Bidding to record a 1,600th training win in Hong Kong, Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee John Size saddles an imposing team of nine runners spread evenly across today’s nine-race fixture at Happy Valley.
A master of his craft, Size, 70, is a 12-time champion trainer in Hong Kong, who landed a first title in his debut season (2001/02) in the city. He won it again in 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 & 2022/23 and trails only former trainer John Moore (1,735 wins) for career victories in Hong Kong with 1,599.
Size initially started out in Queensland working with Pat Duff and Henry Davis. He then trained there before transferring to the ultra-competitive Sydney circuit, achieving instant success by developing a reputation for rekindling the spark in his horses.
Size has trained two Hong Kong Horse-Of-The-Year recipients: Electronic Unicorn (2001/02) and Grand Delight (2002/03). The record-breaker leads the 2024/25 trainers’ championship with 56 wins, six more than his nearest rival David Hayes, with 16 fixtures remaining.
Preparing nine horses for Happy Valley’s midweek programme, Size’s representation includes A Americ Te Specso, who seeks a hat-trick of wins in the Class 3 On Lan Handicap over 1650m with in-form jockey Andrea Atzeni.
Atzeni said: “He won over 1650m with near enough to bottom weight and then he backed up last time – up six pounds. But it was a very similar scenario to the time before when he won – the race set up quite similar and he won again. He’s a very straightforward horse, although the 1650m is really a maximum trip.
“He kept running well over 1200m and I’d say if there were 1400m races at the Valley, he would have won a bit more by now. He’s sort of in no man’s land, really, 1200m is sometimes a bit sharp for him and then 1650m can be a little far for him.”
A Americ Te Specso has won six times at Happy Valley. The Per Incanto gelding will step away from barrier No 9 this time.
“He’s still in Class 3 and obviously he’s carrying more weight but I’m confident he can get a similar scenario in this race,” Atzeni said.
Atzeni will ride Bundle Award for Size in Sunday’s (25 May) HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) against the likes of Dubai Honour and Triple Crown-seeking Voyage Bubble.
“He’s (Bundle Award) quite lightly raced here and he won nicely last start in a Group 3 over the same trip (2400m). Hopefully he can get a nice trip around and it’s a very open race,” Atzeni said.
Size also saddles Ensued in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup.
Trainer Me Tsui fields a strong team of seven runners at Happy Valley, led by Dragon Star in the second section of the Class 4 Glenealy Handicap (1650m) with jockey Karis Teetan. Consistent, Dragon Star has finished second in his past three appearances.
“He ran great last time. He was just beaten on the line and I thought it was a great effort from the horse. I’m looking forward to riding him again – he’s a warrior,” Teetan said. “I think if he goes to the races with the same form and gets a softer run then it might just work out his way.”
Tsui also saddles Thesis, Deal Completed, Sergeant Pepper, Candlelight Dinner, Another Zonda and Everstar at the city circuit. – Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: New Power had genuine excuses last start (held up at the turn), and in a below-par Class 4 field this week, he deserves another chance. Jumbo Treasure possesses tactical speed an could be hard to run down if given an uncontested lead. Endued recorded the fastest final 400m sectional time last start, and improvement is expected with a favourable draw. Shotgun rattled home strongly last time out, and from a low draw, he should enjoy a smooth trip and secure a Top 3 finish. Metal King showed improvement last start and could place at odds.
Race 2: Verbier suited by the drop in distance, he will give them something to chase despite the wide draw. Smiling Emperor will relish dropping to Class 5, where he finished a close second three starts ago. Windicator Family based on his recent efforts, he looks capable of bouncing back anytime in the cellar grade. Medic Elite produced an encouraging effort to finish third first-up, and with added fitness, he should be highly competitive. Cool Blue finally broke through last time out, and an inside draw should give him every chance to go back-to-back
Race 3: Written Casa finds a winnable race after dropping to Class 4, and based on his racing style, the rise in distance should suit him better. Thesis ran on well to finish a close second despite a wide trip last start. With a smoother run, he could go one better. Soaring Bronco has been in great form recently and a win wouldn’t be surprising. Flying Wrote finished a solid fourth when trying this trip for the first time last start. He must be considered a strong chance. Turin Warrior capable but unpredictable, he is worth considering if his odds offer value.
Race 4: Mighty Commander comes off a luckless third last start where he was held up at a crucial stage. With even luck in running, he can prove hard to beat. Jumbo Fortune has shown consistent form in Class 4 and must be included among the better chances. Dragon Star was narrowly beaten last start, but the wide draw poses a challenge this time. Atomic Beauty has regained his form recently, suggesting another win is imminent. Simple Hedge a proven performer at this level, he could cause an upset on his day.
Race 5: Lean Master stuck on well for fourth in a fast run race at Sha Tin last start, and looks on track to make amends facing an easier task this week. Savvy Twinkle ran his best race to date last time out, so it is no surprise to see Purton jump aboard. Happy United his last run was better than it appears given the wide trip, and he could bounce back with better luck. Sergeant Pepper has drawn well and looks capable of surprising at odds, as he has done in the past. Day Day Victory comes off a double in Class 5 and remains a chance despite rising to Class 4.
Race 6: Loving Vibes scored a strong on-pace win despite a fast tempo last start, and looks poised to secure back-to-back victories in Class 4. Nebraskan a dangerous frontrunner, he could be hard to run down with a well-timed ride. Draco is much better than his recent form suggests and could cause an upset. Super Sixty well placed with the apprentice claim, he should get every chance to land a double from a decent draw. Thriving Brothers was beaten by only half a length last time out and could make amends with a better draw.
Race 7: Victory Sky appears overdue for his first Hong Kong win and looks on track to go one better, following a close last-start second. King Miles his recent runs suggest another win is just around the corner and he shapes up as a strong contender with Purton staying aboard. Sugar Sugar often underrated, he could surprise at value against more fancied rivals. Harmony N Blessed has good early speed and do not underestimate his ability. Lo Pan Spirit had genuine excuses (raced wide) last start, but will need to cope with another wide draw this time.
Race 8: Embraces boasting strong Sha Tin form around quality horses, he must be considered a leading contender in his second start back at Happy Valley. A Americ Te Specso scored his last two starts at generous odds, so he should not be overlooked again this time. Sky Trust will find this field easier compared to his recent starts at Sha Tin, making him an intriguing runner to watch. King Of Fighters having his first try at this distance, so any market move should be respected. Harold Win has been in consistent form and appears well weighted to produce another strong showing.
Race 9: Sovereign Fund let down well to finish third in a slowly run race last start and looks to get all the favours this time. Happy Fat Cat a natural frontrunner in career-best form, he looks set to continue his strong run, despite carrying top weight. Power Koepp scored a tenacious win in this class last time out, and a double is well within his reach. Superb Boy showed improvement with a solid fourth last start, and with a favourable draw, a Top 3 finish would not surprise. Nucleozor could sneak into the placings at odds with a more patient ride.