Sky Jewellery joined a select band of gallopers with debut success at Happy Valley and on Wednesday the exciting three-year-old is back in action.
Sporting Tung Moon Fai’s renowned pink and yellow silks, the 60-rating galloper has come forth as a leading 2026 Four-Year-Old Classic Series candidate after becoming only the 26th horse to win on debut in Class 4 at Happy Valley since 2015 – an infrequent achievement the likes of Romantic Warrior, Lucky Sweynesse and Mr Stunning also managed to accomplish.
Contesting the third section of the Class 4 Wai Yip Handicap over 1200m, Sky Jewellery steps from barrier No 11 with Hugh Bowman up for in-form John Size – who is in the midst of another all-too familiar mid-season surge with 21 of his 26 wins returned since 1 December.
“He’s in pretty good order. He did his job very well and seemed impressive on his first day out. He’s come home and done well after that, he should be able to go on with it,” Size said.
“He showed plenty before he started racing and he promised us that he’d win first start, so he’s acquitted himself very well.”
Other rare debut winners at Happy Valley include Group 3 winner Champion’s Way, Reliable Team, Flying Ace and recent HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) third Packing Hermod. Sky Jewellery clocked 1m 10.15s (24.27, 23.20, 22.68) in victory from barrier five on 15 January; he also finished second in a turf trial on 24 January over 1200m.
“Gates are really important at that track (Happy Valley), so he’s obviously got more work to do and he’ll have to use more energy to win the race. He’s not going to get a sweet run by any means, so hopefully his class will help him out,” Size said.
The Autumn Sun gelding is out of the mare Rollout The Carpet – winner of the 2012 Grade 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). A 12-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer Size also raced Sun Jewellery for owner Tung Moon Fai, winning the 2016 Hong Kong Classic Mile and Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) – the first two Four-Year-Old Classic Series legs.
Size’s 26 wins position him fourth in the championship behind only Danny Shum (29 wins), Pierre Ng (28) and David Hayes (27). The Australian Hall Of Famer saddled Beauty Eternal, Helios Express and Red Lion at Tuesday’s (4 February) Sha Tin barrier trial session.
Speaking of Helios Express and Howdeepisyourlove (who trotted instead of trialling on Monday), Size said: “They’ve been good; they’ve been very consistent and they’ve been racing very well. There’s not much we can do about the opposition – there’s always one to beat.”
Both horses have placed at Group 1 level behind rampaging Ka Ying Rising with Helios Express twice runner-up to his record-breaking adversary. Size is expecting to saddle Beauty Eternal, Helios Express, Howdeepisyourlove and Red Lion in the HK$13 million Grade 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) against Ka Ying Rising on 23 February.
Howdeepisyourlove also holds an entry for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan on 5 April. Hong Kong-trained winners of Dubai’s straight course dash are Joy And Fun (2010), Amber Sky (2014) and California Spangle (2024).
The HK$3.12 million Class 2 Tsun Yip Handicap (1650m) is the highest-quality race with last-start Group 3 winner Helene Feeling facing seven rivals for jockey Harry Bentley and trainer Danny Shum.
Helene Feeling won last month’s HK$4.2 million G3 January Cup Handicap (1800m) carrying 117lb. The Sioux Nation galloper – rated 98 – will lug 53kg from barrier No 5.
“It was a great victory, I thought. They went quite slow in the early parts and Hugh (Bowman on Moments In Time) was able to inject (pace) up in front which helped my chances and he was able to really knuckle down under a light weight.
“Naturally it (bigger weight) is something else to contend with because it’s not going to be as easy for him to lug around as the light weight. At the end of the day, he is a big horse and he can certainly shoulder it,” Bentley said. - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Super Baby a natural front-runner making his class 5 debut, he has drawn well and should run a big race, especially with Purton aboard. You’remyeverything was used up early from a wide draw last start and could make amends with a smoother run. Smashing Express has been knocking on the door since dropping to Class 5 and must be rated a strong chance. Running Ahead finished just outside the money in his last two starts and should not be overlooked. Gallant Crown if he can cut across early from a wide draw and dictate the pace, he could be hard to run down.
