Jockey Karis Teetan joined illustrious company at Sha Tin on Sunday, banking an early double to move to 600 Hong Kong wins.
After opening the card with victory aboard Benno Yung Tin-pang’s River Views in the first section of the Class Four Ruby Handicap (1,400m), the Mauritian secured a running brace thanks to the success of Me Tsui Yu-sak’s Superb Daddy in the Class Five Spessartine Garnet Handicap (1,600m).
“It’s good. Of course, it’s always nice, but I don’t usually worry about the numbers too much,” Teetan said.
“I just try to ride as many winners as I can. Without the support of the owners and trainers, it’s not easy to do it. So, thanks to all of the connections. I just hope it keeps going now.”
River Views breaks through! The Written Tycoon 4YO takes the opener for @KarisTeetan. #HKracing pic.twitter.com/YPiLu9cuCa
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 25, 2023
Teetan joins Douglas Whyte, Zac Purton, Joao Moreira, Tony Cruz, Brett Prebble, Gary Moore, Basil Marcus, Gerald Mosse and Felix Coetzee in reaching the 600 mark.
While his output in 2022-23 is down on recent years, due largely to an extended absence with a thyroid condition early in the campaign, the 33-year-old has still amassed 53 victories through 81 of the term’s 88 meetings.
He sits fourth in the jockeys’ premiership – just one win behind third-placed Hugh Bowman – and will have his sights set firmly on a spot on the podium behind Zac Purton – who on Sunday mathematically secured a title he has had in his keeping for months – and Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, who is enjoying a career-best campaign.
Backed into favouritism in the minutes before the jump, River Views was able to get an easy lead from barrier two and the four-year-old dug deep late to hold off the closing Compassion Spirit and break his Hong Kong maiden at start 17.
6⃣0⃣0⃣ HONG KONG WINS! 🙌🙌🙌
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 25, 2023
Take a bow, @KarisTeetan! The Me Tsui-trained Superb Daddy delivers the milestone win. #HKracing pic.twitter.com/Y83RcKY8BG
The win of Superb Daddy – who travelled second last before storming to victory down the outside – was a welcome one for Tsui, but unfortunately will not help him in his quest to avoid a second strike because it came in Class Five.
Elsewhere on an afternoon dominated by Purton – he claimed both Group Three features in tandem with John Size on his way to a five-timer – Matthew Chadwick tasted Class Two success with Tony Cruz.
While Size-Purton runner Golden Express was the red-hot $1.4 favourite for the Topaz Handicap (1,200m), Beauty Charge enjoyed a patient ride from Chadwick to finish over the top of his rivals as the $7.25 second favourite.
Running for the first time since March after suffering an eye injury in April, Beauty Charge rung up his first victory in Class Two at his second attempt and will now find himself on a rating in the 90s.
The favourite goes under! Beauty Charge takes the Class 2 dash at Sha Tin for @mattLchadwixk and Tony Cruz! #HKracing pic.twitter.com/yIjmOHPRiN
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 25, 2023
While Size added the Class Three victory of Helios Express to the feature wins of Beauty Eternal and Tuchel to take the training honours, he was not the only handler who bagged a treble.
Pierre Ng Pang-chi also got in on the act, continuing his impressive rookie season thanks to the victories of Billionaire Secret, second-starter Greenwich and Taj Dragon.
Second leg of five-timer clinches Purton’s sixth Hong Kong jockeys’ championship
By taking his win tally to 38 for the season, Ng moved past Douglas Whyte and into the top 10 in the premiership.