Massive Sovereign rediscovers winning form at Happy Valley

By Paul Ryding

Massive Sovereign took a significant step towards getting his faltering Hong Kong career back on track when he landed the night’s highlight, the Class 2 HKEX TECH 100 Cup Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday (14 October).

Charging home in the final 200 metres under Jerry Chau to claim a hard-earned half-length victory, the six-year-old rekindled memories of his famous Hong Kong Derby (2000m) win in March 2024.

The No Nay Never gelding has endured repeated injuries since his Derby triumph, spending a cumulative 16 months out of action since then.

But after switching to his third trainer – Frankie Lor – last season, he had shown some improvement, notably running on for fifth on his Happy Valley debut over 1650 metres on 16 September.

He was back to his imperious best when he claimed Wednesday’s feature race, just his 11th Hong Kong start. With the in-form Chau in the saddle, Massive Sovereign (127lb) jumped well from barrier one and found a comfortable position near the rear as Helene Feeling (124lb) strung them along at only a modest pace.

The contest burst to life as they headed to the bend, and despite being held up as they turned for home, Massive Sovereign was able to use a gap in the field to claim an important victory.

“I hoped he could run a good race and go close, but for him to win the race was a big surprise,” said a delighted Lor. “In the early stages, they went slow and then at the turn, they started going quick, and my horse dropped to last. He just had enough room inside, thankfully.”

Lor said the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) might be the next assignment for Massive Sovereign on 8 November before suggesting December’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races could be a feasible target.

“I think (he’ll go to the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse), because (his rating) will go up a few points into the 100s. We could go to the (LONGINES Hong Kong) Cup, but it depends if he’s healthy. If everything is good, I would send him to the race.

“I can feel really happy, because when I got the horse he was still lame, so to get him to win now, I’m very happy.”

Chau was equally pleased with Massive Sovereign’s performance, and added: “The horse trialled well before the race, and I spoke to Frankie and the owner, because I think the horse needed to settle early, and he can have a very strong turn of foot. I was just planning to jump and for him to race comfortably, and he did it well.

“He got into a little bit of trouble at the top of the straight, but the horse is very smart, and he just found room for me.”

Reigning champion jockey Zac Purton registered a treble at his last Hong Kong meeting before he flies out to Sydney, Australia to defend the G1 The Everest (1200m) crown with Ka Ying Rising.

He guided Cheerful Wongchoy (135lb) to a first career win in the Class 5 D’Aguilar Handicap (1650m), making all to deliver a fourth win of the season for trainer Douglas Whyte.

Purton made it two on the night when Shooting To Top (134lb) claimed the first section of the Class 4 Elgin Handicap (1650m) for Cody Mo, who moved on to nine wins for the season as Purton secured his 19th win from 11 meetings. He moved on to 20 wins for the season and sealed a hat-trick – his first of the 2026/27 season – when he guided David Hayes’ China Win (124lb) to a third career victory in the Class 3 Gage Handicap (1800m).

David Eustace made it seven wins from an impressive start to the season when Akermanis Gold (128lb) struck in the second section of the Class 4 Elgin Handicap (1650m), completing back-to-back wins at the city track under Chau, who sealed a double on the night.

Reigning champion trainer Caspar Fownes-trained Elegant Life (129lb) took out the first section of the Class 4 Finance Handicap (1200m), with apprentice Ellis Wong registering his fifth victory of the campaign, and Charming Babe (120lb) scored for the first time in almost a year when he finished strongly in the third section of the Class 4 Finance Handicap (1200m) under the in-form Nichola Yuen for trainer Ricky Yiu.

Yuen completed her first Happy Valley brace when she made it a double for her and Yiu in the second section of the Class 4 Finance Handicap (1200m) aboard Flashing Fighter (126lb), with the lightly raced five-year-old picking up his second win from four career runs.

Vincent Ho-ridden Ace Champion (126lb) boosted his chances of success in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge when he claimed the card-closing Class 3 Harbour View Handicap (1200m) for Pierre Ng.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Monday (19 October) featuring the HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m).