Hugh Bowman limbers up for BMW Hong Kong Derby with Happy Valley double
Chasing a third Hong Kong Derby (2000m) victory at Sha Tin on Sunday, Hugh Bowman notched his 50th win of the season with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night to continue a blistering form streak.
With six wins across the past three meetings, Bowman is excited to partner the Caspar Fownes-trained Lo Rider (Harzand) in Sunday’s Classic after teaming with Mark Newman’s Power Koepp (Equiano) in the second section of the Class 4 Wong Nai Chung Handicap (1200m) and M Unicorn (Savabeel) in the Class 3 Canal Handicap (1650m) at the city circuit.
Bidding for a third Hong Kong Derby after wins on Werther (Tavistock) (2016) and Furore (Pierro) (2019), Bowman hopes the Fownes-trained Lo Rider can deliver a third victory in the race.
“I’m on a horse that’s certainly capable of winning,” Bowman said. “He’s going to need some things go his way, but I think it’s a very open race and I’m delighted to be involved.”
Following his treble at Sha Tin last Saturday, Bowman seized the initiative on M Unicorn by unleashing a surging run from the tail of the field at the 800 metres to take the lead at the 600 metres – and was never headed.
“He [M Unicorn] just has difficulty getting himself involved early and I’d spent no energy, I felt the pace wasn’t strong so I thought ‘I can’t come from back and through them,’ which was my preferred option,” Bowman said. “The horse was in good form, so I thought I would make some use of him mid-race and it turned out to be the right move.”
Bowman was also positive on Power Koepp, who was having his first run for Newnham.
“He arrived in good condition and I think I got him at the right rating. He drew a good gate [barrier two], Hugh was able to put him in a good position and the horse was able to do the rest,” Newnham said. “He hadn’t won for two years, so I needed to change something.
“It was just a matter of him getting that winning feeling back and it was pretty comfortable watching.”
Frankie Lor’s Beauty Destiny (Star Turn) became the first horse this season to win five races at Happy Valley with a stunning victory in the Class 2 Sports Handicap (1200m), powering from the tail of the field to give Andrea Atzeni a double.
Rocketing over the final 400 metres in 22.41s, the Star Turn (Star Witness) gelding posted his fifth win from his past six starts – all over 1200 metres at Happy Valley.
“It was a good win because he drew outside [barrier ten] and went back and if you look at most of the winners tonight, they had inside gates and were close to the speed,” Lor said. “I don’t know where he will start next, so we might have to look at Sha Tin.”
David Eustace and Atzeni combined for their first win in tandem when Colourful King (Blue Point) launched late to claim the Class 3 Percival Handicap (1000m) by a nose over Youthful Spirits (Shamus Award). A dual winner at Sandown for Mathew Ellerton when he raced as Blue Renegade in Australia, the Blue Point (Shamardal) three-year-old earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million (approx. AU$304,960).
“I don’t know how we won. I really, really thought he was beat, so it’s obviously pleasing he ran well but I thought he was chinned,” Eustace said.
“I think he’s potentially quite an exciting horse – lightly-raced and still working things out. He got a perfect ride and great to get a winner for Andrea as well. We’ve both been patient but we haven’t lost faith.”
Antoine Hamelin made it two wins from as many Happy Valley meetings when Spicy Spangle (Headwater) ran on strongly to clinch the Class 4 The Hong Kong Football Club Centenary Cup Handicap (1000m) for Cody Mo.
“The gate was very important tonight, drawing [barrier two], which helped a lot,” Hamelin said. “My horse likes to go forward and we’ve had a good connection together.
“I was a bit confident before the race, I told the owner I thought we had a chance because we had the gate, the speed and one horse [Parents’ Love] should lead for us, so there was not much to do – just wait for the straight and he did well.”
David Hall’s patience with Windicator Family (Press Statement) was rewarded when the former New Zealander charged from last on the turn to land the Class 5 Bowrington Handicap (1650m) under Matthew Poon.
Imported to Hong Kong after winning the 2023 Southland Guineas (Listed, 1600m) when he raced as Press Charges for Terri Rae, the five-year-old appreciated the step up to 1650 metres and the addition of a visor in posting his first Hong Kong win at his 19th start in the city.
Wonder Kit (Sooboog) benefit from barrier one and a drop in grade when Francis Lui’s charge swept to victory in the Class 3 Tin Lok Handicap (1200m) under Lyle Hewitson after Douglas Whyte’s Ace Power (Power) returned to the winners’ list with success in the Class 4 The Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m) under Karis Teetan.
Jamie Richards’ brought up his 11th winner of the season when Sunday’s Serenade (Ardrossan) landed the Class 4 Lockhart Handicap (1650m) under Brenton Avdulla.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday with the running of the HK$26 million (approx. AU$5.28 million) Hong Kong Derby (2000m).