Former dual South African Apprentice Champion Luke Ferraris rode the winner of the fifth race over 1200m at Hong Kong’s Sha Tin racecourse on Sunday.

He was aboard the Tony Cruz-trained R8.50 chance Campione (Brazen Beau), a British-bred three-year-old gelding who was having only his second Hong Kong start having won all three of his starts in Italy as a two-year-old including a Group 3 over 1200m.

From a good draw of four the 78-rated gelding broke well in the Class 3 Handicap and easily got in to the rail in front.

He strode out well under a long rein hold, setting good fractions.

He kept going in the straight and responded well to Ferraris’s urgings at the 300m when the favourite Beauty Mission  started making inroads.

However, the latter still had to make up two lengths and Ferraris kept Campione going with hands and heels and a couple of backhanders to win by a short-head in a good time.    

 

Ferraris finished second in the next race so with just four rides in the meeting it was a good day at the office.

Reigning South African Champion Jockey Lyle Hewitson had six rides and rode a second, a third and a fifth.

Ferraris has to date had 256 rides in his first season on the island for 9 wins, 15 seconds, 17 thirds and 16 fourths for earnings of $ 14,238,450.

Tony Cruz was the trainer who turned around Felix Coetzee’s career in Hong Kong so hopefully Sunday’s win will provide a springboard for Ferraris.

Hewitson has had 141 rides this season for 3 wins, 11 seconds, 14 thirds, and 14 fourths, for earnings of  HK$7,663,830.

Picture: Hong Kong Jockey Club