Ethan Brown Aims to Build on Treble Success with Group Three Rides

Ethan Brown will be hoping to continue the momentum of a superb treble when he picks up Group Three rides aboard Patch Of Theta and Chancheng Glory at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The 26-year-old could scarcely believe his luck last Saturday at Sha Tin when Country Dancer, Prestige Hall and Endued all roared home in front to give him the biggest day of his stint so far.

The trio of wins doubled his Hong Kong tally, with a pair of them coming for John Size and another for David Hall – two trainers who have thrown plenty of support his way since he arrived.

Riding trebles in the city is something that even the seasoned riders here aspire to and for Brown, it was such a fanciful idea that he did not even have it listed as a goal.

“It’s hard to ride trebles in country Victoria, let alone here, so it’s something I’ll never forget,” Brown said. “It meant a lot to me to ride two winners for John Size. All I wanted to do was ride a winner for him – even just having a ride for him is big.

“His support has been great so to execute like I did last week, it feels great and it means a lot. Riding one for David Hall feels the same, as he has supported me since I first got here.

“I certainly didn’t have a treble on my bingo card – I was going to be happy with a few winners to be honest. I came here as a learning experience and to step out of my comfort zone, it’s all just come to fruition.”

Another big step for Brown will be Sunday, where he has picked up two Group Three rides for Francis Lui Kin-wai, including the course and distance specialist Patch Of Theta in the Premier Cup (1,400m).

Six of Patch Of Theta’s seven wins have come over the 1,400m trip at Sha Tin, most recently in February when he collected the Class One Mirs Bay Handicap over a very smart field.

Winner of the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) in 2025, he also has the class to compete at this level and was only beaten a length and a quarter in this race 12 months ago.

“It’s a very good ride to pick up, he trialled great last Thursday,” Brown said. “I was very happy and really looked forward to it.

“The 1,400m trip is certainly his best and I’m grateful to Francis – he’s given me good support.”

Brown will also take the reins aboard likeable six-year-old Chancheng Glory, who will look to turn back the clock in the Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m).

It has been a while between drinks for the Mor Spirit galloper, who last tasted victory when landing the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) last year.

His brilliant second in the Group Three Korea Cup (1,800m) at Seoul Racecourse in September is the best run of this campaign, with subsequent efforts back on Hong Kong soil not quite living up to that performance.

“Getting Group rides was high on my list, but just to get any rides is good – it’s tough going here and I can feel that,” Brown said. “To be able to get the support, especially from those good trainers, means a lot.

“I’ve just got to do my job when they put me on.”