Nichola Yuen continued her impressive rise in Hong Kong racing with a second treble of the 2026/27 season at Sha Tin on Wednesday, 28 October. The 26-year-old apprentice produced three winners on the all-dirt card to strengthen her position in second place in the jockeys’ championship, underlining the progress she has made in the early stages of the campaign.
Yuen now has 16 wins from 91 rides this season, trailing only nine-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton, who leads the standings with 26 victories. With Purton serving a suspension, the apprentice made the most of her opportunities, combining patience and determination to register another significant milestone in her developing career.
Her three winners were Macanese Master for trainer Me Tsui in the Class 5 Tsim Mei Fung Handicap over 1200 metres, Yoda’s Choice for Pierre Ng in the Class 4 Tiu Yue Yung Handicap over 1800 metres, and Giant Leap for Ricky Yiu in the second section of the Class 4 Shek Uk Shan Handicap over 1200 metres. Yuen’s 7lb apprentice allowance also proved an important advantage on a productive evening.
Nichola Yuen’s Sha Tin Treble Reflects Growing Confidence
Yuen credited the support of trainers and the guidance of her master, Ricky Yiu, for helping her maintain momentum.
“I’m very happy with all the opportunities I’m getting,” she said. “I’m getting good rides and good support from a lot of trainers and also my master Mr Ricky Yiu. He teaches me a lot and hopefully we can have more wins.”
She added that she was pleased with the way her season was progressing and hoped to continue making the most of the opportunities available to her.
The latest treble represents another encouraging step for Yuen as she pursues further success in a competitive championship. With 16 winners already on the board, her consistent progress has established her as one of the leading apprentices in the current Hong Kong season.
Pierre Ng Extends Lead in Trainers’ Championship
Pierre Ng also enjoyed a productive evening as Yoda’s Choice secured victory in the Class 4 Tiu Yue Yung Handicap over 1800 metres. The result improved the runner’s overall record to four wins and eight minor placings from 37 starts, following a return from knee surgery in June.
Ng explained that the horse had undergone an operation to remove a chipped bone after winning last season. Although two trials had prepared the runner for the return, the trainer had not expected complete fitness.
The performance nevertheless showed sufficient freshness and determination to secure the win, and Ng believes further improvement will follow.
The victory lifted Ng to 15 wins for the campaign, giving him a two-win advantage over Caspar Fownes in the trainers’ championship.
Britney Wong Opens Her Season’s Account
Apprentice Britney Wong also had reason to celebrate after Happydearhappydeer won the second section of the Class 5 Wa Mei Shan Handicap over 1650 metres for trainer Tony Cruz. The victory was Wong’s first of the 2026/27 campaign.
Wong acknowledged that the wait for a winner had tested her patience, but said conversations with fellow jockeys, trainers and instructors at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Apprentice Jockeys’ School had helped her maintain perspective.
She specifically acknowledged the guidance of Amy Chan, the school’s headmistress, and Felix Coetzee, its chief riding instructor. Their support helped reinforce the importance of remaining focused through the inevitable highs and lows of a racing career.
Cruz was equally pleased with the result, particularly after the horse had spent an extended period away from competition. He praised the patience of the ownership group and said the horse had jumped well, while Wong had handled the ride effectively.
Me Tsui Records a Double at Sha Tin
Me Tsui completed a double through Macanese Master and Speedy Trident. The latter, ridden by Keith Yeung, won the first section of the Class 5 Wa Mei Shan Handicap over 1650 metres, breaking through at the 23rd Hong Kong start of the campaign.
Jimmy Ting recorded his first victory of the season when former Macau galloper Happy Universe prevailed in the Class 4 Tin Ha Shan Handicap over 1650 metres. Under Derek Leung, Happy Universe produced a late challenge to get past Hero Rising and secure the result.
David Eustace continued his strong start to the campaign as Central Bank won the first section of the Class 4 Shek Uk Shan Handicap over 1200 metres. Jerry Chau partnered the runner to an emphatic victory, giving Eustace his 11th win of the season.
Bustling City and Lucky Sam Gor Add to the Evening’s Highlights
David Hayes also reached 11 wins for the campaign after Bustling City scored a decisive three-and-a-quarter-length victory in the Class 3 Hebe Hill Handicap over 1200 metres. Brenton Avdulla was aboard for the performance.
Jerry Chau returned to the winners’ enclosure aboard Lucky Sam Gor in the Class 3 Pyramid Hill Handicap over 1650 metres. The runner made a successful debut on dirt, adding another notable result to Chau’s campaign. With 14 wins, Chau occupied third place in the jockeys’ championship.
Trained by Mark Newnham, Lucky Sam Gor is a gelding by Press Statement who has now recorded six victories in Hong Kong. Five of those wins came last season, and the latest success took career earnings to HK$7.5 million from 25 starts.
The meeting provided further evidence of the depth of competition across the Hong Kong racing ranks, with established trainers adding to their seasonal totals and emerging riders continuing to make progress.
Hong Kong racing will resume at Happy Valley on Sunday, 1 November.
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