Matthew Poon walked back to scale on Wednesday night with the kind of weary smile that comes only from relief — and a touch of belief. In front of a packed Happy Valley crowd, the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship chase finally sparked into an emotional, head-to-head fight, and Poon was right in the centre of it. His well-earned double not only lifted his tally to six for the season but also reminded racing fans that momentum, once found, can change everything.
Poon has worked harder than most for this moment. It took him 70 rides just to get on the board this campaign, but he has now delivered in five of the past six meetings. As the pressure intensifies with the 26 November cut-off looming, the rider from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Apprentice School kept his focus simple: “Ride winners first; think about the LONGINES IJC later.”
Poon Lands a Vital Early Double
The night began perfectly for Poon when Lucky Blessing clung on bravely to land the Class 5 Bedford Handicap (1650m) for trainer Cody Mo, finally breaking through at start 13. His follow-up success came swiftly — and impressively — when Double Bingo unleashed a perfectly timed surge to win the Class 5 Cheong Wan Handicap (1200m) for Me Tsui, denying Hugh Bowman and Riding High in the final strides.
“I was keen to win on him. I’ve had seconds and thirds, so it feels great to finally get him home,” Poon said, still buzzing from the momentum swing.
Ho, Yeung, and Ferraris Keep IJC Hopes Alive
But Poon was not the only rider throwing punches in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship qualification fight.
Vincent Ho, the former IJC champion and Poon’s closest rival for the freelance jockey spot, answered immediately by guiding Turin Warrior to victory in the Class 4 Chinese General Chamber Of Commerce 125th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1650m).
Keith Yeung reignited his own slim qualification hopes with a surprise win aboard Team Team Folks in the second section of the Class 4 Fat Tseung Handicap (1200m), while Luke Ferraris collected his fourth win of the season on King Oberon in the first section of the same race — a tough, grinding display that confirmed the gelding’s affinity for the Valley.
Chung, Purton, Yiu, Ting Also on Target
Angus Chung continued his steady rise, guiding Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Glory to a determined win in the second section of the Class 4 Cheung Shun Handicap (1650m), fending off Zac Purton late.
Purton quickly struck back, lifting Chateauneuf to victory in the Class 3 Fife Handicap (1200m), extending his championship lead and helping trainer David Hayes close the gap in the trainers’ standings.
Ricky Yiu and Ellis Wong combined to snatch a thrilling nose-and-neck finish with Awesome Fluke in the Class 3 Hing Yip Handicap (1800m), before Alexis Badel and Huge Wave closed the programme stylishly by winning the Class 2 Shing Yip Handicap (1650m), completing a double on the night for trainer Jimmy Ting.
Hong Kong racing now shifts to Sha Tin on Saturday (15 November), with the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship narrative set for an even fiercer turn.
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