Jamie Richards’ stable stocks continued to rise at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (10 September) after the New Zealand trainer slotted his second double in two meetings as Storming Dragon claimed joint leadership of the HK$1.5 million DBS x Manulife Million Challenge.
Fresh from a brace at the season-opening fixture at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 September), Richards struck with Storming Dragon and To Infinity to erase the memories of a challenging 2024/25 campaign when he saddled 21 winners.
“It’s incredible. We had 21 winners for the whole of last season and now we’ve had four winners in two meetings,” Richards said after Brenton Avdulla drove Storming Dragon to an emphatic victory in the Class 3 Wan Chai Handicap (1200m).
“I’m very, very happy. It’s quite hard to explain, really. To Infinity was a bit of a surprise but Storming Dragon had run consistently well all last season, and he trialled well behind Ka Ying Rising and My Wish and Brenton gave him a lovely ride.
“It’s a wonderful start to the season for the whole team and I must thank them for all the work they’ve done in the off-season.”
To Infinity won the second section of the Class 4 Kwun Tong Handicap (1650m) under Alexis Badel for Richards, securing his seventh course and distance success.
Earning a maximum 15 points for the win in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, Storming Dragon shares early leadership with Danny Shum’s Wrote A New Page (120lb), who slotted his third win in a row with a typically gritty performance in the Class 3 Central Handicap (1650m) under Harry Bentley.
Having lost touch with leader Highland Rahy (130lb) on the home turn after sitting second in the run, Wrote A New Page responded with trademark application to wear down the race favourite and score by a short head, with a nose to I Can (127lb).
“It was a tough effort. I really liked him last season but was always conscious of the fact he grinds out his races and he’s got stamina in bags,” Bentley said. “At the top of the straight, Highland Rahy put a good bit of distance between the two of us and I thought it was a lot to claw back.
“But his stamina kicked in and saw him through and there should be more with this horse. He’s a bit unearthed. I feel he’s one of those horses where you are always scratching away at the surface and finding a little more each time.
“I’m not sure where his top is at the moment but, for me, he’s just going to be a better horse over long distance.”
The DBS x Manulife Million Challenge is decided on Class 3 races at Happy Valley and runs until 4 February with 15 points to the winner of each race, six for second, four for third and three for fourth.
Douglas Whyte made a bright start to the city circuit season, posting a double with Hong Kong International Sale graduate Dan Attack, who landed the Class 5 Admiralty Handicap (1200m) for Hugh Bowman, and Harmony Fire in the Class 4 North Point Handicap (1000m) under Luke Ferraris.
Whyte praised Ferraris for his precise ride on eight-year-old Harmony Fire, who slotted his fifth course and distance success at the track where the 13-time Hong Kong champion jockey forged a formidable reputation.
“Happy Valley has always been a bit of a hunting ground for me, I love it. My horses run well here,” Whyte said.
“He (Ferraris) gave him (Harmony Fire) a 10 out of 10 ride. He held him up turning for home, which is not easy to do and then the horse quickened late. It was a good effort, but a good ride. Dan Attack has come good, he’s been working the house down at home. It’s nice to get a winner for (owner) David Boehm.”
Bowman completed an early double by dictating from the front on Caspar Fownes-trained Super Sicario in the Class 5 Kowloon Tong Handicap (1650m) before Matthew Chadwick opened his winning account aboard Tony Cruz-trained Viva Graciousness in the first section of the Class 4 Kwun Tong Handicap (1650m).
Zac Purton added to an opening-day five-timer with success on David Hayes-trained Bienvenue in the Class 4 Quarry Bay Handicap (1200m) after the Star Turn gelding covered ground in the run before surging clear.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (14 September).
By Leo Schlink
