Ho hunting for a joyful day

Keen to convert quality opportunities into more wins after a frustrating recent run, Vincent Ho hopes hopeful Joyful Hunter and The Heir can add further lustre to an unforgettable December at Sha Tin on Saturday.

With the memories of Golden Sixty’s colossal Grade 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile over 1600m triumph on 10 December still vivid, Ho is eager to capitalise today after slotting three wins and 11 minor placings from 47 rides this month.

A four-time winner of the Tony Cruz Award as Hong Kong’s top homegrown rider and runner-up in last season’s jockey’s championship with a career-high 96 victories, Ho made a delayed start to this season after suffering injuries in a Japanese race fall.

With 16 wins and 32 minor placings from 120 rides so far this term, Ho has eight mounts this weekend, including Joyful Hunter in the Class 3 Pine Handicap (1200m) for Francis Lui.

Unbeaten in two runs last season, Joyful Hunter has had three runs this term for two thirds and an 11th but Ho is confident the gelding is primed to return to form despite drawing the outside gate in the 11-horse field.

“He’s a quality horse and he’s ready to go. Unfortunately, it’s a tricky draw but we’ll see,” Ho said.

“He’s a nice horse and if everything goes well, hopefully he can still be in the Four-Year-Old Series. He’ll definitely need longer but he’s had some time off, so he’s starting off at 1200m.”

Ho also takes the reins on Caspar Fownes-trained The Heir in the Class 3 Poinsettia Handicap over 1400m.

“Lovely horse – actually, he’s a very nice horse. We’re excited that he’s stepping up now and he should perform very well. He’s a nice horse to ride, quite easy,” Ho said.

Keith Yeung is optimistic Woodfire Bro’s racing pattern will be an advantage when Michael Chang’s charge contests the Class 2 Yan Chai Trophy Handicap over 2000m.

To carry only 52.5kg against nine rivals headed by Tourbillon Diamond (61.5kg), Woodfire Bro rises to Class 2 for the first time after a last-start second to Chancheng Glory over 1600m on 26 November.

“I’m not so worried about the draw (barrier No 8) because usually he just rolls forward and in a 2000m race, there won’t be too much speed, so (hopefully) I can get to the front in a comfortable way” Yeung said.

“He’s an honest horse and also he’s very settled in the race during the run. He lets you wait for you to ask him and then he switches on.”

Pierre Ng will saddle nine runners as he bids to produce at least one winner for the 15th consecutive meeting. Leading the Hong Kong trainers’ championship by 15 with 37 wins, Ng has snared 25 winners across 14 meetings stretching back to 5 November.

The second-season handler will attempt to continue his remarkable sequence with two last-start winners – Starship Eighty and I Give, who is bidding for a sixth straight win. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Winning Steps stable is in great form of late and so respect here. Looked well in a recent trial and fitter now second-up. The one to beat. Mister Dapper more than capable of winning again in this race. More to come. Nicholson Returns drops down in grade and start following. Maps with all the favours from gate 2. Jubilation nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance on the light weight. Flying Silver faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. Chance under J-Mac.

Race 2: Gangnam Star placed last start on debut and has since trialled well. Hard to oppose any Pierre Ng-trained runner and this is a weak race. Super Highway good performance when storming home for third place last start. Trialled well since and is well placed in this field. Second To None having first start and watch the betting odds, recent trials have been okay. Sight Hero well-placed and looks a chance in race like this. If he shows up in good health, more than capable here. Ruby Sailing fresh up from a break and should run well.

Race 3: Super Legends consider a chance with blinkers added. Returns to a race against his own age group, which holds him in good stead, and he brings the strongest form. The Absolute having second start and can improve with experience after an eye-catching debut performance. Flying Romantic not tested when trialling quietly for debut and watch the betting. New Power eased early before going on to make late ground on debut, trialled well since and can improve. Winning Seven recent barrier trial was good suggesting a good run can be expected.

Race 4: Super Contented well supported last start and won accordingly. Racing well after a stable change can could go on with it. Starship Eighty can follow up on last-start win. Drawn well low to get the perfect run. President’s Choice turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly on his Class 5 debut. Hang’s Choice form is good and must be rated a solid chance, but the wide draw is some concern. Boom Alliance remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after several encouraging efforts.

Race 5: Nordic Star will win in this grade very soon and he appears to get every chance this week. Blinkers go on first time from barrier 1 and hard to overlook. Lucky Banner had genuine excuses last start when badly held up and can improve in this race. All Are Mine last start winner who remains in the same grade, runs well again. Special Hedge best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Amazing Teens can upset some more fancied rivals on best form. Barrier 3 should spark improvement.

Race 6: Fighting Machine eased early before going on to make late ground last start but also had plenty of excuses. He strikes a weak race which he can win third-up. Volcanic Spark having second start and can improve with experience from barrier 1. Solid Shalaa has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve in a race likes this. Perfetto resuming from a break and the betting market best will be the best guide, but he has what it takes to be competitive. Natural Gold has early speed and can surprise in a race like this.

Race 7: Ensued nice three-year-old from the John Size yard who is well placed with the light weight. Had excuses last start and gets his chance to bounce back. Rise Brethren change of trainer recently and watch betting, can improve here. Awesome Fluke improving all the time with race experience since his local debut. Woodfire Bro looks a solid good chance based on last start, racing well after a stable change. Five G Patch will find this easier than last start and can run well back in trip.

Race 8: I Give racing in career-best form and just keeps winning. Hard to know how many more wins is has, but this doesn’t look any harder for him and he appears to map softly on the lead. Cotton Fingers narrowly beaten last start and goes close here; he is the testing material. Joyful Hunter freshened up since last start defeat and can improve. Magnificent Nine has been trialling well for his debut and comes from an astute stable. Wings Of War was eased early before catching the eye late last start, racing well after a stable change.

Race 9: Yellowfin scored a big win last start and it will pay to keep following. He remains the one to beat. Adefill always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level but the days are dragging on since his last win. Ching is better than recent form indicates and can improve. He could relish the AWT. Frantanck should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way if he finds the front easy enough from out wide. Fiery Diamond looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Has what it takes to bounce back here.

Race 10: The Heir was not disgraced on his last two starts when beaten by a very smart horse in Galaxy Patch. That holds him in good stead to be hard to beat third-up in Hong Kong, while rising to 1400m suits his chances. Beauty Crescent good performance when storming home for third place last start but he can map closer from a lower gate. Pins Prince well supported last start and won accordingly, runs well again from barrier 1. Mighty Stride had genuine excuses last start (lame) and consider again. Bonus Pal well prepared for debut and watch the betting.