Hong Kong: A new chapter in the history books of Hong Kong racing will commence this Wednesday evening [Oct 5] at Happy Valley when four-time New Zealand champion trainer Jamie Richards saddles his first runners in the region.
“I’m looking forward to it – hopefully the horses can come out and run well, no doubt they’ll improve with the run a bit but they should run well,” said Richards, the dominant force in New Zealand in recent years with more than 50 G1 wins to his name.
Flying On The Turf will be Richards’ first runner in Hong Kong when he contests the second section of the Class 5 Island Handicap (1200m). Fortune Master and Rattan Kingdom also step out later on the card for the New Zealander.
Unveiled in December, 2021, Richards arrived in Hong Kong late last season to set up his stable after numerous years at the helm of Te Akau Racing in New Zealand, where he trained with remarkable success at home and across the Tasman Sea in Australia.
The 33-year-old is synonymous with exceptional talents such as Melody Belle, Probabeel, Te Akau Shark, Xtravagant, Gingernuts and Avantage. He was crowned New Zealand champion trainer four times – in partnership with Steven Autridge, in 2015-16, then the last three seasons on his own, setting single-season wins and prize-money records in the process.
Richards is aware of the challenges he faces in an entirely new environment renowned for its unforgiving nature. “It’s very different from a training perspective the heat and humidity play roles and from a handicap and acceptances point of view it’s very different too with trump cards, preferences and the like,” he said.
“It’s taken a little bit of getting used to but we’ve got Jonesy as our assistant trainer and he has a good handle on all of that. There will be plenty to learn over the next 12 months and couple of years but in time hopefully we can sort it all out.”
Currently with 51 horses registered in his stable, Richards’ highest-rated horse is Buddies who sits on a mark of 88 after transferring as a G3 winner from Tony Cruz. Palamos – whom Richards previously trained in New Zealand – is one of several four-year-olds in his care along with Starfire Gems, a 63-rated son of Japanese sire Maurice.
“It’s been plenty of different lunches and dinners with all of the owners and working that side of things out but I’m really pleased with the support that the owners have given us and now it’s time to do the job for them,” Richards said.
Rattan Kingdom gets blinkers applied for the first time as he looks to give Richards a memorable start to his career in Hong Kong when he contests section two of the Class 4 Wong Chuk Hang Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley.
“He’s going well enough, he’s going to race with blinkers on for the first time to try and sharpen him up a little bit but he seems to be working well and eating well enough,” Richards said.
Ruan Maia takes the ride from barrier eight this week. The Brazilian has ridden Rattan Kingdom five times prior to Wednesday’s engagement.
• Visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website
Sir Mark Prescott: educated, erudite, refreshingly eccentric – and eyeing Arc success with Alpinista
On top of the world: William Buick takes over as #1 jockey on Global Rankings
Bob's Business #2: A lot more than fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
View the latest TRC Global Rankings for horses / jockeys / trainers / sires