Matthew Poon Ming-fai doesn’t get too many chances on talented young horses so he knows he needs to make the most of his opportunity on the Tony Cruz-trained debutant Super Fortune at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The four-year-old son of Zoustar has impressed in his three trials, finishing second to top-line sprinter Stronger in his very first Hong Kong hit-out before finishing runner-up to South African Group Three winner Armando last month and then leading all the way to handle a bunch of Class Two and Class Three gallopers last week.
That all bodes very well for the Class Four Egret Handicap (1,000m) but Poon, who was aboard for all of them, is also realistic about the intense pressure to perform in Hong Kong – if he doesn’t get the job done, it opens the door for one of the bigger-name jockeys to swan in and pinch the ride.
“He’s had three trials so far and showed some good natural early speed. He does everything right at the gates and travelled nice in the trials so I have some expectations on him,” Poon said.
“I think he’s got some ability so I need to win on him otherwise I don’t think I can stay on him.”
The 27-year-old is off to a solid start this season with four wins and 14 placings from 80 starts but he looks set to build on those totals with a strong book of nine rides in Sunday.
Beyond Super Fortune, Poon also looks to have a strong chance with Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s last-start winner Dragon Fortune in the Class Three Sea Eagle Handicap (1,400m).
The four-year-old still looks to have some ratings points in hand and should press forward again from barrier five.
“Joao [Moreira] won on him last start, so I am pretty lucky to get on him,” Poon said. “Joao was already committed to another horse so I was able to pick up the ride. He led last start and won easily so hopefully he can do a similar thing from a good draw.”
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While he’s optimistic about Dragon Fortune, Poon is less confident about another horse Moreira won on last start in Oscar Glory.
That came last season and the belief is that Lor’s four-year-old will take a lot of benefit from whatever he does in the Class Four Peacock Handicap (1,600m).
“He’s had two trials this season – the first one didn’t look too good but the second one was better,” Poon said. “He’s got a nice inside draw so it should be easy to get a nice position either behind the leader or just outside the leader. Hopefully he can perform well but I don’t think he’s 100 per cent yet.”
In the day’s feature, the Class Two Swan Handicap, Poon jumps aboard Golden Dash for Danny Shum Chap-shing.
The seven-year-old has been solid in his two starts this campaign but is entering new territory as he steps up to 1,400m for the first time in his career.
“Danny told me he went well last start and he thinks he can handle the distance,” he said. “So hopefully I’ll be able to get a good position and show a little bit more this time.”
