HONG KONG Angus Chung successfully forged new territory on April 13, posting his first Sha Tin treble crowned by Divano's dominant victory in the HK$3.72 million (S$631,000) Class 1 Healthy Community Handicap (1,400m).
After scoring on Tony Cruz's pair of Parents' Love ($50) and Gustosisimo ($46), Chung produced a clinical ride on Divano ($32) in the main race to down Patch Of Theta and Taj Dragon in 1min 20.69sec.
"I've got a treble at Happy Valley before but never Sha Tin - always a double," said Chung.
"I spoke to Divano's owner (Chen Chun Man) and the trainer many, many times about this horse (Divano). I've been looking to ride the horse for a while and I'm glad I got the opportunity.
"He could take a sit today. It was the same as the Class 2 (Gustosisimo) with two horses going quick and benefiting me. I could sit behind both times.
"It's great to get a chance on good horses. Today is a success."
By Brave Smash, Divano has improved his record to five wins from 14 starts. With the winner's purse of HK$2.08 million and a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million, the four-year-old boosted his earnings to HK$10.5 million.
Purchased for A$90,000 (S$74,600) at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Divano competed in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series before returning to form with a last-start third over 1,400m under Ryan Moore on March 23.
Patiently ridden by Chung, the gelding rewarded reigning Hong Kong champion trainer Francis Lui's faith.
"I think he keeps improving little by little. He's more relaxed and once he relaxes, he can have a good turn of foot," he said.
"In the (Hong Kong) Classic Mile (1,600m), I think he learnt from that race."
Last season's Tony Cruz Award winner and Hong Kong's leading home-grown jockey, Chung took his season tally to 15 and his Hong Kong career haul to 92 with the success of Parents' Love and Gustosisimo, who claimed a PP Top-Up Bonus of HK$1.5 million with success in the Class 2 Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy Handicap (1,200m).
Parents' Love continued a productive season with his third win of the campaign, striking in the Class 4 JC Echoes Of Love Fund Handicap (1,000m). Having his 10th start this preparation, the Deep Field gelding triumphed by a short head over Alsonso.
Lui sealed a double when Winning Wing ($25) landed the Class 3 Advancing Culture & Sports Handicap (1,800m) with Dylan Mo.
A one-time winner in South Australia for Grant Young when he raced as Samid, Winning Wing is the first of Group 1 Australian Cup (2,000m) victor Preferment's progeny to win in Hong Kong.
Chris So reached the 400-win milestone as a trainer with Hong Lok Golf's ($24) success in the Class 3 Sustainability Handicap (1,400m) under Harry Bentley and With A Smile's ($15) victory in the Class 4 Thriving Youth Handicap (1,400m) for Zac Purton.
"400 wins, it's good to celebrate," said So. "12 seasons, 400 wins - not bad."
Me Tsui also celebrated a brace, striking with Wind Speeder ($46) who posted his first win since July 2022 by leading all the way in the Class 5 Clap@JC Handicap (1,200m) under Keith Yeung and Another Zonda ($83), who gave James Orman his fourth win in Hong Kong in the Class 4 Positive Ageing Handicap (1,400m).
Andrea Atzeni notched his 40th winner of the season when the Ricky Yiu-trained Ahren ($26) swept to victory in the Class 4 JC Campsite Reimagination Project Handicap (1,200m).
A three-year-old by Hellbent, Ahren jumped smartly from gate 12 and moved into a striking position behind Lean Master before surging clear.
Jamie Richards won the opening Griffins race when The All Out ($6) fended off Quick Money under Purton to win the Racing For Charity Plate (1,000m) by a short head. By Brutal, the gelding provided Richards with his 13th victory of the campaign.
Frankie Lor's Dream Winner ($331) produced an upset victory in the Class 3 Nurturing Talent Handicap (1,000m) under Jerry Chau. That was his first win since January 2023 when he was unbeaten in three starts.
HKJC
