Violet Star goes for another Valley victory; Romantic Warrior heads to Conghua

by Declan Schuster

Karis Teetan believes breakthrough winner Violet Star (127lb) has what it takes to kick on with his development when he takes his place in a competitive Class 3 King’s Road Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (24 June).

Trained by Douglas Whyte, Violet Star exploded to a first win over the course and distance on 20 May. The chestnut trialled at Conghua 11 days ago following his stylish maiden success in Hong Kong – groundwork Teetan feels has brought the son of Sioux Nation forward.

“It was a very good win – the horse showed a great turn of foot. He’s held his form really nicely; I went up to Conghua to trial him and he gave me a good feel,” Teetan said. “I think the horse has definitely improved physically.”

Violet Star won from barrier four, although he steps from gate 12 tomorrow against last-start winners Romantic Gladiator (128lb) and Legend Winner (124lb), plus Fivefortwo (134lb), Mighty Commander (134lb), Definitive (132lb), Keefy (129lb), Samarkand (125lb), Another World (123lb), Stormi (122lb), Vecu (121lb) and Class (120lb).

Teetan said: “He’s going to get better, and I feel like the horse is in good shape. We’re just going to have to deal with the draw, but if he gets the right run, he’s going to be strong again.

“He came from off the speed last time. I was happy to give him a chance and the speed was on. I think from the draw we’re going to have to ride him from off the speed again.”

Teetan’s sparkling mid-race move paid dividends atop Rosewood Fleetfoot (133lb) last month, and the pair reunites in Wednesday’s Class 5 Ice House Street Handicap (2200m) searching for consecutive wins.

“It was the right move to make on him. I rode him previously and he gave me the feeling that he was a bit one-paced, so in the back of my mind I thought whatever happens, I would want to take off on him and it worked out good,” Teetan said. “He was in great shape last time. It’s a great credit to (trainer) Ricky (Yiu) and his team.”

Teetan is fifth in the jockeys’ championship with 42 wins, including four from the past four race meetings. The ‘Mauritian Magician’ is also only 25 shy of 800 career victories in Hong Kong.

An enthralling battle for the 2025/26 trainers’ championship heads to the Valley, where Caspar Fownes leads on 63 wins – four clear of Danny Shum, who has four entries across the nine-race card, including last-start second Exceed The Limit (135lb) in the Class 4 Morrison Hill Road Handicap (1650m) with jockey Lyle Hewitson.

Hewitson said: “It was a really good run and it’s something promising to build on. I think the tempo should be on; he will probably be in the back half of the field and we could see him running on strong. I think last time showed that he’s coming to hand.”

Shum’s recent Triple Crown winner, Romantic Warrior, shipped to Conghua for the first time in his incredible career. The eight-year-old, who debuted in 2021 after he was bought for HK$4.8 million by Peter Lau from the 2021 Hong Kong International Sale, had previously remained under the 65-year-old trainer’s close eye at Sha Tin.

“He went up yesterday (Monday, 22 June). He’s happy. It’s easy for him to acclimatise because he’s used to travelling, so it’s no problem. The horse will relax in Conghua – he will spell in the paddocks and use the water walking machines. We’re letting him enjoy a holiday – he deserves it. His regular mafoo is with him,” Shum said.

Young gun Luke Ferraris is hoping to build on a productive season – featuring 32 winners – when he takes seven mounts at Happy Valley, led by the HKJC Racing Club Limited-owned Young Emperor (131lb) in the Class 3 Leighton Road Handicap (1200m).

“He’s won at the Valley before and I think switching up and going back there now will suit him. He’s been going up against some strong horses at Sha Tin,” Ferraris said. “The more pace, the better – he gets back a bit and he’ll need some luck in running.”

Wednesday’s (24 June) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley begins at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Ice House Street Handicap (2200m).