Nichola Yuen has made an impressive start to her first full season of riding in Hong Kong and will look to maintain that momentum when she takes five mounts at Happy Valley on Wednesday, October 7. The 26-year-old apprentice has already registered eight victories from 45 rides, giving her a 17.8 per cent win strike rate and placing her second among the apprentices after the opening eight fixtures.
Yuen’s early campaign has included her first treble in Hong Kong, while six of her eight wins have come during the past four race meetings. The recent run has provided the apprentice with a growing sense of confidence as she continues to make her mark at the city circuit.
“Winning is the most enjoyable thing, especially for my boss, Ricky Yiu. Hopefully, there’s more to come,” Yuen said.
She also credited the experience gained during her overseas training, along with the support she has received since returning to Hong Kong.
“Even though I’m now claiming seven pounds, the ball keeps rolling, and I am very happy about that. I’m grateful for all of the opportunities and support I have received.”
Nichola Yuen Has Five Happy Valley Mounts
Yuen will have a ride in each of Wednesday’s Class 3 contests, partnering Flying Wrote at 130lb, Run Run Smart at 123lb and Prestige Always at 126lb. Her seven-pound allowance will apply to each of those mounts.
She will also partner Ricky Yiu-trained Hayday at 129lb in the second section of the Class 4 Cheung Fat Handicap over 1200 metres.
Hayday has already won three times over the Happy Valley course and distance and will break from barrier four as the front-running performer bids for a fifth Class 4 success. Wednesday will mark his first start with Yuen aboard.
“He’s very fit at the moment, and I am very happy with his work. He has a good draw,” Yuen said.
The apprentice will then reunite with Prestige Always in the card-closing Class 3 Yip Fat Handicap over 1200 metres. Drawn three, the pair will aim for a third consecutive victory together.
Prestige Always has already shown his ability to handle a rise in grade, having won despite stepping up in class last time.
“He’s very honest. He was up in class last start, but he still won pretty easily. When I gave him the signal, he hit the line strongly,” Yuen said.
“He’s a very easy horse to ride – you can just sit behind the pace. We have a good draw tomorrow, so I’m expecting him to run a good race.”
Yuen’s development has been shaped by an extensive period of overseas training. Before returning to Hong Kong, she spent time in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as part of her apprenticeship with The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School.
Lor Looks for Improvement from Absolute Honour
Frankie Lor will also head into Wednesday’s programme with confidence after recording a double on Sunday afternoon.
Lor is hoping Absolute Honour can produce an improved performance in the first section of the Class 4 Fat Tseung Handicap over 1650 metres. The six-year-old will carry 126lb under Zac Purton and returns after two barrier trials.
“He’s trialled good,” Lor said.
“He usually jumps fast and if he can be midfield or forward, it would be better, but I’ll leave it to the jockey because he has drawn 10. I think he still has a little bit of improvement.”
Golden Ace Set for Happy Valley Test
Golden Ace will make his Happy Valley debut in the Class 4 Chinese General Chamber Of Commerce Cup Handicap over 1000 metres.
The Caspar Fownes-trained runner made a strong impression on debut at Sha Tin in July when finishing third. He will start from barrier nine on Wednesday with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle.
Avdulla believes the gelding has plenty of room for improvement following his first experience at the races and a recent trial.
“He did a good job on debut. The horse looked pretty lost for the first half of the race, but he closed off pretty well,” Avdulla said.
“Caspar’s decided to try him around the Valley and we know how effective his horses can be there.”
Golden Ace was not ideally positioned during his latest trial but continued to show enough to suggest that experience will benefit him.
“He trialled okay – he was wide and got a bit lost, but he’ll take good improvement off it, and I’m still trying to learn about him. He’s only had the one start and I am sure whatever he does on Wednesday night he will improve on.”
Wednesday’s nine-race Happy Valley programme will begin at 6.35pm with the Class 5 Bedford Handicap over 1800 metres, with Yuen among the riders looking to continue a strong early-season run.
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