Jerry Chau lit up Happy Valley on Wednesday night (11 February), steering home three winners in a display of poise and precision that carried him into fourth in the jockeys’ standings and to the forefront of the Tony Cruz Award contest. Under the glow of the city circuit, the in-form rider once again turned opportunity into impact, strengthening his grip on a season that continues to gather momentum.
The 2026 campaign has barely settled into rhythm, yet Chau has already ridden 12 winners since the turn of the year, eight of them coming in February alone. At a track where timing and nerve are everything, the 27-year-old displayed both in abundance under the city lights.
His evening began with a polished ride aboard David Eustace’s Inno Super (122lb) in the Class 4 Tseuk Luk Handicap (1650m). Settled comfortably before angling into clear air, the four-year-old responded generously to pressure, finally shedding his maiden tag after a string of encouraging efforts.
“He’s been gradually improving with each run,” Eustace said. “Obviously, he got a really nice setup today and a well-timed drive from Jerry. But I felt like he’s put in a winning performance a couple of times this season, so it was nice to get his head in front.
“He’s reasonably versatile now. And I think he can continue to progress,” the trainer added.
Chau’s second winner came in the Class 4 Sze Mei Handicap (1000m), where Bunta Baby (130lb) produced a sharp late burst from midfield. Trapped briefly behind a wall of horses, Chau showed patience before switching out and driving the five-year-old to his second success from 14 starts.
He completed his hat-trick in the second section of the Class 4 Sheung Hei Handicap (1200m), with Flying Wrote (131lb) clinging on gamely as Meowth (135lb) and The Heir (127lb) lunged late. It was a ride defined by balance and resolve, the gelding finding enough under pressure to secure Chau’s third of the night.
“I got very good draws tonight, the horses performed very well and I’m very happy,” Chau said. “I need to thank the owners and trainers for their support of me this season. This month, the draws and races have been going well for me, and I’m very grateful for all of this. Hopefully, the luck keeps coming and I can keep riding more winners.”
Jerry Chau treble at Happy Valley signals title momentum
The significance of the Jerry Chau treble at Happy Valley extends beyond a single meeting. It sends him to Riyadh in buoyant mood, where he partners Man’s Self Improvement in Saturday’s G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1200m) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. For a graduate of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, the international opportunity is another marker of his steady ascent.
Elsewhere on the card, Richard Kingscote enjoyed a double to lift his seasonal tally to seven. Run Run Timing (131lb) delivered just a second win from 29 starts in the Class 5 Ng Fong Handicap (1650m) for Ricky Yiu, before Master Resolute (124lb) struck in the first section of the Class 4 Sheung Hei Handicap (1200m) for Danny Shum.
“The start was very slow with a lot of seconds, which was frustrating, but fortunately, I’ve been able to keep hold of some support and those guys who have kept supporting me are thankfully getting some reward,” Kingscote reflected.
Macanese Master made it two wins from three in the Class 5 Sung Ling Handicap (1000m), surging clear late under Angus Chung for Me Tsui after a trademark front-running display.
Eustace later secured a brace when Mister Dapper captured the feature Class 3 The Consensus Cup Handicap (1650m). Brenton Avdulla drove the son of Tivaci to his fifth Hong Kong win from 28 starts, fending off a determined late charge from Max Que (134lb).
Brett Crawford’s impressive debut Hong Kong campaign continued as Sovereign Fund (126lb) claimed the second section of the Class 3 Sam Chuk Handicap (1200m) under Karis Teetan, while Lucky Planet (126lb) closed the programme in the first section for Cody Mo and Matthew Poon, pulling clear of Beauty Glory (117lb).
Hong Kong racing resumes at Sha Tin on Saturday (14 February), but the headline from this midweek meeting belongs to Jerry Chau and a treble at Happy Valley that could yet prove pivotal in the months ahead.
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