Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s promising youngster Fa Fa looked the good thing of the night and the son of He’s Remarkable rewarded his supporters with another impressive win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
After saluting in smart fashion two starts back, Fa Fa was narrowly edged out last start – frustrating his trainer – but he made amends for that effort in the Class Four Robinson Handicap (1,650m).
Jockey Vincent Ho Chak-yiu settled him on the rail in midfield before switching off heels at the top of the straight to find clear running and mow down his rivals.
Lor was pleased to see Fa Fa take his record to two wins and a second from six starts and expects him to keep progressing next season.
Great ride, @Vincenthocy! Fa Fa takes the split and goes home best, securing a double on the card for the rider. #HKracing pic.twitter.com/rGaMcx4yOW
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 23, 2021
“Last start he should’ve won – if he used him a bit earlier I think he would’ve won, but that’s racing,” he said.
“I think the horse can still improve. He can go up to Class Three and get some wins. He’s only three so hopefully after the off-season break he can come back and be even better. I don’t mind either Happy Valley or Sha Tin. A mile or 1,800m is no problem for him.”
Caspar Fownes and Joao Moreira have been the most prolific trainer-jockey combination this season and the dynamic duo teamed up again to take out the feature of the night, the Class Two Bowen Handicap (1,650m) with Green Luck.
Fownes and Moreira now have 38 winners together this campaign – two more than the Brazilian and John Size – to operate at a 24 per cent strike rate.
Green Luck continued his good recent form with another strong performance, coming from midfield to run over the top of Highland Fortune in the dying stages.
“He just loves it here and he appreciates a little bit of the sting out of the track,” Moreira said. “I never felt a doubt about him winning. He gave me the confidence that he would win at the top of the straight.
“He’s a nice horse and I know he’s not getting any younger, but I’m convinced that he will still win more races.”
Green Luck has now won six of his 37 starts to collect just shy of HK$9 million in prize money.
The course and distance specialist, Green Luck, takes the feature for Caspar Fownes and Joao Moreira! #HKracing pic.twitter.com/rI5srTOKPI
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 23, 2021
“He’s done really well at this track. When the rain came today he loves that sort of condition so I’m very happy,” Fownes said. “He’s done really well for us, I’m very proud of him and very happy for the owners.
“That’s about him now – we can’t get much more improvement, he’s getting older. But he’s been a very good horse for connections and now he’s worked his [rating] into triple figures. It’s a good achievement.”
Moreira made it a double when he piloted Telecom Fighters from go to whoa in the Class Three Kennedy Handicap (1,650m).
Me Tsui Yu-sak’s four-year-old has now won three of his past four starts and is relishing his racing.
It also completed a brace for the trainer after taking out the opening race with Sky Treasure.
Sky Treasure scores a tidy all-the-way win in the opener at the Valley for @KarisTeetan & Me Tsui! #HKracing pic.twitter.com/uSk8rDaNtS
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 23, 2021
He was ridden by Karis Teetan, who had a double of his own after guiding the Size-trained Wild West Wing home in the Class Four Magazine Gap Handicap (1,000m).
Meanwhile, Harry Bentley secured the third winner of his Hong Kong stint with a peach of a ride aboard Classic Posh in the last.
Top ride! Classic Posh takes the finale for @HarryBentley_ & David Hall. @AtTheRaces #HKracing pic.twitter.com/qFgEL76K1v
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 23, 2021
The Englishman made full use of barrier two and had David Hall’s gelding in a beautiful position in running, before peeling out and winning well at $16.