Loveisintheair, the promising three-year-old gelding trained by John Size, is shaping up to be a genuine talent, and jockey Hugh Bowman is optimistic about his continued rise through the ranks. The lightly raced chestnut has shown steady improvement in each of his three outings, and Bowman is confident the upward trend will continue in Wednesday night’s Class 4 The France Galop Cup Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley.
Bowman, a seasoned rider with 58 victories in the Hong Kong season so far, has been carefully guiding Loveisintheair through his early career. The horse’s most recent effort—a close third after a less-than-ideal start—demonstrated his growing maturity and adaptability. Bowman believes there’s still more to come, noting that while the gelding remains a work in progress, the signs are all positive. He’s particularly encouraged by how the horse responds when allowed to build momentum throughout the race.
In that last start at Happy Valley, Loveisintheair encountered a slight setback at the gates but managed to make up ground by weaving through traffic along the rail, nearly nabbing the win. The way he finished strongly despite a slow break has only reinforced Bowman’s belief in the gelding’s potential. While he’s confident the 1200-metre trip is suitable for now, Bowman suggests that a step up in distance—and perhaps a shift to Sha Tin—could be on the cards as the horse develops.
Bowman will be busy on Wednesday night with a total of eight rides, including the dependable Mighty Commander in the Class 4 Saint-Cloud Handicap (1650m). Trained by Caspar Fownes, the gelding has a history of consistent performances. Bowman is hopeful that a favourable draw will allow them to settle in a good position early, setting the stage for another strong showing.
Meanwhile, jockey Keith Yeung is looking to improve on a near-miss with Perfect Pairing, also from the Size stable. In his last outing, Perfect Pairing made a powerful late charge but was boxed in at a crucial moment, forcing Yeung to wait for a clear path. Despite that hiccup, the horse closed impressively and has shown a good affinity for the extended 2200-metre trip in the Class 4 The French May Trophy Handicap.
Luke Ferraris also returns to action aboard Chateauneuf in the Class 3 ParisLongchamp Handicap (1200m). The David Hayes-trained runner showed early speed and led last time out, ultimately finishing a game third. Ferraris noted that the front-running tactic wasn’t originally planned but suited the situation well given the race’s tempo. With a favourable inside gate this time, he’s hoping the race unfolds in a way that allows Chateauneuf to launch another strong effort against rivals like Superb Capitalist and Lucky Planet.
Elsewhere on the card, Harry Bentley partners again with Fortunate Son in the Class 3 Deauville Handicap (1650m). The gelding returned to form with a solid third-place finish on 16 April, and Bentley is looking to replicate that smooth trip. He’s optimistic that if the race plays out similarly, Fortunate Son can deliver another competitive run.
Wednesday night’s action at Happy Valley kicks off with the Class 5 Auteuil Handicap (1650m) at 6.35pm, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting nine-race program filled with progressive horses and seasoned riders eager to make their mark.
