” he reflected. “He didn’t just teach me to be a jockey — he taught me how to be a person. To come here, all these years later, and win this race for him means so much.”
Emotional Reunion in Victory
Encountered’s win in the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse was a perfect blend of strategy and heart. Settled midfield early, Teetan brought his mount through the pack with perfect timing, storming home in 23.36s to reclaim the same race he won in 2023. Eleven LONGINES Hong Kong International Races nominees were among the opposition, but none could match the six-year-old gelding’s late surge.
Crawford said Encountered’s next step might be the HK$40 million LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) on 14 December — though the decision will depend on how he recovers.
“We’ll go one race at a time,” Crawford said. “He feels his runs. We’ll enjoy this one and decide later.”
Familiar Faces Return to Form
It was also a day of revival for John Size, who broke a long drought with a treble. The 13-time champion trainer sent out Sight Hermoso, Ka Ying Power, and Szeryng to victory, signalling that his stable’s typical November momentum had arrived.
“Everyone knows we start the season quietly,” Size said. “But as long as the horses start to find form when it matters, we’re happy.”
Elsewhere, Circuit Grand Slam (119lb) made a dazzling Hong Kong debut for Manfred Man and Britney Wong, storming from last to first in the Class 3 Canmake Tokyo Handicap (1200m). The son of No Nay Never — a full brother to Group 1 winner Blackbeard — also collected a HK$1.5 million PP Bonus alongside the winner’s purse.
Wong, who guided the gelding to victory, said: “He was very green but full of class. We didn’t force him early, just let him travel — and he showed what he can do.”
Stars Rise Across the Card
Dennis Yip continued his solid season with a double through Super Love (Hugh Bowman) and Thriving Brothers (Matthew Chadwick). David Eustace’s Light Years Charm gave Zac Purton a second win on the day after a brave success in the Class 2 Santa Monica Handicap (1400m).
Meanwhile, Matthew Poon marked his 32nd birthday with a determined victory on Mr Good Vibes for David Hall in the Class 5 L’Oreal Paris Handicap (1600m), before The Auspicious (James Orman) capped the meeting with a tight success in the Class 4 La Estephe Handicap (1600m).
Hong Kong racing resumes at Happy Valley on Wednesday (12 November), where Teetan and Crawford will look to build on their emotional Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse triumph.
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