Three-year-old sprinter Tycoon Resources continued his rapid rise through the ranks with another polished victory at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, maintaining his unbeaten record and giving trainer Tony Cruz one of two winners on the programme.
The performance added further substance to the growing reputation of the son of Written Tycoon, who has now won all three of his race starts and continues to impress both on race day and in his preparation at Sha Tin.
Happy Valley race results
Partnered once again by Angus Chung, Tycoon Resources carried 120lb to victory in the opening division of the Class 3 West Kowloon Handicap over 1200 metres. Travelling comfortably throughout, the progressive youngster quickened clear in the straight and scored by one and a half lengths, extending a flawless start to his racing career.
Cruz was enthusiastic about the colt’s future prospects after the race and indicated there could be one more appearance before the season concludes.
The trainer believes the youngster will eventually be suited by longer distances, although immediate plans remain focused on sprint trips while he continues his progression through Class 3 company.
The evening’s concluding race, the second division of the Class 3 West Kowloon Handicap, went to Target Audience, providing trainer Caspar Fownes with another valuable success as he continues to lead the Hong Kong trainers’ championship standings. Ridden by Joao Moreira, the gelding finished strongly to continue Fownes’ productive run of recent winners at the city circuit.
Mark Newnham kept his own championship ambitions alive when Legend Winner justified a drop in grade to claim the Class 4 Kai Tak Handicap over 1650 metres. With Zac Purton aboard, the five-year-old responded well to the easier assignment and delivered Newnham’s 58th winner of the campaign.
Newnham suggested confidence had been a limiting factor for the horse but felt there was still improvement to come following the encouraging display.
In the Class 5 Chek Lap Kok Handicap over 1800 metres, Kyrus Treasure gave David Eustace’s stable another success and provided jockey Jerry Chau with his 44th winner of the season. The victory strengthened Chau’s position in the standings for the Tony Cruz Award, presented to the leading homegrown rider.
Eustace later completed a stable double when Holmes A Court made a winning debut for his new yard in the first division of the Class 4 Stanley Handicap. Brenton Avdulla adopted positive tactics from the outset and the four-year-old responded with a breakthrough success after a series of near misses.
Avdulla’s productive evening continued in the Class 4 Tsim Sha Tsui Handicap, where Grand Nova battled gamely to secure the third victory of his career for reigning champion trainer John Size.
One of the most dramatic moments of the meeting arrived in the second division of the Stanley Handicap. A prolonged examination of the finish was required before judges confirmed Live Wire as the winner. The Douglas Whyte-trained three-year-old finished powerfully under Zac Purton to edge a thrilling conclusion and earn what connections expect to be his final start of the season.
The feature event of the evening, the Class 4 Tourism Cup Handicap over 1650 metres, went to Viva Firecracker. Ridden confidently by Karis Teetan, the Tony Cruz-trained gelding led turning for home and never looked in danger of being caught, securing a first career victory in impressive fashion.
Pierre Ng also celebrated success when Le Zonda produced a strong late surge under Vincent Ho to capture the Class 3 Victoria Harbour Handicap over 1800 metres, registering the Irish import’s first Hong Kong victory.
With the Hong Kong season entering its closing stages, several emerging performers enhanced their reputations, none more so than Tycoon Resources, whose unbeaten record continues to mark him out as one of the most exciting young horses currently racing at Happy Valley.
Hong Kong racing now moves to Sha Tin Racecourse for Saturday’s meeting.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to racebuzz