Jerry Chau Chun-lok extended his lead in the race for the Tony Cruz Award when he made the most of a few opportunities to claim the double at Sha Tin on Saturday.
Cody Mo Wai-kit’s Jolly Jumper win and Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s Effortless win took Chau’s tally for the season to 37 – eight more than the next best home rider, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu.
“I only had four riders today, but they are capable and today’s track is good for our horses. So, I am very happy to complete the job,” said Chau.
Jolly Jumper was the first double for Chau and Mo when he claimed the Pok Fu Lam Grade Five School Handicap (1,400m).
Belardo’s filly returned to the winner’s list for the first time since May last year after Chau sent the four-year-old forward from a wide draw at the 13th gate to sit outside the leader, leading straight to a comfortable victory by a length and a quarter over Superb Guy.
Mo was delighted with Jolly Jumper’s second career win at the start of his 23-year career following a series of gear changes.
“He had a bad habit before of hanging. So a few races ago I just put the blinker on one side and the hanging problem was solved. This time at 1,400m, I put a blinder on to make him focus more,” Mo said.
Effortless Win topped Chau’s double as he continued a fine season for Lor’s Trainer Syndicate by winning the Grade Three Lei Yue Mun Park Handicap (1,200m) on his Hong Kong debut.
Arriving in the city with a slow victory at Doomben Stadium, he was instantly at home in the perfect mood to deliver the Sha Tin song. After chasing leaders Gold Patch and Superb Capitalist, Chau issued his challenge 300 meters from home. Facing favorite Golden Patch, he put him away and then held off a late challenge from the fast-finishing Thriving Brothers to win by a neck.
“He tried a few times in Hong Kong, he had the speed of the gate. So that’s why I asked Jerry, try to go ahead if you can. So he did, like the test and he got a little lucky and won the race here,” Lor said after Effortless Win joined Count and Salon S as winners this season in his rally.
“I thought he was going to be close. I was a bit surprised when he won the race because you can see Zac Purton’s horse (Gold Patch) is really good and his 11th draw was probably tough for him – so it’s a bit of luck for me today.”
Oneshot beat Mo in just his third start and in six days’ extra time after being posted as the $70.35 place in the Grade Four Lei Yue Mun Public Riding School (1,000m).
The son of Wrote was returned to the 1,000m trip with cheek pieces for the first time, with Karis Teetan riding fast to lift the visitor to victory over Master Payment by three-quarters of a length.
Oneshot had finished fifth on debut under 1,000m straight last month, but was sent off at a heavy price after a 14th race over 1,200m in second place at Sha Tin.
“You can see at the start of the 1,000 meters he ran in fifth place and after winning he continued. You can see the second start, the last start, twice he got into trouble, so it was unlucky,” Mo said.
“So after two races the fitness and everything improved, and he came back in the 1,000m and I put cheek pieces on to make him more focused. So luckily he got the win.”
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