Stormy Grove causes upset in Hong Kong Classic Cup
Stormy Grove delivered a sensational run at long odds to score an upset and claim the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic series, the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Ridden by Harry Bentley, the son of Toronado made it two wins in a row and landed the Hong Kong Classic Cup with a performance reminiscent of his explosive 1600m showing at Sha Tin two weeks ago, when, after being drawn 14, he surged from last to first to claim his first Hong Kong win.
Having jumped from barrier 12 at odds of 21.00 for Sunday’s race, the chestnut broke well and settled at the rear of the field. After enjoying a problem-free passage, he was called upon for an effort as they turned for home with 500 metres to go. Bentley drew Stormy Grove wide and urged the Frankie Lor-trained gelding to challenge, and once again he swooped home in a race-fastest final 400m sectional of 23.04s, finishing a length clear of the fast-closing Invincible Ibis, who led home Patch Of Cosmo and Numbers.
ALSO READ: How to bet on horse racing
“This feels extremely special,” said Bentley, who has been in the saddle for each of Stormy Grove’s seven Hong Kong runs.
“I’ve liked this horse throughout, and I’ve struck up a good partnership with him. I was extremely impressed with the way he won last time. I had to come into this race with a certain level of expectation and hope. But to do it the way he did was pretty breathtaking.”
It was Stormy Grove’s first run over 1800m, and he’ll need to break new ground again when he goes for Hong Kong Derby (2000m) glory on March 22.
“This ranks very highly on my wins in Hong Kong, and it’s very special,” said the Englishman. “He’s stepped up again, and he can do it. Same again, now, to the Derby.”
Frankie Lor felt a suitable pace aided his charge, and said a similarly run race on Hong Kong Derby day might lead to further glory for the Australian-bred Stormy Grove.
“I thought if the pace was suitable for him, he could do the same thing as last time at 1600 (metres),” he said.
“Next is 2000 (metres), and I think if the pace is suitable for him, then he can do the same thing. I think if he can settle, like today – he settled real good, and also the jockey – he knows the horse, he can have a very strong finish.”
It was a standout day for Jerry Chau, who continued his fine form this year as he registered his 10th, 11th and 12th winners since the beginning of February, and surpassed 200 Hong Kong winners.
His treble began with victory aboard three-year-old Chill Partners (126lb) after a thrilling finish to the Class 4 Citi Private Bank Handicap (1400m), which provided Francis Lui with his 31st winner of the season.
“All I was thinking in that race was getting a smooth run,” Chau said. “Whether he was a little bit back or in the lead, as long as he has a comfortable race, I trusted he would finish well.”
Chau, 25, partnered with Lui to good effect again when Galactic Voyage (128lb) prevailed in the Class 3 Citi Wealth Advisory Services Handicap (1200m).
“He is a very good horse and in trackwork, he’s just very settled and relaxed,” said the 25-year-old. “He just does his own work and on race day, he wants to win.”
He sealed his treble with a surging win aboard the Cody Mo-trained Emblazon (119lb) in the card-closing Class 2 Citi Credit Card Handicap (1400m). It was the talented four-year-old’s fifth win from six outings this term and his fourth win in a row.
“He’s a very, very good horse,” said Chau, who is currently fourth in the jockeys’ championship standings.
“In the beginning, he didn’t show his heart yet, but when he was ready, he’s improved with every race. After every race, and when I ride him at trackwork, I feel him improving, and I’m grateful every time he shows me his best.”
Of reaching the 200-win landmark, Chau, a product of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, said a lot of support had come his way throughout his young career.
“After I graduated in 2021, everything was more of a challenge, and I had to fight for it … I’m really happy with 200 winners,” he said.
“I need to thank the trainers who have supported me and the owners as well. If not for their support, I can’t reach that milestone.”
Three-year-old Conrad Patch (129lb) built on two good runs and several promising barrier trials to register his first win for Mo, who completed a brace, in the first section of the Class 4 Citi Ultima Handicap (1200m), with Hugh Bowman, who also claimed a double, grabbing his 36th winner of the campaign.
Bowman’s second winner came courtesy of Tony Cruz’s Gentlemen Legacy (135lb) in the Class 3 Citi Investment Services Handicap (2000m).
Andrea Atzeni and Pierre Ng struck in the Class 4 Citi Wealth Handicap (1800m) with Storm Runner (120lb), who has now won twice in succession after blanking in his first 16 starts in Hong Kong.
Short-priced favourite Circuit Fiery (123lb) continued a strong run of form with a one-and-three-quarter-length victory in the Class 4 Citigold Private Client Handicap (1400m) for Chris So and champion jockey Zac Purton.
So made it a pair when Pakistan Legacy (132lb) made all ridden by James Orman in the second section of the Class 3 Citi Insurance Services Handicap (1200m).
Brett Crawford’s impressive debut season continued when Warriors Dream (124lb), ridden by Lyle Hewitson, broke through in the Class 4 Citigold Handicap (1200m), claiming a first win in 11 outings.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday (4 March).
