John Size reminded Hong Kong racing of his enduring class and patience with a four-timer at Sha Tin Race course on Sunday, highlighted by the successful return of Sky Jewellery and an eye-catching debut from Nautical Force, while Zac Purton reached 100 winners for the season for the 10th consecutive campaign.
The latest Sha Tin meeting carried significance at both ends of the championship tables. Size, chasing a 14th trainers’ title, moved to 40 wins for the 2025/26 season. He remains in pursuit of Caspar Fownes, with Mark Newnham, Danny Shum, David Hayes and Francis Lui also closely involved as the campaign enters its decisive stretch.
The headline performance came from Sky Jewellery, who had not raced since April last year and returned from a 378-day absence to win the Class 3 Helping Older Adults Age Handicap over 1400 metres under Hugh Bowman. The gelding had been sidelined after a bleeding episode following a barrier trial in November, making the comeback all the more notable.
Settled well back in ninth turning for home, Sky Jewellery produced a sharp finishing burst, clocking 22.51 seconds for the final 400 metres before stopping the clock at 1:20.92. It was the run of a horse whose ability had never been in doubt, only his opportunity.
Size, never one for unnecessary flourish, was pleased but measured afterward. He said it was satisfying to see the horse return in that manner, while noting the stable would continue to manage him carefully in the months ahead.
Nautical Force was scarcely less impressive. Making his first Hong Kong appearance, the former Irish-trained gelding came from the rear of the field to land the Class 2 Fostering An Enabling And Inclusive Society Handicap over 1800 metres. His final 400 metres of 22.46 seconds marked him as a horse of considerable promise.
Previously successful twice in Ireland for Johnny Murtagh, Nautical Force now looks a valuable addition to the Size yard. The trainer described him as a neat, athletic type likely to improve further with racing in Hong Kong.
Earlier on the card, Noble Deluxe secured his second course-and-distance victory in the Class 5 Supporting Sports All Around Handicap over 1200 metres on dirt, while Must Go completed the quartet in the Class 3 Lifting Every Young Life Handicap, also over 1200 metres on dirt.
Purton’s milestone arrived aboard Gold Patch, who battled strongly to take the Class 3 Enabling Professionals To Flourish For Their Charge Handicap over 1200 metres for Francis Lui. The Australian, already one of the most decorated riders in the city’s history, has now reached a century of winners in a season 11 times overall.
The 43-year-old first achieved the mark in 2013/14 and has continued to compile extraordinary numbers since, building a career total that edges ever closer to another historic landmark.
Caspar Fownes regained the lead in the trainers’ standings when Target Audience made all to win the Class 4 Enabling A Sustainable Future Handicap over 1200 metres on dirt. The returnee had not been seen for 280 days and overcame previous leg issues to score fresh.
Frankie Lor’s Absolute Honour finally broke through at his 18th Hong Kong start in the Class 4 Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy Handicap over 1600 metres. Formerly known as Surpass when trained by Aidan O’Brien in Ireland, he enjoyed an ideal passage before asserting late.
Apprentice Britney Wong enjoyed a memorable double, guiding Foremost Teddy to success in the Class 5 Racing For Charity Handicap over 1800 metres on dirt before adding the Class 4 Promoting Health For All Handicap over 1000 metres aboard Parents’ Love.
There were further victories for Proud Box, trained by Chris So and ridden by Harry Bentley, in the Class 4 Embracing Success In Its Many Ways Handicap over 1400 metres, while Blossomy finished strongly under Andrea Atzeni to take the Class 4 Enriching Lives Through Arts And Culture Handicap over 1650 metres on dirt for Manfred Man.
Hong Kong racing now switches to Happy Valley on Wednesday night, where the next chapter of the season’s title race will unfold.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to racebuzz