Bristling with emotion, Luke Ferraris has jubilated in My Wish's Hong Kong Classic Mile triumph for Mark Newnham at Sha Tin Racecourse Jan. 31, prompting the rider to reflect on Sweet Orange’s success in the corresponding race in 2012.
Trained by Ferraris’ father David, Sweet Orange’s victory 13 seasons ago remains one of the rider’s most vivid memories from his childhood in Hong Kong.
Now 23, Ferraris joined his father—who saddled 461 winners in Hong Kong—on the Hong Kong Classic Mile honor board with a perfectly judged ride to fend off the Francis Lui-trained pair of Divano and Packing Hermod in a final time of 1:33.98.
Jumping away cleanly from barrier 8, Ferraris settled the gelding in fourth place, one off the fence and, approaching the home turn, angled into clear running before staving off a charging Divano, who rocketed from last on the turn in a race-best sectional of :21.98.
Reflecting on Sweet Orange’s victory under Weichong Marwing, Ferraris said: “I remember it like it was yesterday. Weichong was three-deep without cover the whole way, loomed up on the bend, and fought off Fay Fay at the furlong.
“There were a few flashbacks which entered my mind today when he (My Wish) had to get game at the furlong and he did. He is 990 pounds of pure heart and he hasn’t been the easiest customer, so big credit to Mark and his team. It really shows the caliber of trainer he is. He improved with each and every run and it’s good to get one on the board.
“Tonight, when I sit down it will kick in when I get the messages from my family. Watching this race as a child and now this—it’s surreal. I’m pretty grateful to Mark and his team.”
With his fourth win from eight starts, My Wish gave Ferraris and Newnham their most important success in Hong Kong and the first leg of the 4-Year-Old Classic Series, which continues with the Hong Kong Classic Cup March 2 and the Hong Kong Derby March 23.
Newnham was elated to have overcome My Wish’s appetite and temperament issues as the smallest horse in the field held sway.
“His appetite’s improved, so as he’s raced on through the season, he’s toughened up a little bit. We all know he’s only a small horse, but gee he’s got a big heart,” the trainer said. “The horse is very game, Luke’s done a great job with him and my team at home has done a super job because when he first arrived, he was a high-energy horse and wasn’t easy to handle.
“He has been troublesome at times, but today he paraded better than he ever has, he went to the start nice and settled and once he got into that position, it was just a matter of whether he was going to be good enough or not.
“The way he raced today and the position he put himself in and the way he settled, I think he’ll give himself every chance (over 1,800 meters). If he learns to settle and conserve his energy, he’s going to be hard to beat. It’s pretty special.”
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Iowa-bred Chancheng Glory Lands Centenary Vase
Chancheng Glory posted the biggest win of his career Friday when taking out the Centenary Vase Handicap (G3) at Sha Tin.
Placed at group 2 and group 3 level previously, the gelding was tenacious from barrier 9 in denying Winning Dragon and Ensued at odds of 6-1, clocking a time of 1:46.67 under Hugh Bowman for Lui.
"I was fortunate to get the opportunity to ride him. I get limited opportunities in these races with the weight conditions but it is what it is. I thought his run last start had a lot of merit against the highest quality of horses," Bowman said.
"Today when he jumped out well and traveled—I was always very confident. He was aided by a nice genuine speed set by Sword Point and his class showed over the final two furlongs."
Sword Point led the race until the 250-meter mark. Chancheng Glory raced in second throughout the contest before denying Winning Dragon by three-quarters of length.
Chancheng Glory was bred in Iowa by H. Allen Poindexter. Out of the winning Consolidator mare Solid Scam, the Mor Spirit gelding is a half sibling to three stakes performers. Chancheng Glory led home a first three for the Americas. Two-time group 1-winner Winning Dragon hails from Chile, while Ensued is a Kentucky-foaled son of the late Lemon Drop Kid.
Chancheng Glory is now an eight-time winner from 23 starts. The 5-year-old placed second behind Galaxy Patch last term in the Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (G3) by a nose.
"He's a group 2 and group 3 handicap horse, of course, if it is a group 1 then maybe on his day. He's (Bowman) a top jockey. I don't have any worry about him," Lui said.
Friday's success was Chancheng Glory's first this season. He headed into the event following consecutive sixth placings in December's Hong Kong Mile (G1) and January's Stewards' Cup (G1).
Lui will plot a path towards the Champions Mile (G1) April 27 at Sha Tin for Chancheng Glory, a race the trainer won three times with Golden Sixty.
Chancheng Glory will also take aim at the Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Feb. 23, the second leg of Hong Kong's Triple Crown. Lui said: "I think he'll go for the Gold Cup, 2,000 (meters) suits him better than 1,400 so he'll go for that."
