There was a touch of poetry in the air at Happy Valley on Wednesday night as Speed Dragon — sidelined for eight months — returned from injury to remind Hong Kong’s racing faithful just what grit and timing can deliver. Under a patient and perfectly measured ride from Vincent Ho, the six-year-old gelding produced a barnstorming late burst to capture the Class 2 Lei Yue Mun Handicap (1800m), sealing the night’s most stirring victory.
The comeback win carried extra emotion for Ho, who himself endured a harrowing spell on the sidelines last season with neck and head injuries. The pair — both returning from adversity — found their moment together, charging through the pack in the home straight to deny Californiatotality by a short head in 1m 47.96s, with Encountered close behind.
“It was very special,” Ho said. “He trialled well, but to see him deliver like that after so long out — it’s a great feeling. Everything opened perfectly for us in the straight. He’ll come on from this; he’s got so much more to give.”
The victory marked the first leg of a Vincent Ho treble that reminded everyone why he remains one of Hong Kong’s most instinctive riders. Earlier, he piloted Mr Desira to success for Caspar Fownes in the third section of the Class 4 Fung Mo Handicap (1200m), before steering King Miles to victory in the Class 3 Hok Yuen Handicap (1200m), holding off Storm Rider by a narrow margin.
Ho’s form resurgence was mirrored by Fownes, who notched a training double. His five-year-old Dancing Classics, owned by entertainment icon Aaron Kwok, toughed out a win in the second section of the Class 4 Fung Mo Handicap (1200m) under apprentice Ellis Wong. “He’s improved a lot from last season,” Wong said. “With the shadow roll, he’s relaxed and he really fought to the line.”
Fownes now sits just behind Mark Newnham in the trainers’ standings after Newnham’s Excellence Value captured the Class 3 Lung Cheung Handicap (1800m) under Zac Purton.
Elsewhere, Luke Ferraris timed his run to perfection on King Glorioso in the opening section of the Class 4 Fung Mo Handicap, edging out Thunder Prince by a nose for Douglas Whyte. “Luke gave him a beautiful ride — calm, patient, and decisive when it mattered,” Whyte noted.
There were also well-deserved wins for Fantastic Fun (Hugh Bowman / Danny Shum) in the Class 4 Hung Luen Handicap (1650m) and longshot Celtic Times (Karis Teetan / Manfred Man) in the other division of the same race. Apolar Fighter (Jerry Chau / David Eustace) broke his maiden in the Class 5 Ngau Chi Wan Handicap (1650m) — Eustace’s first win of the new season.
“It’s great to get off the mark,” Eustace said. “He’s been close a few times, and tonight everything clicked.”
Hong Kong racing now shifts to Sha Tin on Sunday (19 October) for the G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m), headlined by some of the circuit’s best middle-distance contenders.
A powerful return for Speed Dragon under Vincent Ho — stay tuned with RaceBuzz for the latest from Hong Kong racing.
