De Sousa aims to maintain impetus at Sha Tin

Riding in peak form with a mid-week treble at Happy Valley, Silvestre de Sousa hopes to maintain impressive momentum at Sha Tin on Sunday when the Brazilian takes a full book of 10 mounts.

Sitting third in the 2022/23 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 22 wins to trail only Zac Purton (60) and Vincent Ho (24), De Sousa will partner John Size-trained Power Koepp in the Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap (1000m) intent on continuing an excellent campaign.

“It’s nice – it’s not easy to ride winners over here and I’m especially happy about it,” De Sousa said of this three-timer last Wednesday. “It’s good, I’m pleased how things are going. I hope to keep it going and keep on working hard.”

De Sousa teams with Pierre Ng aboard Stunning Impact in the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Beloved Collection Handicap (1600m) as the consistent Zoustar gelding bids for a hat-trick of victories.

“He’s an improving horse in my eyes and he’s just got into top form and he should go to this race with a decent chance,” De Sousa said. “We’ve got a kind gate (barrier No 6) and I hope things can go his way and he can get the trip.

“I think there could be another one (win) in the bag, whether it’s going to be this time we will have to see but Pierre’s horses are in great form and I couldn’t be more pleased with the horse and I believe Pierre is very happy as well.”

De Sousa reunites with Power Koepp in the afternoon’s feature, hoping to reprise a winning partnership with the gelding who triumphed two starts ago over 1200m at Happy Valley.

Derek Leung has telling faith in both trainer Benno Yung and Fiery Diamond as the gelding attempts to extend a bountiful winning sequence in the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Pt Graceful Collection Handicap (1200m, dirt).

Yung has 14 wins this season, including nine on Sha Tin’s dirt to lead the All-Weather standings for the season – six more than reigning champion trainer Frankie Lor (three) and Chris So (three).

Fiery Diamond has been Yung’s leading performer on the dirt this campaign with a trio of wins and Leung is hopeful the five-year-old can extend his unbeaten streak to four.

“This time with the outside draw (gate No 9), there are horses on the inside that should go forward and if the pace is good for him, he can be handy,” Leung said. “Last season, he seemed to jump fast and be keen. This season, he is more mature.

“You can see that he is more relaxed and he can save energy for the last 400 (metres). His condition is very good.”

Jamie Richards is optimistic Handsome Rebel can deliver the stable’s first victory at Sha Tin this season when he contests the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Heirloom Fortune Collection Handicap (1200m, dirt) under Victor Wong.

Handsome Rebel provided Richards with his maiden Hong Kong winner at Happy Valley in October and the former New Zealand champion trainer hopes the Denman gelding can make it three victories from five starts this campaign.

“He’s carried the stable for the early part of the season, so we owe him a huge debt,” Richards said. “Hopefully he can carry on. Victor has won on him before and he’s got a low gate (barrier one), so he’s got a few things in his favour.

“He’s a happy and healthy horse – he’s eating well – so there’s no reason why he can’t run well. Hopefully he can get a nice run in behind them and he can get his chance. Hopefully he can run well. We’re battling a bit at Sha Tin, so hopefully he can give us a hand.”

All four of Richards’ winners so far have come at Happy Valley. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Jiangxi Stamina has a great record in this class and must be respected. Joyful Genius making Class 5 debut and must be respected. Purton rides and he can shed his maiden tag soon in this grade. Angels Hunter change of trainer recently and can improve. Brave Power needs a fast early speed to produce a big finish, chance in a race such as this. Fantasy Spring down in class in this race and should perform better. Looked okay in a recent trial.

Race 2: Hero Icon has trialled very well for debut and should be rated a big winning chance first-up. Unfortunately, he has drawn widest, but he’s worth taking a punt on in a race lacking depth. Huge Win well prepared for debut from the Frankie Lor yard and can also run a race first-up. United We Stand well supported and won last start, can give a sight again. E Rainbow had excuses last start and forget the run. Easy Snip go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay, he can improve.

Race 3: Ka Ying Warrior talented newcomer who looks ready to win here. He was scratched behind the gates on his intended debut when a short-priced favourite and should be again here. Baby Crystal every chance last start but still ran a good race into second, good chance again. Excellent Fighter has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance. Soaring Pengshan has looked very good in recent trials and is rated a chance. Flying High last start winner who remains in the same grade, can run well again.

Race 4: War Weapon turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly but he had plenty of excuses in the run. Victory Scholars changed stables recently and has improved after his nice placing last start. Kasi Farasi old-timer who is always capable of surprising, especially from a good gate here under SDS. Sparky Star finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start. Helene Wisdom Star good performance when storming home for third place last start, Class 4 looks his go.

Race 5: Cheery looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start, give another chance here. President’s Choice looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form, comes into a low gate and gets SDS and can improve. Oscar Glory has early speed and can always surprise with the right run, went too quick on the lead last start. Turquoise Alpha eased early before going on to make late ground, won well two back. Voyage Star drawn well and should gain a nice run in transit, but he’s a roarer who can mix form.

Race 6: Dream Pursuer newcomer who has trialled well for debut on several occasion and finds a winnable race first-up, has to be rated a solid winning chance. Bundle Of Charm never far away from the winner and could sneak a place and looked well in a trial this week. Cape Breton good performance when storming home for third place last start, on the improve. Pulsar Strider good effort when narrowly beaten last start and can go on with it. Not Usual Star another newcomer who has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance.

Race 7: Stand Up last run suggested a win was very near after he checked home second but had excuses in the run. Hard to beat here. Shining Fortune looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Flying Bonus can bounce back a winner anytime in this class, he will give a sight. Call Me Teddy second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve. Vamos recent barrier trial was good, suggesting an improved run can be expected.

Race 8: Whizz Kid looks the one to beat based on current form after a big win at Happy Valley last start. Ping Hai Galaxy well-placed and looks a chance in race like this, he’s on the verge of another win. Trillion Win bled last start but has since trialled well, chance on best form. Handsome Bo Bo a fast beginner who can run well up on the pace. You’remyeverything is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time. If the pace is on, he can finish strongly late.

Race 9: Fiery Diamond winner of last three starts and looks a top chance to continue his winning ways. Midori Beauty every chance last start as a beaten favourite but still ran a good race and Purton sticks with him. Youthful Deal last start winner who rises in class but can measure up now that the penny has dropped. Maximus had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race from a good gate. Red Desert has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Bowman rides.

Race 10: Accelerando promising type who’s in a rich vein of form and rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. He can win again. Stunning Impact racing in career-best form after a stable change and must be rated a good chance to cause the upset. Happy Daily video replay showed last run was very good. Never Too Soon looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form, just needs some luck from out wide. Massive Action should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way, he looks to get a soft enough lead.