Orman makes his mark in Hong Kong

James Orman has hit the ground running in Hong Kong and the Australian heads to Happy Valley on Wednesday armed with seven mounts including last-start winner Turin Warrior in the Class 4 Sichuan Bipenggou Tourist Attractions Handicap over 1650m.

Orman, 27, has made an immediate impact with two wins from six rides on a short-term contract which runs until after the race meeting on 2 April. The in-demand jockey is eyeing more momentum at the city circuit as he aims to capitalise on his biggest book of rides yet.

“I’ve got to thank Ricky Yiu’s team for the support they have given me early and now things are starting to pick up for me. You come here, start at the bottom and work your way up through the ladder, so that’s what I’m planning to do,” Orman said.

“I’m here to work hard and I’m really enjoying my time so far – I love it.”

A winner of more than 1,300 races with experience competing in Australia and the United Arab Emirates, Orman has won the past three Queensland riding titles – including with 197 wins in 2022/23 – and partners King Glorioso, Magic Beans, Prime Mortar, S J Tourbillon, Mighty Commander and Seasons Wit along with Turin Warrior at the midweek programme.

“He (Turin Warrior) gave me a great feel in the trial. It’s a good pick up from Manfred Man’s stable. He trialled up really nice in the same trial as My Wish – so the trial form is good.

“He’s a horse who usually sits off the speed but there looks to be a good tempo, obviously at Happy Valley there’s always a good tempo. He’s won two of his last three so his form is right there,” Orman said.

The skilled Orman’s first two triumphs in Hong Kong came atop Charming Babe and The Concentration – both for Yiu – at the most recent two fixtures. Drawn in barrier No 3, Turin Warrior has won twice this season over this course and distance.

“He’s a really fit horse and as Manfred said he was ‘just ticking over in his trackwork’ – he wasn’t out do a lot,” Orman said.

Mighty Commander features with Orman in the Class 3 Kwoon Chung Bus 60th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1200m) against Young Emperor, Nordic Dragon, Francis Meynell, Sunny Da Best, Golden Empire, Romantic Son, Tai Victory, Beauty Infinity and Capital Legend (120lb).

British ace Ryan Moore concludes his short-term contract with nine rides at the Valley, pairing with Smashing Express, Bowser, Glorious Success, Endued, Golden Rise, Beauty Alliance, Sunny Da Best, Happy Daily and A Americ Te Specso.

Two-time winner Sunny Da Best is owned by Matthew Wong BBS, Chairman and founder of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings Limited. Trained by Chris So, the four-year-old debuts at Happy Valley this week having trialled there once previously for second last October.

“It’s my owner’s sponsorship night. I hope he (Sunny Da Best) performs,” So said. “I think he will be suited there (Happy Valley). The pace should be faster in the early stages and he will come home strong.

“He’s a nice horse. Early in the season he was a bit disappointing over 1400m. We’ve brought him back to 1200m and he’s performed well.”

Wong also owned Group 2 winner Not Listenin’tome, 2006 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) winner Sunny Sing and the quality Sunny King. He was also syndicate manager of star galloper Collection, while daughter Janice Wong currently owns Super Sunny Sing. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Smashing Express has been knocking on the door, and with Ryan Moore aboard, he can finally break through in the cellar grade. Super Hong Kong should be highly suited by the rise in distance and being a proven performer over this trip ticks another box. Nice Birdie is better than his recent form suggests and could produce an improved effort from a low draw. Gold Tack attacked the line well from a wide draw last time out, and with a better draw, further improvement is expected. Golden Fairy has good early speed and could be hard to catch if allowed a soft lead.

Race 2: Bowser was far from distanced with a solid fourth last start and appears well placed in a winnable race, especially with Ryan Moore in the saddle. Happy United has shown improvement since dropping back to Class 4 and must be respected despite carrying top weight. Colonel has tactical speed but is inconsistent, and could surprise at value on his day. Lucky Planet will find this field more manage- able than his previous starts and should map well from an inside draw. Gimme Five still a maiden galloper but gets his chance to break through in a race like this.

Race 3: Aestheticism finished well from a wide draw last start; a lower draw should see him settle closer and be highly competitive. Glorious Success is overdue for his first local win and his consistency could be rewarded if he gets some luck from an awkward draw. Super Unicorn missed narrowly last start and looks to be a value choice, despite an unfavourable jockey booking. M Unicorn likes to get back and charge home late, so the pace will be a key factor for him to perform well. Ivy League turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly, and should run well with a favourable draw

Race 4: Dragon Four Seas his recent runs have been encouraging, including a solid third behind the talented Magnifique at Sha Tin last time out. Endued recorded a fast final 400m sectional time last start and could improve into the money with the drop in class. Swagger Bro will relish the drop in class and could surprise at odds. Telecom Power well-placed at the weights, he can make his presence felt if the pace suits. Loveisintheair a newcomer from an astute yard, he has shown progress with each trial and the betting market will be the key indicator.

Race 5: Mega Bonus gave a good sight and stuck on well to finish third last start. From pole position, he should enjoy a perfect trip and be hard to run down. Golden Rise looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. However, it will require a masterful ride from Ryan Moore to secure victory from a wide draw. Star Figure is well prepared for his debut and must be respected. Silver Spurs had genuine excuses last start and could place at value. Colourful Winner has tactical speed and is capable of causing an upset here.

Race 6: Beauty Alliance finished a solid third in a quality race at Sha Tin last time out and looks primed to score as he returns to Happy Valley. Mission Strike showed improvement with a fast-finishing third last start and should play a key role. Hakka Radiance backing up quickly from a solid last start effort, he gets in well at the weights, though the wide draw remains a concern. Me Time let down well in the straight last start and can make his presence felt under the right race shape. Can’t Go Wong with a conservative racing style, he requires a genuine pace to perform at his best.

Race 7: Sunny Da Best his recent performances at Sha Tin have been encouraging and he must be considered a leading chance on his Happy Valley debut. Francis Meynell had genuine excuses last start (raced wide) and can make amends with a smoother run. Beauty Infinity made considerable ground late in a slowly run race last start and looks to be a value choice. Romantic Son overlook his last start effort as there were genuine excuses, and is worth giving another chance. Young Emperor boasts an eye-catching first-up record and should be included among the better chances.

Race 8: Happy Daily looks a strong contender in this wide-open field, following a fast-finishing fourth two weeks ago. Turin Warrior stormed home for a brilliant win last start and looks capable of securing back-to-back victories as he remains in Class 4. Sky Vino has shown ability and get his chance to win in this field. Jumbo Fortune was narrowly beaten last start and should have every chance to go one better from a favourable draw. Prestige Good Dropping to Class 4 for the first time, he could sneak into the placings at odds.

Race 9: Eason his eye-catching last-start effort suggests another win is just around the corner. Spicy Gold has ability and comes off a strong second over this track and distance. He must be rated a strong contender. Sports Legend a fast beginner, he could be hard to run down with a well-timed ride, following a much needed first-up run. A Americ Te Specso was slow to begin but found the line well late in his last two starts. He should secure a Top 3 finish if he jumps cleanly. Aurio he has shown improvement with each run, but has to cope with a wide draw this time.