Size to assess Sky Jewellery’s LONGINES HKIR options in G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse

By Paul Ryding

John Size says he’ll have a better idea of where Sky Jewellery fits into December’s showpiece LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) after Sunday’s (8 November) HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin.

The versatile galloper holds entries in both the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 13 December, and Size said how he performs in the weekend’s feature race could determine which route he takes. “I might get told something on Sunday. That’s the idea.”

The lightly raced five-year-old has won six of 10 career outings, never finishing outside of the top four, with wins at 1200m, 1400m and 1600m. The LONGINES HKIR will represent his first crack at Group 1 level.

After a rousing start to his season, claiming a Class 2 1400-metre contest under James Orman, the son of The Autumn Sun disappointed his supporters last time out, finishing two lengths behind the winner as favourite in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m). Size, however, had no complaints about his effort.

“He ran well,” the 13-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer said. “He keeps going up in class, and he keeps having to improve to keep up with them. I thought the run was fair. And I thought he might improve on it. So, I’d be looking for him to keep running well, and probably finish in the places (on Sunday).”

For Sky Jewellery, who drew gate 12 and will shoulder 124lb under Andrea Atzeni, the assignment represents his first attempt at 1800m, but Size has seen enough in the horse’s make-up to know he’ll get the trip.

“We go to 1800 (metres), just put my toe in and see how he responds to that, and comments after the race,” Size added.

“He’s got a lovely temperament. He settles nicely, and obviously, he’s a willing racehorse. The horses with the good temperament, they’re not overracing, and they save their energy for the finishing post.”

The master trainer saddles two runners in the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse as he chases a third win in the storied contest. Six-year-old Ensued (119lb) will look to recapture the form of his four-year-old season when he registered three wins from seven outings before going on to claim his only Group victory and his most recent win, the 2024 edition of the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse. Sunday’s will be his 17th run since that win.

Size said he will be using Sunday’s race to gauge Ensued’s motivation after a disappointing effort first-up, finishing last of 13 in a Class 2 1600m race on 25 October.

“We’re still trying him,” Size said. “He hasn’t done anything flattering lately. But we’ve got to get back to the races and find out if he’s still interested. So, again, with him we’ll learn something on the weekend.”

Keith Yeung partners the Lemon Drop Kid gelding from gate three. The 13-runner clash also features Beauty Joy, who drew gate nine, Numbers (six), Massive Sovereign (11), Soleil Fighter (10), Speed Dragon (eight), Gentlemen Legacy (13), Le Zonda (two), Silvery Breeze (seven), Romantic Thor (four), Californiatotality (five) and Stunning Peach (one).

Sunday’s (8 November) Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day is headlined by the HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) at 4.05pm.