Michael Chang reached the 400-win landmark in Hong Kong racing with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, 7 October, while Manfred Man moved to the top of the trainers’ championship after another productive meeting.
Chang’s milestone came through New Power and Kwai Chung Talents, giving the veteran trainer a second double in as many meetings and taking his season tally to six wins. For Chang, who has spent more than two decades as a licensed trainer, the achievement was as much about longevity as the numbers.
“After 20 years, I’m still standing here. That’s a big achievement,” Chang said, reflecting on his career and the strength of the Hong Kong racing community. “I love horse racing, I love horses, I love my job and I’m proud of myself as a Hong Kong trainer.”
Chang’s path to the landmark was a long one. A former jockey, he worked as an assistant to Gary Ng before later serving under Alex Wong, David Hayes and Sean Woods. He received his full training licence in the 2005/06 season and has since built a career marked by consistency and notable international success.
One of the highlights came in 2014, when Rich Tapestry became the first and only Hong Kong-trained horse to win a race in the United States, taking a Grade 1 sprint in California.
Hong Kong racing milestone arrives with a second double
New Power, carrying 126lb, began Chang’s successful evening in the second section of the Class 4 Cheung Fat Handicap over 1200 metres. Keith Yeung produced the ride, with Chang registering his third victory from five starts with the horse.
Chang had originally intended to run New Power on Sunday, but a previous suspensory problem meant the horse was given time to recover.
“He is very honest,” Chang said. “Now, he is fresh, his preparation is good, and the jockey did a perfect run.”
Chang then completed his double when Kwai Chung Talents, carrying 119lb, won the first section of the same 1200-metre contest, again with Yeung in the saddle.
While Chang celebrated his landmark, Man moved to 10 wins for the season and took the lead in the trainers’ championship, another sign of the competitive nature of Hong Kong racing. Man also recorded a double through Golden Fortune and Bright Day.
Golden Fortune, carrying 127lb, broke through at the 13th attempt with Brenton Avdulla aboard in the Class 5 Bedford Handicap over 1800 metres. Man then added the second section of the Class 3 Yip Fat Handicap over 1200 metres with Bright Day, ridden by Derek Leung.
Purton strengthens jockeys’ lead
Zac Purton strengthened his position at the top of the jockeys’ championship with a double aboard Sunday’s Serenade and Absolute Honour. After nine completed meetings, Purton has 16 wins, seven clear of Derek Leung on nine, with Vincent Ho and Nichola Yuen next on eight each.
Jamie Richards praised Purton’s ride on Sunday’s Serenade, who recorded a third course-and-distance success in the second section of the Class 4 Fat Tseung Handicap over 1650 metres.
Richards highlighted Purton’s ability to secure a favourable position from a wide draw before producing the decisive finish. The trainer also credited the rehabilitation work carried out at Conghua after the horse had suffered a knee injury.
Frankie Lor was equally impressed after Purton partnered Absolute Honour to victory in the first section of the same 1650-metre contest. Lor noted that the slow early pace allowed the horse to conserve energy before producing a strong final 400 metres.
Breakthrough victories add to the evening
Georgian Sigma provided Angus Chung and Tony Cruz with their first victories of the season in the Class 4 Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Cup Handicap over 1000 metres.
Chung had endured a month without a winner but remained confident that his horses were progressing. Georgian Sigma’s consistency finally translated into a breakthrough victory.
Cruz was equally pleased with the result, pointing to the horse’s improving form and a favourable draw.
Caspar Fownes also completed a double. Audacious Pursuit, partnered by Ellis Wong, won the Class 3 Hing Fat Handicap over 1650 metres in a class-record time of 1 minute 38.30 seconds after coming from the rear of the field.
Later in the programme, Vincent Ho completed the double for Fownes aboard The Heir in the first section of the Class 3 Yip Fat Handicap over 1200 metres.
The victory capped an important week for Ho and underlined the depth of Hong Kong racing. On Tuesday, 6 October, he became the first racing person to be named among Hong Kong’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons, recognised for achievements in racing, his pursuit of excellence and contribution to society.
The Hong Kong season continues at Sha Tin on Sunday, 11 October.
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