David Hall hopes Ka Ying Attack (115lb) can continue an impressive rise through the grades next season after the four-year-old clinched the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Wednesday (1 July).

Ridden by Matthew Poon, the gelding earned a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million after leading throughout from barrier 10 to defeat Beauty Bolt (115lb) by a length-and-a-half with Regal Gem (116lb) third in a slick 1m 20.78s.

Making it two victories in a row, the Too Darn Hot gelding impressed Hall with a dominant performance.

“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,” Hall said. “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.

“I think he really enjoys the fast track, there’s no question about that. He never looks that brilliant in his trials on the all-weather and then race day he seems to take it to another level. So, 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. He’s going to have to keep improving, he’s going to have to step up again. But he’s got a great race pattern, puts himself in a good position, and he’s probably a bit flexible with his distances. Let’s hope there’s still a little bit more left.”

Poon said: “Going up to Class 2 with a little weight was always going to be a benefit. We know he (Ka Ying Attack) loves to roll along – and with a light weight, even better – so we were confident he could run well in Class 2, but with barrier 10, we couldn’t be that confident.

“He was able to win and hopefully next season, he will be even better and stronger and he will still be very competitive in Class 2. He’s tough, he breathes so well, he has a nice action and good heart, so I believed he could do it with 115lb. It just depended at the start on how much energy I had to spend from barrier 10.”

Michael Chang’s Straight To Glory closed powerfully to claim the Class 3 Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup Handicap (1000m) for Derek Leung as Caspar Fownes maintained a five-win lead in the trainers’ championship with only four meetings left.

The four-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer posted his 66th win of the term when Silver Spurs (118lb) landed the Class 4 Serving The Community Handicap (1200m) under apprentice Ellis Wong to maintain the status quo in the race for the title.

Nearest rival Danny Shum (61 wins) maintained contact with Fownes with the victory of Nyx Gluck (134lb) in the Class 4 Continuous Development Handicap (1400m) under Zac Purton, while Mark Newnham is next on 60 wins.

Hugh Bowman regained second place in the jockeys’ championship with 61 wins behind the championship-leading Purton (136) with a double, striking aboard Newnham’s Lucky Sam Gor (128lb) in the Class 3 Sportsmanship Handicap (1600m) and Ricky Yiu’s Jolly Brilliant (129lb) in the Class 4 Riding High Together Handicap (1600m).

Brett Crawford and Karis Teetan teamed up for their 17th win in tandem this term when King Of Fighters (133lb) edged to a narrow success in the Class 4 The Friends Of Hong Kong Association Cup Handicap (1400m).

Teetan closed the meeting in style with success on Cody Mo’s Motor (122lb) in the Class 3 Better Future Handicap (1200m). Motor has triumphed four times from 11 starts this season, while rising from a mark of 53 to 67 before today’s success.

Pierre Ng’s Frantanck (121lb) bowed out of racing with victory under apprentice Nichola Yuen in the Class 5 Racing Goes On Handicap (1600m).

“Unfortunately. this is the last race and he’ll be retiring, so best of luck for him and hopefully he’ll have a great future,” Ng said.

A dual winner in England for William Haggas, Frantanck won three of 39 starts in Hong Kong for earnings of HK$4.66 million.

Dennis Yip and Ethan Brown combined with Top To Sky (133lb) to land the Class 5 World-Class Leadership Handicap (1400m) before Purton piloted Lahore (128lb) to victory in the Class 4 Uncompromising Integrity Handicap (1000m) for trainer Jamie Richards.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Saturday (4 July).

By Leo Schlink

Photo: HKJC