Keith Yeung buoyed by Woodfire Bro at Happy Valley

Keith Yeung heads to Happy Valley on Wednesday night (6 November) aiming to kick on with the form that saw him post a double on Sunday afternoon (3 November) at Sha Tin.

Invigorated with five wins this season from 74 rides, Yeung has four mounts at the midweek fixture, led by the Michael Chang-trained Woodfire Bro (129lb), who contests a cracking HK$3.12 million Class 2 High Island Handicap (1650m).

“I’ve been having a little bit of luck and the horses are going well. Let’s hope I can keep it going,” Yeung said. “He’s (Woodfire Bro) a very honest horse and he enjoys the Happy Valley track a lot. We have had good success with him at the Valley.”

The 89-rating Woodfire Bro is seeking a hat-trick of wins over tomorrow night’s course and distance in Class 2. The Echoes Of Heaven gelding has drawn gate seven.

“He was a little bit fat when he just came back to work but Michael has done a terrific job with him. He knows the horse really well and he knows when is the right time to start building up the horse,” Yeung said.

Yeung collected 18 wins last season and he is firmly on track to eclipse to that score with 17 of the 88 scheduled race meetings already in the bag this campaign.

“His (Woodfire Bro’s) first-up run was a hard run, so Michael decided to give him a little break to look after him a little bit. I’ve done his work before and after his trial (on 24 October) and he looks like he’s progressing. I’ve been really happy with his preparation and I think he’s going to run well again,” Yeung said.

Mr Ascendency (132lb), Telecom Fighters (130lb), Capital Delight (127lb), Yellowfin (127lb), Chill Chibi (125lb), Flamingo Trillion (124lb), Keefy (124lb), Red Hare King (123lb), Turin Mascot (123lb), Natural Storm (122lb) and Star Contact (120lb) feature in the city circuit’s nightcap.

Yeung’s weekend brace came via Kingly Demeanor and Master Of All. His other mounts on Wednesday are Lord Of The Rose, Wood On Fire and Red Majesty.

Trained by David Hayes, Red Majesty was caught by a nose last start. The 62-rater has won nine times at Happy Valley. He tackles the Class 3 Shek Lei Pui Handicap (1800m) from barrier seven.

“He’s got the speed and it’s just the way he travels – it suits Happy Valley a lot,” Yeung said.

Derek Leung also netted a double on Sunday. The 36-year-old is aboard Flamingo Trillion tomorrow night, who reopposes Woodfire Bro after placing second to him on 18 September.

“He’s (Flamingo Trillion) very honest and he’s keeping his form very well. I trialled him at Conghua and his form is good, I also galloped him on Monday (4 November) and he was very smooth,” Leung said.

Trained by Frankie Lor, the chestnut is in fine form ahead of this week’s test having won three of his last five starts, each time under Leung, who has five wins overall this season.

“He always tries hard and he’s always positive. He’ll do the same again, he doesn’t mind settling in the first five, it’ll depend on the pace,” Leung said. “It was pretty impressive his last run, especially up in Class 2. It was a good finish.”

Leung also partners Urban Triumph, Patch Of Watch, Excellent Daddy and Foolish Heart tomorrow night. His Sunday wins at Sha Tin came atop Sugar Ball and Glory Elite.

Wednesday’s (6 November) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the first section of the Class 5 Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1200m).