Tony Cruz, a celebrated figure in the world of horse racing with a history of success both as a jockey and trainer, has his eyes set on the Hong Kong Derby, a prestigious race he has won four times as a jockey and twice as a trainer. His latest prospect, Fallon, has emerged as a promising contender for the Derby after an unexpected victory in the Class Four Tin Wan Handicap at Sha Tin, where he outperformed at odds of $69.40.
Fallon’s journey began in Ireland, where he won a maiden race in Punchestown as a two-year-old. After arriving in Hong Kong, his initial performances were unremarkable, but he showed significant improvement upon stepping up to a 1,600m distance, a length he had not tackled since his juvenile victory. Under jockey Keith Yeung Ming-lun, Fallon demonstrated a striking ability to accelerate, recording a final 400m sectional that was notably faster than his competitors.
Cruz, who has closely monitored Fallon’s development, explained, “He was a very immature horse coming here. I gave him plenty of time so he could mature.” The strategy paid off, as Fallon’s recent performance has positioned him as a strong contender for the HK$26 million Derby on March 24. Cruz plans to prepare Fallon for the Derby with a series of races, gradually increasing in distance, starting with a 1,600m race on January 13.
Another horse to watch in the lead-up to the Derby is Super Goldi, trained by Frankie Lor Fu-chuen. Super Goldi, a Tavistock offspring, showed promise in the Class Four Shui Pin Wai Handicap, securing a win in his first competitive race. While Super Goldi’s trainer doesn’t see him as a Derby contender just yet, his potential for longer distances is evident.
Additionally, Mark Newnham’s Diamond Flare continued his strong form, winning the Class Four Tin Sau Handicap on the dirt track. Newnham, who has known Diamond Flare since his yearling days, attributes the horse’s success to his preference for leading the race.
The Sha Tin race day also saw Luke Ferraris earn a one-meeting ban for careless riding, and Pierre Ng Pang-chi’s impressive winning streak came to an end. Ng’s team, however, remains a formidable force in the championship.
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