Editor’s Note
This article reports on Patch Of Stars’s victory in the Lukfook Jewellery Cup at Sha Tin, highlighting its implications for the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and jockey Zac Purton’s successful day.
Patch Of Stars lived up to expectations in the feature Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap (1200m) and boosted his Four-Year-Old Classic Series prospects with a smart win for Manfred Man and Zac Purton on an eventful day at Sha Tin on Saturday (15 November).
Purton, who bagged a treble to extend his championship lead to 22 wins, spoke cautiously about Patch Of Stars (124lb) drawing a tricky barrier nine in the build-up to the race. But in the event, he was able to manoeuvre the All Too Hard gelding into the box seat before letting down strongly to put away a handy field.
The win sealed a raceday double for Man, after Hollie Doyle had earlier ridden Double Win (119lb) to victory in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Love Is Beauty Collection Handicap (2000m), increasing the veteran conditioner’s seasonal total to 13.
LONGINES Hong Kong International Races nominees Invincible Shield (132lb) and Aeris Nova (122lb) did their claims no harm with strong finishes to grab second and third place, respectively.
Purton also scored on Pierre Ng’s Supreme Agility (130lb), who broke through at the 24th attempt in Hong Kong in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Heirloom Fortune Collection Handicap (1650m, dirt).
Australian Racing Hall of Famer Purton completed his hat-trick with victory in the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Night Banquet In Tang Palace Collection Handicap (1600m) aboard the progressive Beauty Bolt (129lb) for Tony Cruz.
Ng’s season hasn’t gone according to plan so far, but the day marked a revival for him as he took home a double to take his tally to six wins.
On The Lash (127lb) held off fast-finishing rivals in the Class 5 Lukfook Jewellery Wedding Collection Handicap (1800m) to deliver Ng’s first victory in four meetings.
The win provided Luke Ferraris with another valuable win in his bid for LONGINES IJC qualification, as he held on by a nose from Richard Kingscote surging late on Cool Blue (121lb).
Kingscote did not have to wait long to open his account for the season. He landed the biggest upset of the day when he got up on David Eustace’s 20/1 shot Loch Tay (125lb) to end his search for a winner at the 105th time of asking in the Class 3 Lukfook Joaillerie Handicap (1650m, dirt).
Salon S (124lb) scored on debut in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Hexicon Handicap (1200m), extending Matthew Poon’s hot run to seven wins from the past seven meetings. Frankie Lor’s Zousain gelding did his racing early to take a healthy lead and was eased down with Mark Newnham’s Super Dragon (122lb) running on for second under James McDonald.
Trainers’ championship-leading Newnham got back to winning ways when Crimson Flash (132lb) took out the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Diabling Shimmering Gold Collection Handicap (1000m).
Following an uncharacteristic four-meeting dry spell, the Australian handler had seen his lead at the top of the standings trimmed before the son of Showtime restored it to five wins over David Hayes.
