Graham Cunningham: philosophical Soumillon back after missing out on big wins

Better late than never will surely be Christophe Soumillon's mantra as he makes a delayed return to racing in Hong Kong this weekend.

The Belgian ace has had a turbulent six weeks – missing two Breeders' Cup winners and a Hong Kong International Races success due to various Covid-19 issues – but he has a full book at Sha Tin this Sunday on a card that will be live on Sky Sports Racing from 5am through to 9.45am.

There seems little point in dwelling on how much Soumillon lost by being unable to ride Tarnawa, Order Of Australia and Normcore to recent Group 1 successes.

Most estimates place the ballpark figure at well over £300,000 but Soumillon is undaunted. "Some people are very sick and couldn’t get back well after getting the disease, so it doesn’t matter," he said. "I work enough to know that if I keep going like this, I will find other big winners in the future. I lost something, but I learned different things so it’s going to make me stronger."

Belgian ace looking to go Ballistic

Soumillon links up with one of the most reliable handicappers around when he partners Ballistic King in Sunday’s Class 2 Bellflower Handicap (9.45).

The six-year-old is from a bang-in-form yard – trainer Jimmy Ting enjoyed his first treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday – and has been unlucky to run into highly progressive youngsters on his last two runs. "We don’t have the best draw [stall nine]," said Soumillon. "He looks a bit of a one-paced horse but he looks in form. I think he’s going to run good."

Purton powers back with Valley foursome

The fact Zac Purton lost the Normcore ride to Soumillon and then regained it when Covid concerns resurfaced suggests there could be an added edge to their duels over Christmas and beyond.

But after playing second fiddle to Joao Moreira for the first third of the season, the Australian rider fired back with a Happy Valley four-timer to make it nine wins from the last three meetings.

Purton believes poor draws have held him back on numerous occasions but also reckons he is feeling the benefit of having recovered from a hamstring issue. “Give me some good barriers and it makes all the difference," he said.

Purton can have few complaints about stall seven when the reliable Band Of Brothers takes on Ballistic King but at least one of his main rivals looks even better drawn.

Jerry Chau: earned praise from Jason WeaverCredit: Orlando Foo

Weaver gives Jerry Chau the seal of approval

Jason Weaver knows a good young rider when he sees one, so it was notable to hear him and his Sky Sports Racing partner John Blance singing the praises of Jerry Chau after the 20-year-old produced Delightful Laos with a stylish drive to master Joao Moreira and The Rock at the Valley on Wednesday.

Chau's claim remains one of the sharper edges available to HK punters and he will be a busy boy on Sunday with rides in every race including several for his boss Douglas Whyte. The freewheeling Private Rocket is bound to be popular from stall one in the Class 3 Calla Lily Handicap (8.35) after a strong course-and-distance second last time.

Former Beverley winner Uncle Steve lines up for the Class 3 Firecracker Vine Handicap (9.10) fresh from a similarly good effort, while smart Aussie import Thinkin' Big caught the eye running very well from stall 14 on his reappearance and now has gate one and the valuable Chau claim for his clash with Ballistic King and Band Of Brothers in the concluding Bellflower Handicap.

Sha Tin Sunday card

Bet through the Tote

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Sha Tin on Sunday is at 5am

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