Raging Blizzard produced a determined late surge to claim the HK$5.35 million G2 Lukfook Jewellery Premier Bowl Handicap over 1200 metres at Sha Tin on Sunday, 25 October 2026, earning another opportunity to take on Ka Ying Rising in the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint in December. The seven-year-old gave trainer John Size his fifth victory in the Premier Bowl, rewarding a consistent campaign with a well-timed success.
Patiently ridden by Brenton Avdulla, Raging Blizzard settled towards the rear before making his move in the closing stages. Ka Ying Attack had established a three-length advantage at the 300-metre mark, but the leader could not withstand the winner’s finishing effort. Raging Blizzard surged through the final furlong to prevail by a head, with Crimson Flash finishing another neck away in third. The winning time was 1 minute 7.71 seconds.
The victory was particularly satisfying for Size, whose previous Premier Bowl winners were Rich Unicorn in 2011, Mr Stunning in 2017, Hot King Prawn in 2018 and Sight Success in 2023.
Raging Blizzard had finished second to Ka Ying Rising in the 2025 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint. His latest performance strengthened the prospect of another meeting between the pair as the Hong Kong season moves towards its major international contests.
Raging Blizzard’s Premier Bowl Victory Sets Up Sprint Challenge
Size highlighted the horse’s consistency and the quality of opposition encountered throughout his career, describing the result as a deserved reward for his persistence.
The trainer also acknowledged the patience shown by the connections, who had continued to support the horse through repeated challenges against leading performers. Raging Blizzard’s temperament, soundness and condition had remained important strengths, even when victory against the strongest opposition proved elusive.
The win took his career earnings to HK$26.24 million and improved his record to seven victories from 30 starts.
His next assignment is expected to be the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint over 1200 metres on 22 November. The race will also mark the competitive return of Ka Ying Rising to Hong Kong racing, providing a significant test ahead of the international meeting on 13 December.
Avdulla, who regards Raging Blizzard as one of his favourite horses, was rewarded for a measured ride with an impressive finishing performance. The winner covered his final 400 metres in 22.02 seconds, producing the acceleration needed to overhaul Ka Ying Attack.
For Avdulla, the victory carried particular significance after several seasons of competing against the leading sprinters without frequently finding the winner’s enclosure with the seven-year-old. The Australian jockey also recorded a double on the card, partnering Pocketing to victory for trainer David Hayes.
Pocketing Opens Hong Kong Account at Sha Tin
Pocketing, carrying 127lb, secured his first Hong Kong victory in the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Miss Hong Kong Love Yourself Collection Handicap over 2000 metres. The four-race Australian winner, previously successful in the G2 Tulloch Stakes for Richard and Will Freedman, benefited from a solid pace before finishing strongly under Avdulla.
The performance also earned Pocketing a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million.
Apprentice Nichola Yuen and Jerry Chau recorded doubles, while trainers Pierre Ng, Caspar Fownes and Ricky Yiu each enjoyed two winners during the meeting.
Ng maintained his position at the top of the 2026/27 trainers’ championship through victories for Storm Mirror and Smart Fat Cat. Storm Mirror won the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Heirloom Fortune Collection Handicap over 1400 metres under Yuen, while Smart Fat Cat broke through for success in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Love Is Beauty Collection Handicap over 1600 metres with Karis Teetan aboard.
Fownes matched Ng’s double through Tycoon Express and Megastar Heart. Ellis Wong partnered Tycoon Express to victory in the Class 5 Lukfook Jewellery Wedding Collection Handicap over 1400 metres. Megastar Heart, ridden by Luke Ferraris, established a new Class 3 record of 1 minute 7.75 seconds in the Lukfook Jewellery Longmen Vajra Collection Handicap over 1200 metres.
Ng led the championship with 14 victories, followed by Fownes on 13. David Hayes, David Eustace and Manfred Man were level on 10 wins apiece.
Ricky Yiu Celebrates Two Winners as Ka Ying Lightning Stays Unbeaten
Yiu’s double came through Chill Easy and Packing Glory. Chill Easy won the Class 2 Lukfook Joaillerie Handicap over 1600 metres under Chau, earning a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million. Packing Glory, partnered by Yuen, captured the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Beloved Collection Handicap over 1400 metres in a class-record time of 1 minute 20.51 seconds.
Yuen moved to 13 wins for the campaign, placing second in the jockeys’ standings behind nine-time Hong Kong champion Zac Purton, who had 26 victories. Vincent Ho followed with 12.
Another notable performance came from Ka Ying Lightning, who preserved an unbeaten record in the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Night Banquet In Tang Palace Collection Handicap over 1000 metres. Trained by David Hall and ridden by Andrea Atzeni, the four-year-old son of All Too Hard completed the race in 56.16 seconds to record a third victory from as many starts.
James Cummings and Purton combined to win the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Diabling Shimmering Gold Collection Handicap over 1200 metres with Speedy Power.
Earlier, Danny Shum enjoyed success with debutant Happy Pegasus, who won the Class 4 restricted Lukfook Jewellery Rhapsody On The Luo River Goddess Collection Handicap over 1200 metres under Chau.
The Sha Tin meeting offered a mixture of established performers, emerging talent and record-breaking displays. Raging Blizzard’s Premier Bowl success, however, provided the day’s central storyline, with the December sprint programme now firmly in view.
Hong Kong racing will resume at Sha Tin on Wednesday night, 28 October 2026.
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