Joyful Hunter returns to scene of triumph

Impressive debut winner Joyful Hunter will aim to extend his unbeaten sequence to two when he lines up in the HK$1.08 million Class 4 Victoria Park Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Thursday for trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho.

Blitzing rivals by two lengths at the city circuit on 14 June, the Darci Brahma three-year-old turned heads with an electrifying turn of foot to score in fine style under Ho.   

“It’s not easy to do that at Happy Valley and he had a bad draw (10). I wasn’t surprised, he sure had potential,” Lui said.

Amid yet another strong season, Lui has 58 wins to sit behind only John Size (73) and Frankie Lor (64) in the trainers’ championship, and he has been satisfied with Joyful Hunter’s condition ahead of his charge’s second start.

“I think he’s improved out of his first run. I think he has quality, but he’s still green. In the race he tries, you can see that in his first run that he won. He has a good fighting heart,” Lui said.

Joyful Hunter rose eight rating points to a mark of 60 following that effort, which came in a time of 1m 09.84s. The New Zealand-bred clocked 22.62s for his final 400m – the fastest winning final sectional time at the race meeting last month.  

Lui and Ho have combined for 34 wins in tandem this season, including the success of All Is Good on Monday night (3 July) at Sha Tin. Joyful Hunter breaks from gate No 5.

Established sprinter Stoltz represents Lui in the Class 2 Hong Kong Park Handicap (1000m). The five-year-old was victorious down the straight at Sha Tin under jockey Zac Purton at the end of May.

“He’s kept his form. The distance is his best trip. He’s a lovely horse,” the handler said.

The 100-rater has had leg issues in the past, however, is now a four-time winner – including two times at Class 2 level – from 12 starts in Hong Kong.
Kurpany, Ping Hai Galaxy, Whizz Kid, Carroll Street and Eason are also engaged in the HK$2.64 million dash.

Hong Kong’s champion Golden Sixty continues to do light work at home and Lui is content with his 25-time winner, who was last seen landing a third straight HK$20 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) last April. 

“He’s doing light work and light trotting, we have to give him light work otherwise he’s too fresh. He’s happy and healthy,” Lui said.

Golden Sixty is expected to follow a similar programme next season to this, with a view to capturing a third HK$32 million G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) in December after his previous wins in 2020 and 2021. - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Charizard drawn well here in barrier 1 and should be in the finish based on his past form in this class. Beauty Nova has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Barrier 10 is the query. Sun Of Makfi can’t be ignored at Class 5 level and he looks like he’ll get the right run to be in the finish. Happy Jai Jai has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. He can be on-pace for a long while. Chiron generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.

Race 2: Just six runners here and all them have a winning chance. Stoltz more than capable of winning again in this race after an impressive win down the straight last start. Whizz Kid has early speed and can always surprise with the right run. If he can recapture some of his prior best form, he will take catching. Eason is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time. He looks dangerous in the light weight. Kurpany can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. Ping Hai Galaxy recent barrier trial was good suggesting a good run can be expected.

Race 3: Happy Gathering has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. He can bounce back for a win here after a strong run into second place last start. Theta Hedge a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead. Purton in the saddle should ensure he is rated to perfection. Sunshine Legendary changed stables recently and has improved. He is racing well. Jack Win caught the eye last start when running home well and a similar run is likely. Circuit Splendor was an easy last start winner and must be respected.

Race 4: Management Folks more than capable of winning again in this race after an easy last-start win over 1800m. The rise to 2200m poses no problem and Purton remains in the saddle. Reach Goal had genuine excuses last start (blood in the trachea) and consider again. Super Hong Kong has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Happy Angel a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead. He can give a sight but he remains a maiden from 24 local starts. Kowloon Great can improve second-up from a break.

Race 5: To Infinity turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Plenty of speed on here to suits his chances. Master Tornado last run suggested a win was very near when he checked in third on his first run in Class 4. D Star has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Plagues by bad barriers in recent starts, he should improve from a mid-stall. Beau Gosse best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Strongest Boy go on solid previous effort where form looked good. Have consider with Ho in the plate.

Race 6: Colourful Prince good effort last start leading all the way to win and he will get his chance to repeat the dose from barrier 1 here. Stand Up looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. He is knocking on the door. G One Excellent should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and Ho back in the saddle is a positive. Sergeant Pepper narrowly beaten last start and goes close here if he gains the right run from barrier 12. Plentiful best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. He should run well from barrier 2.

Race 7: Watch Buddy holding form with recent good trial and looks well. From barrier 1, he will get his chance to post a first career win. Lucky Gor had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Barrier 4 should ensure an economical run in transit. Harmony N Home he can bounce back anytime on his current mark. Barrier 2 will ensure the right run. H Z Tour- billon change of trainer recently and can improve. Melbourne Hall was eased early before catching the eye late, which is usual for him.

Race 8: Joyful Hunter turned in a very nice debut run, winning easily going away by two lengths, and looks to have good ability. He should take a power of beating again second-up and looks headed much higher. Exuberant video replay showed last run was very good, while barrier 1 should afford him every winning hope. Wood On Fire had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Timestorm fresh up from a break and should run well. E Brother has early speed and can always surprise with the right run.

Race 9: Reward Smile backing up quickly from a good last start effort when beaten by a wide barrier. Coming into barrier 2 should prove the winning ingredient for this week’s race. Lucky Eight blinkers have been added and must be a big chance. Form is strong, barrier 4 is a positive and he will go close. Majestic Knight a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead, which he should from barrier 3. Wings Of War looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. He is knocking on the door for a win. Armour Eagle was eased early before catching the eye late last start, but he should make use of gate 1 here.