Karis Teetan collected the third Happy Valley quartet of his career – and second of the season – as Me Tsui Yu-sak snared his first treble in more than two and a half years and Danny Shum Chap-shing unveiled a potential Classic Series contestant on an eventful Wednesday night at the city track.
The Mauritian jockey was the dominant performer at the midweek meeting, opening the card with a peach of a ride on Sky Gem, before combining with Tsui for a running double aboard Telecom Smart and Happy Tango and capping it off with a front-running effort aboard the David Hayes-trained Red Majesty, who has now strung together three straight wins.
“It’s just one of these nights when things go your way. It’s been a long season – it’s not over yet – but it’s nice to get a four-timer,” Teetan said.
Incredible ride! @KarisTeetan pulls of a remarkable mid-race move in the opener as Sky Gem bolts in. #HKracing pic.twitter.com/MqMvxdviRA
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 9, 2021
“You have to appreciate these nights, they don’t happen often. I appreciate all the support I’ve had from owners and trainers for these opportunities.”
In addition to the two earlier results with Teetan, Tsui took out the night’s feature, the Class Two Castle Peak Bay Handicap (1,000m), with the improving Harmony And Rich.
The trainer was full of praise for jockey Matthew Chadwick, who went straight to the front on the four-year-old to deliver him his third victory from his past four starts.
Matthew Chadwick takes his record to a perfect three aboard Harmony And Rich, capping a treble for trainer Me Tsui in the process! #HKracing pic.twitter.com/0VL7CCKMAX
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 9, 2021
“He’s surprised me a little bit. I thought he might be a chance, but not win like that,” Tsui said. “But the jockey’s riding manner really helped the horse. He just got going early and didn’t worry about anyone else – the horse really responded to that. It gives the horse confidence.”
It was Tsui’s first treble since October 28, 2018 when Dragon Pioneer, Almababy and Starlit Knight prevailed at Sha Tin.
“It’s really nice [to get a treble] – I only get one or two of them a season,” said Tsui, who now has 31 winners for the campaign.
The horse with the most potential is the Shum-trained Packing Victory, who showed his class with a dominant debut victory.
The talented three-year-old looked a likely type in his trials, starting favourite in the Class Four Port Shelter Handicap (1,200m) off the back of that, and he justified his $3 quote with a terrific performance.
Ridden by Zac Purton, Packing Victory was sent forward from barrier one and sat just behind early leader Winning Delago before putting paid to his rival on the turn and coming away to win by two and a half lengths.
Tough effort! Packing Victory digs deep for a tidy breakthrough success under @zpurton. #HKracing pic.twitter.com/qCdw1GNQBm
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 9, 2021
It was the run of a horse with upside and given his breeding – by Reliable Man out of a Lonhro mare – he should improve as he gets over more ground.
“He’s a nice horse, hopefully he can get [to the four-year-old series],” Shum said. “He’s still green – you could see him shift out on the turn and in the straight.
“He’s got potential, he’s got ability but he still needs to learn more. He will be better over further as well. I think he’ll progress through – 1,400m, 1,600m, 1,800m – he shouldn’t have any problem with [those distances].”
Another smart three-year-old who continues to progress through the grades is the Douglas Whyte-trained Harmony Fire, who notched his third victory at his sixth start.
It's the master & the apprentice! Harmony Fire goes back-to-back under @JerryChau15 for @DJWhyteTrainer. #HKracing pic.twitter.com/eiSGCCDJ1b
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 9, 2021
Given a great steer by apprentice Jerry Chau Chun-lok, Harmony Fire ran over the top of his rivals to claim the Class Three Deep Bay Handicap (1,000m).
“He’s progressively got better all the time, he’s been a thorough professional since he stepped into my stable. He’s very straightforward,” Whyte said.
“He’s going to have a nice break now. He’s a nice horse and I couldn’t ask for more than what he’s done and I look forward to seeing him next season.”
It was the first of a double for the Whyte-Chau combination, who also took out the last with the promising McLucky.