Brenton Avdulla delivered a masterclass at Sha Tin on Sunday (March 2), proving why he is one of Hong Kong’s top jockeys. Despite being restricted to just four rides, the 34-year-old Australian stole the show with a running treble, highlighted by a thrilling win in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) aboard RUBYLOT.
His dominant performance not only showcased his tactical brilliance but also propelled him into third place in the jockeys’ championship with 29 wins, trailing only injured Zac Purton (84) and Hugh Bowman (42). Avdulla’s remarkable day also included victories aboard Young Champion in the Class 2 Tai Hing Handicap (1400m) and Enthralled in the Class 3 Yan Tin Handicap (2000m), further solidifying his status as one of the most in-form riders in Hong Kong.
The HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup was the biggest prize of the day, and Avdulla executed his ride to perfection. Trained by David Hayes, RUBYLOT had shown promise but was unlucky in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, where he finished sixth despite a strong late run. This time, Avdulla ensured there was no repeat of that misfortune. Settling second last, he expertly navigated RUBYLOT through the field, making a crucial decision at the turn. Instead of taking the inside route, he powered around Mickley (Ryan Moore), trusting his mount’s superior finishing speed.
His instincts were spot on. RUBYLOT exploded down the straight, clocking the fastest final 400m sectional (22.30s), and stormed past My Wish (Luke Ferraris) and Johannes Brahms (Karis Teetan) to secure a three-quarter length victory in 1m 46.29s.
Trainer David Hayes was thrilled with the performance and immediately turned his sights to the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 23. “He was the strongest late, and that’s a great sign stepping up to 2000m,” Hayes said. “If you look at this race, the best closers often go on to be Derby winners.”
For Avdulla, this win was particularly satisfying. “Hayesey had the horse spot on today. He had a nice run through, and I was confident at the 250m mark that he would get the job done,” he said. Avdulla wasn’t done yet. His Class 3 Yan Tin Handicap (2000m) win aboard Enthralled further demonstrated his skill in handling stayers. The former Sir Michael Stoute-trained galloper launched a last-to-first charge, a performance that has now put him in the frame for a potential BMW Hong Kong Derby berth.
“I told John (Size) that if we had two more months, he’d be one of the live Derby chances,” Avdulla revealed. Despite the tight schedule, Enthralled’s rapid progress has made him a dark horse for the Derby field. Adding to the success of the day, Young Champion put in a commanding performance in the Class 2 Tai Hing Handicap (1400m), giving Avdulla his third win.
With three wins from four rides, Brenton Avdulla’s performance at Sha Tin was nothing short of spectacular. From tactical patience on Rubylot, to a perfectly-timed surge on Enthralled, and a powerful win with Young Champion, he left an undeniable mark.
Now, with the BMW Hong Kong Derby on the horizon, the “Avdulla Express” is gaining momentum—and there’s no stopping it now!
