Hugh Bowman rides Happy Valley treble

Hugh Bowman is riding high after a stellar treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, pushing past 70 wins for the Hong Kong season and setting a new personal benchmark just ahead of his Shergar Cup appearance at Ascot.

The Australian veteran, preparing to join Karis Teetan in the Shergar Cup on August 9, opened the meeting with back-to-back narrow victories aboard Notthesillyone for Mark Newnham and Shinkansen for Douglas Whyte, edging both races by a short head and surpassing last season’s 69-win tally.

Bowman’s evening climaxed with a stunning come-from-behind victory in the Class 2 Begonia Handicap (1800m) aboard Jumbo Legend for Caspar Fownes. From last at the final bend, Jumbo Legend surged home in 1:48.64, covering the final 400m in 22.66 seconds to defeat Woodfire Bro and Cambridge.

With only two race meetings left this term, Bowman sits in second place on 71 wins, trailing only Zac Purton (132), and well ahead of Andrea Atzeni (55).

“It helped not being injured,” Bowman said about reaching the 70-win mark. “I spent a lot of time injured and being suspended last season, so time in the saddle might be the key but I’ve had a good season, a good support base and I think I’ve had a good consistent year.

“I feel like I can do better but I’m satisfied with how we’ve gone this season and I would like to build on it next year.”

He also confirmed his participation in the Shergar Cup, where he will represent the Rest of The World team led by Teetan against squads from Great Britain and Ireland, Asia, and Europe.

“I was invited to ride in that (Shergar Cup), so plans are being made around that so that will keep me honest in the middle (of the Hong Kong off-season),” Bowman said.

Bowman’s early wins came in the Class 5 Hawthorn Handicap (1000m) aboard Notthesillyone and the Class 5 Magnolia Handicap (1650m) on Shinkansen. Trainer Mark Newnham was full of praise for Bowman’s ride on the former.

“Hugh executed the plan perfectly,” Newnham said. “He had his opportunity today, he had a good gate (two), he was in good form, he had the right grounding into the race – unfortunately Lyle Hewitson, who had stuck with him the whole way, was out injured and we picked up Hugh and he did the job for us.”

Douglas Whyte also landed a double after Ace Power surged to victory under Luke Ferraris in the first section of the Class 4 Garden Handicap (1200m).

David Hayes-trained Red Majesty secured his 10th win over the course and distance in the Class 4 Green Handicap (1650m) under Antoine Hamelin, a result that brought his career earnings past HK$11 million and bolstered Hayes’ title hopes. Hayes now has 60 wins for the season, trailing John Size’s 66.

“Really thrilled that he could win his 10th race at Happy Valley, I think it’s the record and we were planning for this to be his last race, but the owners may change their minds,” Hayes said. “He’s an old, healthy boy and he’s at the top of his game – it might just be time to retire this old champion.

“He’s a special horse and the whole stable loves him. If he does retire then it’s a great way to retire, on top.”

Red Majesty’s Happy Valley record now includes 10 wins, 9 seconds, 2 thirds, and 8 fourths from 60 starts over 1650m.

Victor The Rapid dazzled in the second section of the Class 4 Garden Handicap (1200m), winning for Jerry Chau and earning big wraps from trainer Pierre Ng.

“The pace was well suited for him, he was just at the back and chased. I’m very happy for the owners. I always thought he was capable of a performance like that – he will have a very good future,” Ng said.

In the Class 4 Fa Po Handicap (1000m), Lucky Twenty made a strong debut for trainer Jimmy Ting and rider James Orman, despite an unfavourable draw.

“It was a surprise, I thought that maybe he would run good, but the draw (gate 11) was too bad. I thought maybe he would not be fast enough to go in front – he had shown speed in the trial but today was his first run in Happy Valley and in the paddock, he was a bit nervous and was sweating. I hoped he would go okay but I didn’t think he would win,” Ting said.

Whizz Kid returned to winning form for the first time since January 2023 with a strong run in the Class 3 Briar Handicap (1000m) under Tony Cruz and Harry Bentley. The night ended with Sovereign Fund’s impressive finish under Karis Teetan to take out the Class 3 Cotton Tree Handicap (1200m) for Michael Chang.

Hong Kong racing resumes this Sunday (July 13) at Sha Tin with the season’s final twilight fixture, a key day for punters and fans of betting alike.