Tycoon Resources (122lb) has burst onto the scene as a horse packed with ability, and on Wednesday night (10 June) at Happy Valley, the up-and-comer is aiming to extend his unbeaten sequence.
The three-year-old son of Written Tycoon joined a select band of 22 horses since the 1999/00 season to secure debut victory in Class 4 over 1000m at Happy Valley. Following that effort was a brave win from an awkward position last month, rallying under Angus Chung for two-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer (1999/00 & 2004/05) Tony Cruz.
Chung said: “He found trouble on the turn and it was tight from the outside horse. He probably lost momentum there, but he picked up well and finished off very strong. I didn’t expect he would be that impressive.”
Cruz’s most recent debut winner in Class 4 over 1000m at Happy Valley before Tycoon Resources came in 2004 with Captain Happy. Mr Stunning achieved the rare feat, too, and went on to become a three-time Group 1 winner.
Tycoon Resources steps into Class 3 and tackles 1200m for the first time in the first section of the West Kowloon Handicap.
“He’s very professional and he knows what he’s doing. He can be a bit nervous in the barrier, especially last time, he hit his chin, so he had to come out for a check. I thought it affected him a little bit because he didn’t show that much early speed,” Chung said.
“I think the step up to 1200 (metres) will help him. He has a lot of potential and he has a lot of ability. I think he will be okay in Class 3, especially carrying the light weight and he has drawn a good barrier (four). Hopefully, we can let him jump well, travel well and finish off like last time.”
Ethan Brown hops aboard the consistent Superb King (134lb), aiming to steer Francis Lui’s gelding to a breakthrough triumph, following four successive top-three finishes, in tomorrow night’s second section of the Class 4 Stanley Handicap (1200m).
“He’s drawn a good gate (two); he’ll get a good run up on the speed and he’ll give himself every chance. I’m really looking forward to riding him,” Brown said. “Wherever he lands, if he gets a comfortable run, he’ll be right in the finish.”
On a short-term contract until the end of this season, Australian Brown posted his first Sha Tin win last weekend as he aims to secure a foothold in Hong Kong.
“I’m feeling very comfortable and confident riding. It’s just trying to find those better chances and I seem to have a few of those tomorrow,” Brown said.
Joao Moreira’s 12 wins from the past six fixtures are unmatched, and the four-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey (2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 & 2020/21) has seven rides, including Target Audience (123lb) in the second section of the West Kowloon Handicap.
Moreira said: “He’s put in three good races just recently at Sha Tin. He’s the kind of horse who has the gate speed to do well at Happy Valley.
“That was a great surprise for me to win on him first-up. He was coming back from a long spell, however, if he’s done what he’s done that means he has ability. I know he’s up in class, however, he has what it takes to go well at Happy Valley.”
An in-form Moreira also partners Noble Pursuit, Silver Spurs, Jumbo Blessing, Decision Link, Elegant Life and Audacious Pursuit – all for championship-leading trainer Caspar Fownes, who tops the table with 61 wins, four ahead of his nearest rivals.
Wednesday’s (10 June) nine-race fixture – the 79th of the season’s scheduled 88 – at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Chek Lap Kok Handicap (1800m).