New year, new life: Umberto Rispoli to try California for new challenge

Hong Kong's jockey merry-go-round seldom stands still for long and this week has seen it rev up with news that Umberto Rispoli and Regan Bayliss are both leaving town.

The colourful Rispoli has enjoyed high-level success in his native Italy and France as well as Hong Kong, while Bayliss was one of the most up-and-coming riders in Australia when he signed up for the Hong Kong Jockey Club last year.

However, the fact that Hong Kong's top three riders tend to win almost half of all races run puts an inevitable squeeze on the other 20 active jockeys.

Bayliss will resume in Melbourne when his Hong Kong deal expires at the end of the year, while Rispoli has his final rides at Sha Tin this Sunday before trying his luck on the California circuit.

Regan Bayliss: the emerging Aussie talent will resume his career in Melbourne in the new year

"I'm 31 years old and need to see if I can get some better opportunities," he said. "I miss that feeling of winning G1s and I need to take it back – new year, new life."

Patch looks a smart option in Sha Tin finale

Rispoli has seven chances to sign off with a winner at Sha Tin on Sunday, including aboard Amazing Luck in the finale at 9.00.

Paul O'Sullivan's gelding has a recent win to his name, while Reliable Team is bound to be popular with Zac Purton aboard having won three from five at Happy Valley.

However, Smart Patch is the one who could have something in hand of his current handicap mark. This five-year-old has looked progressive on three of his last four starts, bolting up over this course and distance in October and then finishing a solid third last month.

Sunday's ten-race card at Sha Tin

Smart Patch did really well on the latter occasion, staying on willingly after Alex Lai asked him to make a big move out wide on the home turn.

Vincent Ho is unlikely to get busy so early and Smart Patch looks one of the most interesting horses on the card as a result.

Fahey import takes another step on Hong Kong Derby trail

The Hong Kong International Racing undercard has thrown up plenty of good horses over the years and last Sunday's Class 2 finale was notable in several respects.

Richard Fahey held a high opinion of More Than This when he won three from three as a juvenile in 2018 and the Dutch Art gelding continues his rapid ascent up the Hong Kong ratings by charging from a poor position to make it four in a row in thrilling style under Karis Teetan.

More Than This: wins at Goodwood in August 2018Credit: Mark Cranham

Francis Lui's gelding has improved from a mark of 72 to 97 during his winning spree and has put down a solid early marker for the 2020 Classic Series made up of the Classic Mile (January 27), Classic Cup (February 23) and the BMW Hong Kong Derby on March 22.

Former Michael Halford galloper Playa Del Puente didn't enhance his Classic claims by fading into eighth behind More Than This but Super Oasis is a name to note after a very encouraging Hong Kong debut.

Don't desert Oasis after striking Hong Kong debut

Frankie Lor, who landed this year's Derby with Furore, lost one of his main contenders for 2020 when Victoria Derby winner Extra Brut sustained fatal injuries in a freak accident on Tuesday morning.

However, Lor has several other possible Derby hopes and Super Oasis, who showed smart form in New Zealand and Australia, looks set to rate a good deal higher than his current 88 as the season progresses.

Watch More Than This travel powerfully on his last outing

Ridden by Zac Purton after impressing in several barrier trials, Super Oasis travelled powerfully up with a lead in a race that suited those held up and only gave best to More Than This and three other hardened rivals inside the final furlong.

The fact that he's already proven over middle distances is significant as regards his Derby claims but on this showing he's well capable of winning at around a mile before the major Derby trials come around.

Eagle can swoop under Moreira

One of the surprise success stories of the Hong Kong season so far is the sustained fine form of Ricky Yiu.

The veteran local trainer is no stranger to a star horse – witness Sacred Kingdom and Amber Sky – and a treble on Happy Valley's Wednesday card took him six clear at the top of of the trainer's table with 24 winners.

Joao Moreira: fancied to win on Lone EagleCredit: Getty Images

Lone Eagle hasn't chipped in just yet but the Zoffany gelding could put that right in the 8.25 on Sunday. Speedy recent winner Quadruple Double is bound to go forward from his inside draw but an easy lead looks unlikely with Lockheed and Team Fortune in opposition.

Lone Eagle went like a winner waiting to happen on his first two starts this season and can be forgiven his latest defeat after a torrid trip at the Valley.

Stall three should ensure much smoother sailing. Add in the fact that Joao Moreira is aboard for the first time and everything is in place for him to go very well indeed.

Yiu in the Money, Money, Money as Benny visits the Valley

Wednesday night was Swedish night at Happy Valley, with leading ABBA tribute band BABBA belting out a medley of golden hits in the Beer Garden and Benny Andersson on hand to present the trophy for the feature event won by the Yiu-trained After Me.

The man who helped pen some of the most famous songs in pop history has bred and owned plenty of winners over the years – headed by Berling and Oaks sixth Beatrice Aurore – and his presence led to a predictable response from local scribes and broadcasters.

"The Winner Takes It All" figured high on the list of puns thrown around but punters who were still in ABBA mode by the finale also had plenty to smile about when (Thank) Cue (For) The Music did the business.

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