Bowman Secures Double at Sha Tin, Climbs Jockeys' Championship Standings

Hugh Bowman secured a running double to end Wednesday’s meeting in second place in the jockeys’ championship thanks to Lucky Sam Gor and Jolly Brilliant at Sha Tin.

Bowman now sits on 61 wins for the season, one above Andrea Atzeni, while Zac Purton – who also scored a double on the day – leads the title on 136 victories.

The second leg of Bowman’s double saw Lucky Sam Gor bring Mark Newnham’s season tally up to 60, drawing level with Danny Shum and six wins behind Caspar Fownes in the trainers’ championship.

In a thrilling finish, the Press Statement galloper won the Class Three Sportsmanship Handicap in a photo from Amazing Partners, bringing up five wins for the season.

“He’s been fantastic this season. He’s gone from Class Four all the way through. It helped getting barrier one and Hugh gave him a great ride, but the horse has been consistent all the way through – he’s held his form fantastically well,” Newnham said.

The Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained Jolly Brilliant kicked off Bowman’s brace with a breakthrough win in the Class Four Riding High Together Handicap (1,600m). The Ocean Park galloper settled back in the field and swooped late to finish strongest in a busy four-way finish, beating Lucky Baleron by a neck.

Karis Teetan joined Bowman with a double, with the first leg coming aboard King Of Fighters in the Class Four Friends of Hong Kong Association Cup (1,400m). The Brett Crawford-trained galloper notched his first win after sustaining a strong run to come out on top in a three-way finish.

“From a tricky barrier of eight, we thought there would be a lot of speed in the race, so he got him into a good position and they went really fast the first two furlongs. He quickened up really well and at one point I wasn’t sure he would sustain his run. I think he’s a horse that will continue to improve and it’s just nice to see him win,” Crawford said.

Motor finished the meeting with a win for Cody Mo Wai-kit in the Class Three Better Future Handicap (1,200m), bringing up his fourth career victory when beating Super Strong Kid by a length.

Purton also chimed in with a double after booting home Lahore and Nyx Gluck.

Elsewhere on Wednesday’s card, Ka Ying Attack scored back-to-back wins for David Hall with a dominant victory in the Class Two Hong Kong Reunification Cup (1,400m).

Matthew Poon Ming-fai and the son of Too Darn Hot went forward from barrier 10 but were made to work in the early stages before crossing to the lead at the first turn. With the benefit of a light weight of 115lb, the four-year-old kicked away from Beauty Bolt, winning easily by one and a half lengths at the first time of asking at Class Two level.

“He’s been running well all season, but his last start was probably a personal best. I think if there was any concern today, it was whether he could repeat it again – and he certainly did. He did it in spades, he was very good. A little bit of pressure early, took control in the fast-run race – but maintained his gallop and he was quite impressive,” Hall said.

“I think he really enjoys the fast track, there’s no question about that. I think he’s a horse that really loves the Hong Kong surface and the race pattern; when they can dictate and control, sit up on a fast pace and kick, they’re going to win a lot of races in Hong Kong.”