Karis Teetan eyes breakthrough for Always My Folks at Happy Valley

Always My Folks (120lb) is knocking on the door for a maiden win and Karis Teetan hopes Michael Chang’s three-year-old is able to make further headway in the Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley tomorrow night (Wednesday, 25 June).

Placed in both of his last starts by under a length, Always My Folks – a chestnut gelding by Capitalist – breaks from barrier nine against 11 runners at the city circuit, with Teetan wary of the wide draw but encouraged by the horse’s continued development.

“I’ve worked him after his last run and I feel like he’s improved since then. The draw is going to make it a bit awkward again. But I know him a bit more now and I think it’s going to be competitive,” Teetan said.

Teetan, 35, has ridden 38 winners this season, including Group 1 success aboard Ka Ying Rising and, he has twice galloped Always My Folks in trackwork at Sha Tin since his most recent third placing on 28 May.

“He’s a nice little horse and I thought last time he did it the hard way. He still ran a very good race. He’s enjoying the track and I think his performances have been good there, I’m looking forward to ride him again,” Teetan said.

Always My Folks is owned by So Wing Keung and faces Mega Bonus (135lb), Never Too Soon (129lb), Lahore (128lb), Amazing Kid (127lb), Conrad The Great (127lb), Bits Superstar (126lb), Honest Witness (125lb), Savvy Twinkle (123lb), Exceed The Wish (119lb), Flying Akeed (119lb) and Good Prospect (119lb).

Harry Bentley seeks consecutive wins with Wrote A New Page, who contests the first section of the Class 4 Lancashire Handicap (1650m) for Danny Shum at the Valley.

“He battled it out and I thought won with a little bit in hand (last start). I think he enjoyed Happy Valley. I didn’t think there was too much concern whether he would handle the track going into that race. I was very happy with the way he handled the track,” Bentley said.

“I think he is lightly raced still and has some improvement.”

Storm Rider was an emphatic victor for David Hayes last start on 4 June by over three lengths and the four-year-old is back in action on Wednesday in the Class 3 Selkirk Handicap (1200m) – assigned barrier one and jockey Hugh Bowman.

“It was great to watch. He had a string of really close seconds and he loves the Valley. He got it all together and won, and got the 10 rating points. He’s got a pretty good record – he’s run in the first three in most of his races. I think next season we’ll be able to stretch him out a bit. I’d love to see him over a mile at Happy Valley,” Hayes said.

“He’s got tactical speed and he loves the Valley. His main dangers are up in weights, so he’s not giving a lot of weight away to the hardest ones to beat.”

Aestheticism has proven dependable all term with one win and four top-three finishes for Pierre Ng. Andrea Atzeni hops aboard the New Zealand-bred again in tomorrow night’s Class 3 Renfrew Handicap (1650m) from barrier seven.

“He’s been running very consistently. Andrea rode him for the first time last start and he finished third. Hopefully this time we can get a better result,” Ng said. “He’s been doing very well at Happy Valley and he just needs the right run, right pacing and he’ll finish off pretty good.”

Second in last season’s trainers’ championship, Ng has 39 wins this campaign and saddles six runners at Happy Valley tomorrow night.

“This season has been a little bit quiet for us. Obviously, last season was great and we’re just waiting for the horses to change over and strengthen for next season,” he said.

Wednesday’s (25 June) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Chester Handicap (1200m).