Danny Shum Chap-shing went level with the trainers’ championship leaders after securing the treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night courtesy of Harmony Galaxy, Fantastic Fun and Always My Folks.
The three-time Shum saw him move into third place in the championship with 45 wins, three behind joint leaders Mark Newnham and Caspar Fownes.
“I hope I can continue, it has been a good season. I don’t have many good Sha Tin horses so it will be difficult (to win the title), but I will do my best,” Shum said.
Harmony Galaxy enjoyed the step up to 1,800m, scoring his first win of the season in the Grade Four Handicap Advantage with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle.
After leveling the midfield, the Courtier player was pushed 400 meters away and brought down to catch Kingly Demeanor with a short header.
“He ran a really good race, but it was a world-class performance by Brenton. He loves this track and the distance,” Shum said.
Fantastic Fun carried the top weight of 135lbs to victory in the Class Four Winning Try Handicap (1,650m), recording his third Hong Kong win – all of which have been with Hugh Bowman.
The son of Justify enjoyed his return to Grade Four company last time out with a second start and did even better this time.
“He got a lot of speed which helped him and he got a good draw, so he was impressive, very happy. Class Four is better, Class Three is struggling,” Shum said.
Always My Folks had their first win with Zac Purton in the HK Sevens Handicap 50th Anniversary Class Five (1,000m). Shum’s steady transfer has been boosted by success from the unfortunate 12 last week, scoring in his fourth start for the trainer.
Elsewhere on Wednesday night, David Hayes and Harry Bentley combined for two races, which began with the World Champion in the first leg of the Grade Four Two City Passions Handicap (1,200m).
The son of Written Tycoon won the 12th barrier to track the pace before taking the lead in the straight and going to close by a length on Argento Ocean.
“It was a good performance, obviously being taken out was a bit of a concern at first but he’s a horse that goes forward and has early pace, so we were able to get a good early position and the pace went straight back,” Bentley said.
“He filled his lungs to the top and kicked well around the bend. He’s a horse coming into a good vein of form and accelerated well.”
The All-Round winner sealed a double for the pair in the second leg of the Grade Three Scrum Half Handicap (1,650m).
“He’s been consistent all season and he’s found his place here, I think. He’s a good Valley horse and I think he’s going to win again because he’s just going to be at the bottom of the Class Three,” Hayes said.
Bowman went on to make it two goals with a fast ride on the Jamie Richards-trained Storming Dragon in the second leg of the Grade Four Rugby Handicap Championship (1,200m).
The Star Turn’s galloper surged forward from barrier 11 to put down the leader, Cloud Nine, and went to bring him down by a length at the line.
“I said to Hugh before the race to keep an open mind, a horse doesn’t need to be ridden quietly all the time and I think when Northern Fire Ball got scratched in the barrier, it definitely helped us get through easily from the wide draw,” Richards said.
A five-year-old boy defied the terrifying figure to help Richards.
“I was reading the paper this morning and I saw that there was a two per cent strike to win from barrier 11 on the A course and I was angry, but thankfully the horse has done a good job and Hugh gave him a good ride,” Richards said.
Purton also scored twice after leading the John Saizi-trained Beauty Alliance in the Grade Three Hong Kong Rugby Cup (1,650m).
“He was in a good position and that was the best place for him if he was going to win. It was a great ride that was well executed – it’s typical of Zac,” Size said.
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