Angus Chung Yik-lai hailed one of the biggest days of his young career a major success after booting home his first Sha Tin treble on Sunday.
Matching his only other three-timer in November 2023 at Happy Valley, the 28-year-old struck on Tony Cruz’s duo Parents’ Love and Gustosisimo before claiming his first Class One triumph aboard Francis Lui Kin-wai’s Divano in the Healthy Community Handicap (1,200m).
“I’ve got a treble in Happy Valley before but never Sha Tin – always a double,” Chung said.
“It’s great to get a chance on good horses. Today is a success.”
What a win, Divano! 🔥@angusylchung snaps up a three-timer at Sha Tin as champion trainer Francis Lui finishes one-two in the Class 1 feature with Patch Of Theta second... #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/vc03zFZ6to
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 13, 2025
Chung’s campaign has been stymied by a lack of opportunities and a nasty fall in February that left him with a fractured facial bone.
However, the reigning Tony Cruz Award winner bounced back with four winners in March before his big haul on Sunday.
Divano capitalised on a light weight of 112 pounds, with Lui utilising Chung’s three-pound claim, to continue his impressive form with a third victory this term.
Chung had the son of Brave Smash perfectly placed in third position and he kept on gamely once striking the lead approaching the 200m.
Angus Chung salutes after booting home Divano.
Sent off a $6.5 chance, Divano saluted by a length from stablemate and $2.1 favourite Patch Of Theta, who also had a cosy run just off the leaders but was no match for the winner. Taj Dragon was third.
“I spoke to Divano’s owner and trainer many, many times. I’ve been looking to ride the horse for a while and I’m glad I got the opportunity,” Chung said.
Divano added Sunday’s win to a campaign that has also featured a pair of 1,200m triumphs and a barnstorming second to My Wish in January’s Classic Mile.
“I think he keeps improving little by little,” Lui said of the four-year-old.
Trainer Francis Lui (second from left), jockey Angus Chung and connections of Divano are all smiles.
“He’s more relaxed and once he relaxes, he can have a good turn of foot. In the Classic Mile, I think he learnt from that race.”
Chung teamed up with his mentor Cruz to make all on Parents’ Love in the Class Four JC Echoes Of Love Fund Handicap (1,000m) before lifting Gustosisimo to victory in the Class Two Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy (1,200m).
Stalking a farcical speed duel between Glory Elite and Lady’s Choice, Gustosisimo kept on strongly to beat a brave Lady’s Choice by three-quarters of a length.
“The pace was quick today and really beneficial for him and probably the track is suiting horses in front today, so the situation just suited him,” Chung said.
Gustosisimo lands his first victory at Sha Tin under Angus Chung.
A three-time winner in Australia pre-import, Gustosisimo had only raced twice at Sha Tin before when trained by Jamie Richards last term before notching two wins at the Valley for Cruz.
“I didn’t have an option – there’s no more Happy Valley races,” Cruz said.
“He raced twice here at Sha Tin so he knows the track. Those two horses went so fast [in front]. My horse was in a great position in third and I thought he could catch them, so I’m very happy with the run. He’s definitely improving.”
Lui joined Cruz with a double on Sunday after Dylan Mo Hin-tung booted home Winning Wing in the Class Three Advancing Culture & Sports Handicap (1,800m).
