Harry Bentley enjoyed a landmark evening at Happy Valley on Wednesday by riding his 100th winner in Hong Kong atop Atomic Force in the Class 3 Nightjar Handicap for trainer Cody Mo.
Bentley, 32, commenced riding in Hong Kong in April, 2021. He rode five winners through his first stint before returning for the following two seasons to post 25 wins each time.
His 2023/24 campaign is his best so far with 39 triumphs including one Group 3.
Atomic Force charges home under centurion Harry Bentley (Pic – HKJC)
The British ace moved to six wins this season with a third success aboard trusted partner Atomic Force, who overcame interruption in the home straight to deny Youthful Spirits (134lb) by half a length in a time of 57.11s as a 5/1 chance.
“I’m really pleased with that. It’s been a slow start to the season and I’d hoped the 100 would have come up a lot faster than it has done, but nonetheless we got there and I’m looking forward to the next 100,” Bentley said.
Atomic Force – owned by Martin Siu – has now won three times in Hong Kong. He was victorious at Group 3 and Group 2 level pre-import in France.
“That was good. I was super happy with where I was settled in the race because he’s a horse that doesn’t want to be too close to the pace because he’s a good closer. Everything was going smoothly and just the horse in front tightened him up slightly, so credit to the horse – he quickened again and got there when it mattered,” Bentley said.
“He’s a horse who I have always rated. He had a very strong two-year-old career in the United Kingdom with Kevin Ryan and he came here with a bit of a reputation. He’s taken a while to come to the forefront but he’s a horse I’ve always rated and I’m pleased to have had a good partnership with him so far.”
The Class 4 Hong Kong Golf Club Centenary Cup Handicap (1800m) was seized by the Frankie Lor-trained Can’t Go Wong, who raced on the seven-day back-up after finishing ninth last Wednesday (4 December) at Happy Valley, under Vincent Ho tonight.
“He always runs close. Last race he was all the way at the back, so Frankie decided to back him up, and the 1800 metres suits him very well. I’m happy,” Ho said.
Karis Teetan’s patience was rewarded aboard Country Dancer in the Class 5 Lark Handicap. The Mauritian bided his time at the tail of the field before unleashing between runners to guide the John Size-trained gelding to a first win.
“That was pretty surprising the way he finished off. I spoke to Mr Size this morning and he said he has the horse settling, so just sit him back and make sure he gets a clear run. Once he got a clear run he really shot through,” Teetan said. “I’m very thankful to Mr Size for his support.”
Size nailed a second as Beauty Light skipped to an impressive first win under Zac Purton in the second section of the Class 4 Albatross Handicap (1200m). The Irish-bred three-year-old by Churchill finished 11th on debut before reversing his form this evening.
Zac Purton salutes (Pic – HKJC)
Purton quickly rolled to a race-to-race double with his 49th win this term as Sight Happy – also competing on a seven-day back-up – charged down the outside to collect the first section of the Class 4 Albatross Handicap (1200m) for trainer David Hayes.
The third section of the Class 4 Albatross Handicap (1200m) went to California Deeply. The win came under Brenton Avdulla for trainer Tony Cruz, who as a jockey, rode his first winner on this day 50 years ago at the iconic city circuit.
Fury And Gold surged from last-to-first with jockey Andrea Atzeni to win the Class 5 Sand Martin Handicap (2200m) for trainer Dennis Yip. Success commenced a double for Atzeni, who later claimed the Class 3 Sea Eagle Handicap (1650m) on the Pierre Ng-trained I Can.
Victory moves I Can 15 points to a score of 39 at the top of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge standings. Brave Star and Chill Chibi each have 30 points.
Good Luck Win (119lb) shocked at odds of 95/1 in the Class 4 Mesia Handicap (1650m) with jockey Angus Chung for trainer Jimmy Ting. The Australian-bred was headed in the straight before lifting gamely to deny Snowalot (125lb) late.
“It’s a little bit of a surprise but I thought he would run well. This race, he was a bit lucky there was a slow pace, which made it very easy to go in front. Even though today coming from behind is better, the pace in this was slow and it was suitable for him,” Ting said.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday 15 December.
