Size takes four-win lead on HK trainers' table
HONG KONG John Size, bidding for a record-extending 13th Hong Kong trainers' championship, forged to a four-win lead in the 2024/25 standings with a treble at Sha Tin on March 15, as the master horseman targets a fourth BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) triumph on March 23.
Size boosted his tally to 42 wins and cemented his place at the top of the trainers' standings over David Hayes (38). He struck with Crossborderpegasus, Lifeline Express and Juneau Pride - eight days away from saddling Bundle Award, Mickley and Beauty Alliance in the HK$26 million (S$4.46 million) Hong Kong Derby.
The Australian combined with Crossborderpegasus under Hugh Bowman in the Class 4 Azalea Handicap (1,200m). He also scored with Lifeline Express for Andrea Atzeni in the Class 3 Angelonia Handicap (1,200m) and Juneau Pride under Brenton Avdulla in the second section of the Class 3 Cosmos Handicap (1,400m).
In a familiar scenario, Size's stable has hit its straps after a sedate opening to the season. In five meetings in March alone, he has slotted 10 wins, including a treble and three doubles in a powerhouse surge.
Bowman boosted his tally to 48 wins - a haul bettered only by the sidelined Zac Purton (84) - with wins on Crossborderpegasus, Sunlight Power for Ricky Yiu in the Class 2 The Kowloon Tong Club Trophy Handicap (1,600m) and Monarch County for Caspar Fownes in the Class 4 Hydrangea Handicap (1,400m).
"It's been a good day. I had some nice rides. Take it when you can," Bowman said before praising Sunlight Power's effort.
"It was a pretty solid speed set up front that suited him and obviously, he's performed well on rain-affected ground before and he just got into a beautiful rhythm and his class shone."
Bowman was similarly effusive about Crossborderpegasus, a Rich Enuff three-year-old who is undefeated in two starts.
"He (Crossborderpegasus) is an exciting horse," he said. "He's got plenty of points in hand and he does have that tendency to lay in - which he needs to overcome as he goes up in the rating points.
"But we won't be too critical of him at his second run in a race."
Size also praised Crossborderpegasus.
"He's going well. He's certainly got a bit of ability and it's just a matter of developing that. If he can improve on that, it will be promising for his future," he said. HKJC
