Former New Zealand-based apprentice Nichola Yuen is making giant strides in Hong Kong, riding her first treble at Sha Tin on Sunday on a card dominated by New Zealand-bred or sourced horses.
Six of the 11 races were won by horses with New Zealand connections, including two of Yuen’s three winners, Causeway King and Aeroinvincible.
The 26-year-old, who rode 10 winners from 99 rides during her stint in New Zealand, continued her rapid progression with victories aboard Causeway King, Victor The Winner and Aeroinvincible.
The treble took Yuen to 20 Hong Kong victories from just 137 rides since returning from her overseas training, meaning her apprentice claim will now reduce from 10lb to 7lb.
Indentured to trainer Ricky Yiu, Yuen opened her account aboard the Yiu-trained Causeway King in the Class 4 Swallow Handicap (1200m).
The New Zealand-bred son of Spirit Of Boom was bred by Alan Jones and Edwina Morris of Berkley Stud and was sold at Karaka in 2024 for $50,000 to Brewers Bloodstock.
Initially known as Boombox, he won two races from the Cambridge stable of Tony Pike before being exported to Hong Kong and joining Yiu.
Yuen later combined with trainer Pierre Ng to guide Victor The Winner to victory in the Class 2 Magpie Handicap (1200m) before completing her treble aboard another New Zealand-sourced galloper, Aeroinvincible, in the Class 3 Kestrel Handicap (1400m).
Aeroinvincible is a son of Per Incanto and Miss Bondi and was bred by Dr John O'Brien. He was sold by Riversley Park at the 2022 NZB Ready to Run Sale for $320,000 to Liam Howley Racing before subsequently making his way to Hong Kong.
“I’m very excited. It’s unbelievable. It’s my first treble in Hong Kong and I’m straightaway to seven pounds for the next meeting, so it’s a bit too quick,” Yuen said.
“Thank you very much to Mr Yiu, he’s been a huge support for me.
“Now down to seven pounds, my career starts again and hopefully the ball keeps rolling for me.”
Yuen's breakthrough came during an outstanding meeting at Sha Tin for New Zealand-sourced horses.
Hong Kong Derby hero Invincible Ibis made a successful return to racing with victory in the Gr.3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m).
The NZB Ready to Run Sale graduate has now won six of his 12 starts and earned more than HK$27 million, with trainer Mark Newnham eyeing the Hong Kong International Races in December.
Bustling City produced one of the most dominant performances of the meeting when he powered to a seven-length victory in the Class 3 Hwamei Handicap (1200m) on the Sha Tin dirt.
The son of Starspangledbanner was offered by Hallmark Stud at Karaka in 2024, where he was purchased by Gary Ling for $160,000. He won a two-year-old trial in New Zealand for Mark Brooks before joining the David Hayes stable in Hong Kong.
“He’s a horse that’s always been blessed with good ability,” winning rider Brenton Avdulla said.
“Since David has elected to switch him back to the dirt, he’s just gone ‘bang, bang’ and he’s a fast horse, so he’s better when he’s out and flowing.”
Chiu Chow Golf added to the New Zealand-sourced haul with a strong finish under Harry Bentley to win the Class 4 Tailorbird Handicap (1400m) for Frankie Lor.
By Ocean Park out of Podravina, Chiu Chow Golf was sold by Pencarrow Stud for $70,000 to John Foote Bloodstock before being exported to Australia and subsequently continuing his career in Hong Kong.
Wave Garden also saluted, providing British jockey Richard Kingscote with his first Hong Kong victory when successful in the Class 5 Tropicbird Handicap (1200m) on the dirt.
The son of Per Incanto and Miss Bluebell was bred by Little Avondale Trust and Totara Park Stud and was formerly known as Dan Vegas during his time in New Zealand. – NZ Racing Desk
