In the biggest upset in Hong Kong in almost two years, Bright Inheritance defied his huge $165 quote to leave punters completely stunned at Sha Tin on Sunday.

There were collective gasps from racegoers as Matthew Chadwick steered Dennis Yip Chor-hong’s gelding to an unexpected victory in the Class Four Viva Pataca Handicap (1,600m).

He was the first triple-figure winner this season and the biggest since Encountered won at $199 on the final day of the 2021-22 campaign.

A two-time Murwillumbah winner in Australia pre-import, Bright Inheritance was sent out at massive odds after running 12th, 11th and 13th in his first three starts for Yip.

“I knew he had ability but every time he drew outside [barriers],” Yip said.

“This time, dropping to Class Four, the pace and everything was good for him. Everything went smoothly and he saved his energy for the straight.”

Following the win, Yip reported his stable star Massive Sovereign failed to stay 2,400m when sixth to Rebel’s Romance in the Group One Champions & Chater Cup a race earlier.

“I think a mile or 1,800m is the best distance and his maximum is 2,000m,” Yip said. “I will talk to the jockey and the owner and we will make a decision about whether we go to the [Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m)].”

Yung’s perfect tonic

After a recent stint in hospital battling illness, Benno Yung Tin-pang marked his return to the track on Sunday with a well-timed winner in Top Peak.

Struck down by pneumonia, the 65-year-old’s road to recovery received a boost when Jerry Chau Chun-lok booted home Top Peak in the Class Four Exultant Handicap (1,400m).

“I’m feeling a lot better, not 100 per cent but I feel better and it’s nice to come back,” Yung said.

Top Peak capitalised on a dream run just off the speed to beat Forerunner by a length and a half, registering his first victory at start seven.

“He did well,” Yung said. “Last start the ground was a bit soft but today the track was firmer and that was better for him. I think he’s an improving horse.”

In the Blink of an eye

He left it until late but Thunder Blink eventually allayed the fears of Jimmy Ting Koon-ho and punters when maintaining his unbeaten record with a barnstorming performance at Sha Tin.

In one of the most impressive victories on the Group One undercard, the Ribchester three-year-old rocketed home from 10th on the turn to narrowly win the Pakistan Star Plate (1,200m) under Chau.

Six weeks after winning the first Griffin race of the season, Thunder Blink overcame a slow start to salute as the $2.5 favourite when he ran down Santorini by a short head.

“This horse is a nice horse, but he scared me because he was too far back,” Ting said.

“It’s hard to catch them, but he has a very strong finish. I told the jockey ‘coming into the straight, if you’re within three lengths [of the leader], you should win’ but when he was that far back, I was scared.”

Ting said he will consider one more run this season for Thunder Blink, who has been a shining light in his handler’s otherwise lacklustre campaign.

“I think later, 1,400m and 1,600m will suit him. I hope that after this season he will improve,” Ting said.

“I’ll see if the horse is healthy and eating well after this run. If he’s OK, maybe one more run.”

Later on the card, Ting made it a double when $40 chance Huge Wave landed the Class Three River Verdon Handicap (1,400m) under Alexis Badel.

The brace lifted Ting’s tally to nine wins this term and the handler could be the beneficiary of a change to the performance criteria trainers must meet to avoid receiving a strike.

There is speculation the Jockey Club will scrap the cap on Class Five wins, which sits at two, and lower the overall benchmark from 16 victories to 14 for single-site handlers – a move that would also benefit Michael Chang Chun-wai (14 wins this season) and Me Tsui Yu-sak (12).

Awesome win no Fluke

Ricky Yiu Poon-fai believes there is more to come from Awesome Fluke after the former Australian galloper broke through for his first Hong Kong triumph on Sunday.

Winner of the Group Two WATC Derby (2,400m) in Perth last year when known as Awesome John, the son of Awesome Rock proved his staying prowess with a gritty win in the Class Three Vengeance Of Rain Handicap (2,000m) under Andrea Atzeni.

The Italian jockey fired Awesome Fluke forward from second last to sit outside the lead at the 1,200m and he fought tenaciously in the straight to beat Eighteen Carat by a neck.

After starting his Hong Kong career with Caspar Fownes, Awesome Fluke ran an encouraging third to Flamingo Trillion at Happy Valley in his first race for Yiu on May 15.

“He’s a typical stayer, 2,000m-plus is his go – he’s very one-paced,” Yiu said.

“With that win and his rating, I think there’s still a bit of upside. Even before I got him he was starting to get better and the rating is in his favour. He’s a more relaxed horse after being in Hong Kong for a while and I was the lucky recipient.”

Yiu also gave a glowing report on stable star Voyage Bubble, who galloped at Tokyo racecourse on Sunday in preparation for next Sunday’s Group One Yasuda Kinen (1,600m).

“He’s doing well. The feedback from Japan is all positive. The staff have said he’s eating up every meal and I can’t wait to see him on Friday morning,” Yiu said.