Karis Teetan returned to the winner’s enclosure with renewed confidence at Sha Tin on Sunday, producing two polished rides on a competitive afternoon as preparations intensify for next week’s BMW Hong Kong Derby. The Mauritian jockey, who is set to partner Sagacious Life in the prestigious 2000-metre contest, appeared back in rhythm with a well-timed double during the meeting.
The Mauritian rider, preparing to partner Sagacious Life in the HK$26 million feature over 2000 metres, produced two assured rides during Sunday’s meeting. Teetan guided Chris So-trained Go Go Go to victory in the Class 5 Sa Po Handicap (1650m, dirt) before teaming up with trainer Brett Crawford to score aboard debutant Mr Incredible in the second section of the Class 4 Nga Tsin Wai Handicap (1200m).
The pair of successes lifted Teetan’s seasonal tally to 25 wins and provided timely momentum as he looks to capture the Derby crown once again, having triumphed aboard Romantic Warrior in 2022.
Teetan, who had not visited the winner’s enclosure since mid-February, was pleased to regain form at such an important stage of the season.
“It’s great,” he said after the meeting. “Go Go Go has dropped down in the ratings so much now and Chris freshened him up with a trial. With the weight he carried today he ran a very good race.”
The rider was equally encouraged by the performance of Mr Incredible, a three-year-old who showed determination to break through at the first time of asking.
“He’s a smart little horse and we’ve been doing plenty of work with him. He had to dig deep and come through a narrow gap, but he won nicely,” Teetan added.
Trainer Brett Crawford echoed that optimism, noting the youngster’s promising future despite his relative inexperience.
“He’s shown very good trials but he’s still a big baby,” Crawford said. “He only found clear running in the final 200 metres but he’s a horse with plenty of potential and the owners should enjoy him. He’s only three and we’ll take things step by step.”
Elsewhere in the Hong Kong race results 15 March, jockey Keith Yeung also enjoyed a memorable afternoon with a double of his own for trainer Francis Lui.
Yeung first partnered Call Me Sparkle to success in the opening division of the Class 4 Nga Tsin Wai Handicap (1200m). The pair returned to the spotlight later when Turquoise Velocity dead-heated with We Are Hero, ridden by Jerry Chau, in the Class 3 Lok Sing Tong Cup Handicap (1000m).
The victories strengthened Lui’s position in the trainers’ standings as the season progresses. With promising young horses in his stable, the experienced trainer remains hopeful of mounting a strong challenge in the months ahead.
“He’s a nice horse,” Lui said of Call Me Sparkle. “With a young horse it is important to have a good draw like he had. He finished strongly and I think he will improve further. I like the attitude he showed.”
David Hall was another trainer to strike twice during the programme. Nezha, ridden by James Orman, delivered a powerful late burst to claim the Class 3 Nam Kok Handicap (1650m, dirt), while Thunder Blaze surged along the rail under Matthew Poon to capture the Class 3 Junction Handicap over the same distance.
John Size also enjoyed a productive afternoon. The champion trainer saw Endeared, guided by Zac Purton, take the second section of the Class 4 Lung Kong Handicap (1400m) before Fit For Beauty, partnered by Andrea Atzeni, scored in the Class 3 Carpenter Handicap over the same trip.
Chris So added another success when Harry Bentley steered Devas Twelve to victory in the opening division of the Class 4 Lung Kong Handicap (1400m). Bentley later completed a double aboard Smart Golf in the Class 3 Kowloon City Handicap (1200m).
Earlier on the card, Majestic Knight, trained by David Eustace and ridden by Hugh Bowman, made full use of the inside draw to land the Class 5 South Wall Handicap (1200m).
With several riders and trainers hitting form, attention now turns to next weekend’s BMW Hong Kong Derby, where Teetan hopes his timely return to the winner’s circle will translate into another landmark success.
Racing in Hong Kong continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (18 March).
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