Derek Leung is heading into this weekend’s Group 3 feature at Sha Tin riding high on confidence after an impressive treble at Happy Valley. With three well-timed victories on Wednesday night, the seasoned Hong Kong jockey reaffirmed his place among the leading contenders for the prestigious Tony Cruz Award, just as he gears up for a pivotal ride aboard Lucky Sweynesse in Saturday’s HK$4.2 million Sha Tin Vase Handicap.
Leung’s winning spree began with a strong performance on Wood On Fire, a nine-year-old veteran who proved he still has a turn of foot by securing his eighth career win. Despite his age, the consistent gelding continues to deliver, reflecting both durability and skilled management under trainer Michael Chang.
The momentum carried forward as Leung partnered with Ricky Yiu to guide Prestige Gold to a convincing win over 1650m. Known for his thoughtful approach, Leung ensured the gelding was fully switched on before the jump, which paid dividends in a polished finish. Later in the evening, the duo returned to the winner’s enclosure with Gracious Express, sealing Leung’s treble with a well-judged ride in the Class 3 Seine Handicap.
These results bring Leung’s season tally to 26 wins, keeping him in striking distance of Matthew Poon and Matthew Chadwick in the homegrown jockey standings. With each victory, the competition for the Tony Cruz Award grows more compelling.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s Group 3 contest, Leung will take the reins of Lucky Sweynesse for the first time. A multiple Group 1 winner, the gelding appears to be regaining his spark following a lengthy break. Leung’s recent trackwork sessions aboard him have been promising, with the horse showing signs of readiness and his trademark intelligence. The pairing faces a formidable field, including top-tier rivals such as Victor The Winner, Invincible Sage, and the ever-consistent Helios Express.
Elsewhere on the Happy Valley card, Hugh Bowman made his mark with a double. He guided Young Arrow to victory in the Ciron Handicap, rewarding Douglas Whyte’s faith in the horse’s ability to perform at a higher level. With a drop in class and a tactically astute ride, the win appeared inevitable. Bowman then made it two in quick succession aboard Jumbo Legend, a Caspar Fownes trainee who executed a powerful late surge to take out the Rhine Handicap.
The wins were particularly meaningful for Fownes, who now sits just one win behind Mark Newnham in the Happy Valley trainers’ tally. Fownes also enjoyed success with Sky Vino earlier in the night, giving apprentice Ellis Wong a double – a noteworthy achievement for the young rider.
Trainer John Size further strengthened his lead in the championship race over David Hayes. Ping Hai Comet’s win over 2200m under Matthew Chadwick was another highlight of the night, showcasing Size’s expertise with stayers. With just 13 meetings remaining in the season, the battle for supremacy among trainers is heating up.
There was also celebration for Jerry Chau and Manfred Man as Vigor Ellegant broke his maiden at the tenth attempt. The late-finishing effort in the second section of the Class 5 Dordogne Handicap was worth the wait for connections. Rounding out the evening, Ellis Wong piloted Bits Superstar to victory for Pierre Ng, underscoring the growing influence of younger riders on the circuit.
With momentum building and the Sha Tin Vase just days away, all eyes will be on Derek Leung and Lucky Sweynesse. Their partnership could well be one of the defining moments of this Hong Kong racing season.
