John Size hunts 1,600th win with nine runners at Happy Valley

Bidding to record a 1,600th training win in Hong Kong, Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee John Size saddles an imposing team of nine runners spread evenly across tomorrow night’s (Wednesday, 21 May) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley.

A master of his craft, Size, 70, is a 12-time champion trainer in Hong Kong, who landed a first title in his debut season (2001/02) in the city. He won it again in 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 & 2022/23 and trails only former trainer John Moore (1,735 wins) for career victories in Hong Kong with 1,599.

Size initially started out in Queensland working with Pat Duff and Henry Davis. He then trained there before transferring to the ultra-competitive Sydney circuit, achieving instant success by developing a reputation for rekindling the spark in his horses.

Size has trained two Hong Kong Horse of the Year recipients: Electronic Unicorn (2001/02) and Grand Delight (2002/03). The record-breaker leads the 2024/25 trainers’ championship with 56 wins, six more than his nearest rival David Hayes, with 16 fixtures remaining.

Preparing nine horses for Happy Valley’s midweek programme, Size’s representation includes A Americ Te Specso, who seeks a hat-trick of wins in the Class 3 On Lan Handicap (1650m) with in-form jockey Andrea Atzeni.

Atzeni said: “He won over 1650 (metres) with near enough to bottom weight and then he backed up last time – up six pounds. But it was a very similar scenario to the time before when he won – the race set up quite similar and he won again. He’s a very straightforward horse, although the 1650 metres is really a maximum trip.”

“He kept running well over 1200 and I’d say if there were 1400 metre races at the Valley, he would have won a bit more by now. He’s sort of in no man’s land, really, 1200 is sometimes a bit sharp for him and then 1650 can be a little far for him.”

A Americ Te Specso has won six times at Happy Valley. The Per Incanto gelding will step away from barrier nine tomorrow night.

“He’s still in Class 3 and obviously he’s carrying more weight but I’m confident he can get a similar scenario tomorrow night,” Atzeni said.

Atzeni will ride Bundle Award for Size in Sunday’s (25 May) HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) against the likes of Dubai Honour and Triple Crown-seeking Voyage Bubble.

“He’s (Bundle Award) quite lightly raced here and he won nicely last start in a Group 3 over the same trip (2400m). Hopefully he can get a nice trip around and it’s a very open race,” Atzeni said.

Size also saddles Ensued in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup.

Trainer Me Tsui fields a strong team of seven runners at Happy Valley tomorrow night, led by Dragon Star in the second section of the Class 4 Glenealy Handicap (1650m) with jockey Karis Teetan. Consistent, Dragon Star has finished second in his past three appearances.

“He ran great last time. He was just beaten on the line and I thought it was a great effort from the horse. I’m looking forward to riding him again – he’s a warrior,” Teetan said. “I think if he goes to the races with the same form and gets a softer run then it might just work out his way.”

Tsui also saddles Thesis, Deal Completed, Sergeant Pepper, Candlelight Dinner, Another Zonda and Everstar at the city circuit.

Wednesday night’s (21 May) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.40pm with the second section of the Class 4 Cochrane Handicap (1200m).