Rising star Hong Lok Golf seeks a Happy Valley hole in one

by Declan Schuster

Hong Lok Golf (127lb) passed the grade test in style last start and on Wednesday night (11 June) Chris So’s classy galloper heads to Happy Valley for the first time to contest the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Cheung Sha Handicap (1650m) after exclusively racing at Sha Tin across his initial six starts.

Happy Valley has a shorter home straight, tighter corners and unique undulations. It is vastly different to its counterpart Sha Tin, located in Hong Kong’s New Territories, which is more forgiving with a longer home run of 430m – no matter the rail position. Happy Valley’s home straight ranges from 312m in length on the ‘A Course’ to 338m on the ‘B+3 Course’.

Harry Bentley, who partners Hong Lok Golf again, has ridden the 89-rater in all five of his wins, including his most recent success in Class 2 when he outmuscled subsequent Group 3 winner Pray For Mir by half a length on 4 May.

Bentley, who turns 33 today (Tuesday, 10 June), said: “I’m very happy to be back on board. It’s a different track, so it’ll be interesting to see how he suits the Valley. He’s a very well-balanced horse, so I don’t see it being a problem.

“One of his assets is that he really gallops and stretches out nicely, so a shorter straight is something to contend with but I don’t see any reason why he won’t perform.”

Hong Lok Golf is aided by barrier four in his Happy Valley debut when he faces Helene Feeling (135lb), Voyage Samurai (130lb), Telecom Fighters (129lb), Soleil Fighter (127lb), C P Brave (124lb), The Golden Scenery (124lb), Steps Ahead (123lb) and Embraces (118lb).

“The form is really stacking up and his (Hong Lok Golf) performances have gone from strength to strength. He is strengthening up as a horse and mentally he’s a lot more switched on. I’ve been really happy to see how he’s progressed throughout the season,” Bentley said.

Powerful bay Hong Lok Golf is So’s highest-rated horse. The trainer has 32 wins this campaign, while Bentley is the winner of 26 races, and the jockey expects the four-year-old to keep thriving as he reaches the middle distances. The rising Grunt gelding is a winner over 1200m (twice), 1400m (twice) and 1600m (once).

“He’s a horse that will go further in time. The extra 50 metres is no issue whatsoever. I was really happy with his trial. He gave me a fantastic feel last time,” Bentley said.

Derek Leung is bearing down on the 30-win mark. The jockey pairs with Voyage Samurai in the Cheung Sha Handicap – another horse who makes his first appearance at the Valley.

“He’s in Class 2 now but he’s very honest and consistent. He felt a bit tired last start over 1800 metres, so we gave him a small break. He’s returned fresher and I trialled him at Conghua recently, it seems like he’s good and he’s recovered well. I galloped him yesterday (Monday, 9 June) and he was good,” Leung said.

“I think he’s ready for tomorrow, it’s his first start at Happy Valley. There are a few horses to our inside who look like they’ll go forward as well.”

Voyage Samurai was third in a barrier trial at Conghua on 30 May behind Drombeg Banner, while Hong Lok Golf was second in a trial on 29 May at Sha Tin. Leung, with 28 wins this term, also rides Soaring Bronco in the second section of the Class 4 Tai Kok Tsui Handicap (1650m) tomorrow night.

“He’s (Soaring Bronco) been very honest in his last couple of starts. He’s keeping his form very good. Every time he just tries his best and I think this time will be the same,” Leung said.

Wednesday’s (11 June) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Tai Wo Ping Handicap (1650m.