James Cummings makes debut at Happy Valley as DBS x Manulife Million Challenge gets underway

By Declan Schuster

James Cummings will make his highly anticipated debut in Hong Kong when he saddles Day Day Victory (125lb) in the Class 4 Kowloon Tong Handicap (1000m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (9 September).

Cummings, 38, is the latest addition to Hong Kong’s training ranks after an impressive career in Australia, where he won 52 Group 1 races, worked alongside his legendary grandfather Bart Cummings, and was most recently Godolphin’s head trainer in Australia.

Cummings said: “We’re pumped up about getting started. We’re prepared to be patient because we have a stable which is really new horse-heavy. So that’s going to mean that people should expect to see the strength of our stable towards the second quarter and onwards throughout the season.

“I’m really pleased with the way my horses are coming along in their training and my new horses are settling into Hong Kong well.”

Day Day Victory reappears as Cummings’ first runner after an off-season stable transfer, and Alexis Badel, who has four wins with the horse, hops back aboard tomorrow night.

“The course and distance have suited him in the past, and I can only be confident that the horse is going to run well. We haven’t drawn the best gate (11), but we’ll deal with it,” Badel said.

Nichola Yuen makes her own debut at Happy Valley after being granted permission to ride at the iconic inner-city course from the start of this season. Apprenticed to trainer Ricky Yiu, Yuen, 26, currently claims 10 pounds, which she hopes to take advantage of on Harmony N Blessed, who now carries 124lb in the Class 3 Wan Chai Handicap (1200m).

“It’s my first time. I’m a little bit nervous, but excited and looking forward to it as well because I really want to feel the atmosphere and crowd, because everyone who comes to Hong Kong says they liked the atmosphere at Happy Valley a lot,” Yuen said.

Trained by David Hayes, 10-year-old Harmony N Blessed returns after victory last start – his 11th on his 80th appearance.

“I think he’s a very good horse. He has a lot of experience, and I am very glad that I have the chance to sit on him. Hopefully, he can give me a good ride. It’s a tricky gate (11), but I do believe in him,” Yuen said.

Happy Valley’s first fixture marks the beginning of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, which runs until 17 February. The competition is for horses racing in Class 3 and above, with points awarded for first, second, third and fourth place finishes.

A first-up win for Harmony N Blessed nets 15 points in the HK$1.5 million competition.

Four-year-old Motor (133lb) has won three of his past five appearances, and jockey Karis Teetan is predicting further advancement when the bay returns in the Wan Chai Handicap.

“He impressed me last time with that win. He’s a horse that’s taken every little bit of pressure (trainer) Cody (Mo) has put on him and he’s taken it well,” Teetan said.

“He’s been so consistent, but I’m looking forward to seeing where he will end up from here because I believe that he was a young horse last season and when they get older, they should improve.”

Mark Newnham believes Robot Lucky Star (135lb) can return to Class 3 soon enough as the sprinter takes aim at the Class 4 Tsim Sha Tsui Handicap (1200m) under Zac Purton.

“He’s starting fit and well this season. He’s had a good preparation for it, and he’s a horse who has displayed above average ability. I think he’s probably better than a Class 4 horse,” Newnham said. “He’s trialled nicely down the straight, Zac’s happy with him and he’s drawn an inside gate (two).”