Aiming to build on his first 50-win season in Hong Kong, jockey Lyle Hewitson heads into Wednesday’s eight-race card primed to reunite with One For All in a cracking Class 3 Mui Wo Handicap (1200m).
Happy Valley’s first fixture of the season marks the start of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, which runs until 21 February, 2024. The competition is for horses racing in Class 3 and above, with points awarded for first, second, third and fourth place finishes.
A first-up win for One For All would secure 15 points in the HK$1.5 million competition.
“Hopefully we can get a bit of beginner’s luck and get Mark (Newnham) off to a great start. He’s a lovely horse and he has stepped up in grade now, but with the weight relief that should be in his favour,” Hewitson said.
One For All is trainer Mark Newnham’s first runner in Hong Kong. The on-pacer nailed a hat-trick of wins last term, but faces a stiff test tomorrow night against Reward Smile, Superb Capitalist, Allgreektome, Packing Bole and more.
“That’s the unfortunate thing (possible fast pace), to start off in this sort of field makes it a bit more difficult. He’s a horse that’s shown good gate speed and a lot of speed, so the plan will still be to pop out and press on for the first half furlong.
“I think we’re going to have to be wise about the situation, there’s three or four other noted frontrunners, so it does make it a bit more difficult but he is a horse that’s doing well, so hopefully he has a few more tricks up his sleeve,” Hewitson said.
Hewitson has seven mounts, also partnering Goodmanship, Durham Star, Snowalot, High Percentage, Eighteen Palms and G One Excellent at the city circuit. “Eighteen Palms is also in good form and he will have come on with the season under his belt. That actually looks like a very competitive race with three or four others that are in good form at the moment but he’d be a livewire. I think Snowalot just continues a good vein of form,” Hewitson said.
The lightly raced Pachisi returns for trainer Jamie Richards in the Class 4 Sha Lo Wan Handicap (1000m) earlier, drawing barrier No 11 with jockey Zac Purton engaged.
“Because of his size, you have to be a little bit careful with him and he’s not the greatest of eaters, so he doesn’t make it easy for himself. He trialled up pretty well at Conghua the other day, he’s had the benefit of a summer break and he heads into the race in good order, albeit very difficult from the outside barrier.
“We’re going to need a bit of luck and I’m expecting him to find the line well but when you struggle to draw a gate it makes it very tough for him,” Richards said.
The bay is the lightest runner in the race with a body weight of 452kg. He has previously had setbacks, being found to be a roarer before pulling up with mucus last season.
“There’s lots of pace in the race, so it might set it up for something to come from off them a little bit first time back at Happy Valley on the ‘A’ course – it’ll certainly be a challenge for Zac,” Richards said.
Pachisi is yet to win, while Richards closed out a stellar first campaign last season with 35 Hong Kong wins.
“We rested a few of the horses at the end of the season with a view to trying to get them going a little bit earlier than we did last season. Unfortunately we’ve just had a few little hold ups, things haven’t gone our way, the typhoon and the rainstorm has made it difficult for everybody,” he said. - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Multimore drops down in grade and start following. From barrier 1 under Purton, he hard to look past. Theta Hedge looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form after three placings. Trialled well for his return and gets his chance. Vamos will win in this grade very soon after going close since the class drop. Valhalla on the quick back up, drawn well and should gain a nice run in transit. Goodmanship has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Should map a chance from barrier 2.
Race 2: D Star well supported last start and won accordingly. Bowman remains in the saddle and the four-year-old still could have some upside and win his way into Class 3. Nice Birdie recent runs have been encouraging and can run well as Purton regains the ride. Durham Star looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. He gets back and will be running on. Sturdy Ruby good performance when storming home for third place last start. He is nearing a win. Fortune President go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay.
Race 3: Denfield more than capable of winning again in this race after breaking through stylishly on his final start last season. Drawn well low in barrier 3, he should get the gun run just off the pace and be too strong late. Golden Luck go on the win two starts ago and give a chance to bounce back here. Lucky Archangel has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade. Snowalot nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance in a race like this. Mega Bonus should lead and give a good sight from barrier 1 under Atzeni.
Race 4: Open race here. Happy Soul form is good and must be rated a solid chance given Shum’s horses go well early in the season. Lucky Gor has had no luck recently and give another chance here. Joy Coming well supported last start and won accordingly and has trialled well for his return. Should get the perfect run from barrier 3. Sight Hero looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Mixes his form being a “roarer”. Wind Speeder turned in a nice effort last run and barrier 2 should provide a perfect run.
Race 5: Splendid Living good effort last start leading all the way to win by a big margin, which was his second win in a row. The penny has dropped with him and he could still have more to offer. Hameron more than capable of winning again in this race and he appears to have more upside. Eighteen Palms has improved since the blinkers were added and he could be one to follow this season. California Voce resuming from a break and the betting market best will be the best guide. Loyal Baby has early speed and can always surprise with the right run.
Race 6: Wide-open contest here. Gorgeous Vitality drops down in grade and start following. On true form, he should be hard to hold out. Sergeant Pepper well supported last start and won accordingly and should map ideally from gate 4. G One Excellent generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. He can map a chance from his low draw. Pachisi had genuine excuses last start and consider again. However, barrier 11 is awkward. Ace Talent recent runs have been encouraging and can run well.
Race 7: Magniac disappointing last start but worth giving another chance here as he trialled nicely for his return and gets barrier 3, from where he should map a winning chance. Heroic Master always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level. Purton takes the ride from barrier 1, so plenty of boxes are ticked. California Deeply resuming from a break and won a recent trial. He gets back but will be running on. Harmony N Blessed a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead. Explosive Witness is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time.
Race 8: Plenty of speed engaged here, so the tempo of the race will prove vital to the outcome. Reward Smile nice three-year-old who showed a stack of ability last term and looks headed higher. Packing Bole disappointing last start but worth giving another chance here. Allgreektome has shown ability and gets his chance with Purton booked to ride. Excellent Peers recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. He should relish coming into barrier 2. One For All changed trainer and trialled very well recently, expect a good run.