Ferraris looks for late flourish in Hong Kong

Buoyed by two drought-breaking winners and an increase in support, Luke Ferraris is looking to put a frustrating period behind him and finish his third Hong Kong season strongly.

After a positive start to the season, the young South African rider has battled waning quality and quantity of rides with only seven victories in 2024.

A recent winless streak of 72 rides added to his frustration, but there has been light at the end of the tunnel for the 22-year-old.

Having ended his drought with victory on Setanta at Happy Valley on 15 May, Ferraris added another triumph with an upset result on $31 chance The Concentration at Sha Tin on Sunday.

“It’s nice to sort of get the ball rolling a bit again,” Ferraris said. “It’s been somewhat of a quiet end to the season. It started off really well.

“Like I’ve touched on before, the support just died off halfway through the season, but it seems to be picking up towards the end and if I can finish strong, then that’s all I can ask for.”

With a strong book of eight rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday, Ferraris looks set to continue his recent change in fortune and add to his tally of 23 wins this season.

While five are for his biggest supporter, Mark Newnham, Ferraris has importantly picked up two rides for championship leader Pierre Ng Pang-chi and one for Ricky Yiu Poon-fai.

“Mark’s been great to me throughout the season and I think his stable’s only going to go from strength to strength,” Ferraris said.

“It’s obviously good to get a couple of rides from Pierre and hopefully the relationship with Ricky Yiu starts to build.

“I’ve got a couple that have drawn good barriers, which will help. Some not good, but they look to be chances.”

Ferraris hops aboard Ng’s consistent performer Frantanck, who returns to the city circuit for the first time since November in the Class Three Shouson Hill Handicap (1650m).

The son of Frankel won twice at Sha Tin in March and has the advantage of barrier one on Wednesday night.

“He’s a tough, front-running horse and his form’s been good at Sha Tin,” Ferraris said.

“On the A track from pole position, if I can get left alone in front, I think he’ll be pretty competitive. He’s got the 135 (pounds) but he’s a big, strong horse, so he’ll carry it.”

Plentiful is Ferraris’ other ride for Ng, with the son of Capitalist returning from a knee injury in the Class Five Stanley Gap Handicap (1000m).

“It’s his first time in Class Five. He’s a big horse with a big weight (135 pounds) and an awkward barrier (No 10), but his trials have been good,” Ferraris said.

Setanta, One For All, Youthful Spirits and last-start placegetters So Treasure and Super Baby are Ferraris’ mounts for Newnham.

“Setanta won well last time,” Ferraris said of the Fastnet Rock gelding’s barnstorming victory from last.

“He’ll just need the tempo to suit. So Treasure is knocking on the door. It’s just greenness that’s cost him his last couple of races, but he’s got barrier No 1.

“Super Baby was a much better run last time, but he’s a bit hit and miss.

“Going to 1200m is a bit of a worry for Youthful Spirits. He’s a horse that does get the head up and can race quite fiercely, but in saying that, he’s not going to have to do any work from barrier one. Hopefully he’s not pestered in front by Happy Fat Cat.”

Last-start winner Mega Bonus can add to Ferraris’ strike rate for Yiu in the last race, the first section of the Class Three Violet Hill Handicap (1200m).

Ferraris has booted home three winners from just eight rides for the veteran handler this season, but he fears a rise in class and wide draw in barrier No 12 pose significant challenges to Mega Bonus. – South China Morning Post

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Good View Glory every chance last start but still ran a good race. Gets barrier 1 here and blinkers on first time and won’t find many easier races than this. Plentiful down in class in this race and should perform better, off the back of an impressive trial. Happy Tango a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead, which looks probable. Same To You good performance when storming home for third place last start. Gallant Goody down in class here and can surprise.

Race 2: Sharpen Bright has a good record over this track and distance and his two most recent starts at Sha Tin have been promising. Billionaire Secret has a great record in this class and must be respected. Unknown over the distance but looks to get all the favours here. Romantic Fantasy looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Intrepid Winner down in class in this race and should perform better, start to follow him. Reach Goal will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well.

Race 3: Wide open race, here. Packing Power well prepared for debut and is worth considering on an each-way basis. One For All had excuses last start when racing wide without cover when he was on the class drop. Up in trip, he can improve should be have a better run in transit. Dan Attack showed no interest last start, forget the run. From barrier 1, he has what it takes to bounce back. Ace Power well supported last start and won accordingly and mya be able to go on with it. Gimme Five best run to date was last start and appears to be improving.

Race 4: Another competitive race with many chances. So Treasure best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Step- ping away from barrier 1, he will get his chance to break through. Lapras placed last start and looks a chance to run well again as he seems to be on an upward trend. Sea Sapphire should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Cosmo Navigator looks a solid good chance based on last start. E Universe go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here. Purton takes the ride and expect better.

Race 5: Can’t Go Wong turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly from a wide draw. Coming into a low draw enhances his chances big time. Fighting Machine has had no luck from wide gates recently and could run a cheeky race as he comes into an inside gate. Sixth Generation has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Daring Pursuit is better than recent form indicates and can improve. Kasa Papa last start placing was full of merit, nice effort and he’s racing well after a stable change.

Race 6: Sky Trust more than capable of winning again in this race after he posted his first win over 1400m at Sha Tin last start. He has upside and should be able to win again. I Can good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Northern Beast looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start. Purton takes the ride and he should bounce back into the money. Atomic Beauty ultra-consistent galloper and who can play a part in the finish. Gallant Crown showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight.

Race 7: Chain Of Gold had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race. There should be enough pace on to suit his profile and Purton sticking with him is a good sign. Helene Warrior turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and is improving all the time. Frantanck should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. But how much pressure is applied remains to be seen. Lovero last start winner who remains in the same grade and can run well again. Rocket Spade remains a maiden, finding it hard to win but has a good gate and a good jockey.

Race 8: Watch Buddy has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. A wide-open race with plenty of chances but he should get a decent number of favours from his gate. Youthful Spirits had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. He comes into a low draw, which should enhance his chances. Lady’s Choice ultra-consistent galloper and who can play a part in the finish. Kaholo Angel had no luck last start but keep following. However, another wide draw makes it tough. Righteous Arion well supported last start and won accordingly.

Race 9: Joyful Hunter talented galloper who is resuming from a break. Well prepared for his return and suited at this track and distance. Slight query on his health issues but only time will tell if he’s overcome them. Wings Of War was an easy last start winner and must be respected again as he will get the same run from the low draw. A Americ Te Specso generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Ka Ying Cheer nice 4yo with a good chance here. California Touch should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way.