Race 2: Excellent Peers has shown signs of regaining form recently and will make his presence felt in a genuinely run race. Hayday sat on pace and finished a close second last time out. He looks a strong chance given his solid record in Class 4. Colonel possessing tactical speed, he can upset some more fancied rivals on his best form. Inno Century his debut run was better than it reads, and with a much better draw, he could improve second-up. Super Sixty found the line well late in his last few starts and should make another late surge if he handles the rise in distance.
Race 3: Sky Jewellery an impressive debut winner, he looks to have plenty of upside and can prove hard to beat again despite the awkward draw. Mega Bonus boasting a strong record in Class 4, he can improve with added fitness second-up. Taihang Scenery has trialled well for his return, and the betting market will be the best guide. Prime Mortar turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. However, the wide draw is a major concern. Glory B still a maiden galloper but gets his chance to win in a race of this nature, especially with a favourable draw
Race 4: Flamingo Trillion a natural front-runner, he’s well weighted in this field and should run a big race from an inside draw. Helene Feeling flashed home late to claim a G3 victory in style last time out and remains a strong chance, despite carrying a big weight, as he drops to Class 2. Moments In Time ran out of condition late after a mid-race move last start, and could make amends with a better-timed ride. Red Hare King looks a lightweight chance and could finish in the Top 3 under the right race shape. Telecom Fighters given a soft lead, he may sneak into the placings at odds.
Race 5: Golden Rise looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. With a good steer from Purton, he can return to the winner’s list, despite the wide draw. Fortune Whiskey his recent runs have been encouraging and another bold effort wouldn’t be surprising here. Circuit Duffy holding form with a recent trial, he could have more ratings in store and looks one to follow. Galvanic went close in his last two starts and will make a late surge if the pace suits. Roaring Bebe resumes from a break and should run well with fresh legs. He’s worth considering if his odds offer value.
Race 6: Take Action won by a clear margin in this class last time out and looks poised to secure a double. Northern Beast is edging closer to another win and looks ideally placed to run a big race under Purton, particularly with a favourable draw. Amazing Award scored a narrow but impressive win in this class last start and remains a strong chance. Mission Strike showed improvement in a recent trial and could surprise at odds first-up. Smart City has shown ability and could finally break through locally with some luck in running.
Race 7: Youthful Spirits as a specialist over this distance, he looks a leading chance with in-form jockey Luke Ferraris aboard. Heroic Master his recent runs have been solid, and with a genuine pace, he will make his presence felt despite the awkward draw. Red Elegance comes off a fast-finishing second at Sha Tin, and the return to Happy Valley should suit him even better. Eternal Fortune boasting a reliable record in this class, he should be included in your exotic bets. Healthy Healthy will relish the drop in class, and with Vincent Ho aboard, he looks a strong contender for the Top 3 finish.
Race 8: Soleil Fighter looks the form choice of this race and is primed to go one better with a more favourable jockey booking. Definitive surprised at big odds last start, but the sectional data suggests it may not have been a fluke. Galaxy Witness given the wide trip he endured last time out, his fifth-place finish was meritorious, and he could cause an upset with a smoother run. Quantum Patch showed signs of regaining form last start when flashing home late into third. Setanta possesses a strong turn of foot and could finish in the placings with a genuine pace.
Race 9: View Of The World in career-best form, he now aims for a hat-trick after defying the rise in class to secure back-to-back victories last time out. Gallant Valour ran on well late into third from a wide draw last start. With a better draw, he should map closer to the speed and deliver another strong performance. Wings Of War an impressive last-start winner, a double is within his reach as he remains in the same class. Gustosisimo did not disgrace in his last run and must be rated a solid chance here. Kyrus Dragon if the race unfolds in his favour with a strong pace, he should run well.