In preparation for Wednesday's eight-race card at Happy Valley, jockey Lyle Hewitson, who's coming off his first 50-win season in Hong Kong, is gearing up to partner with One For All.
This race also marks the beginning of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, a competition for horses in Class 3 and above, with points awarded for top-four finishes.
Hewitson is optimistic about One For All's chances, stating, “Hopefully we can get a bit of beginner's luck and get Mark (Newnham) off to a great start.
“He's a lovely horse and he has stepped up in grade now, but with the weight relief that should be in his favor.”
One For All, trained by Mark Newnham, is Newnham's first entry in Hong Kong.
Despite nailing a hat-trick of wins last term, he faces formidable competition, including Reward Smile, Superb Capitalist, Allgreektome, Packing Bole, and others.
Hewitson acknowledges the challenge, saying, “That's the unfortunate thing (possible fast pace), to start off in this sort of field makes it a bit more difficult.
“He's a horse that's shown good gate speed and a lot of speed, so the plan will still be to pop out and press on for the first half furlong.”
Hewitson is set to ride seven mounts, including Goodmanship, Durham Star, Snowalot, High Percentage, Eighteen Palms, and G One Excellent.
He expresses confidence in some of his other rides, stating, “Eighteen Palms is also in good form, and he will have come on with the season under his belt.
“That actually looks like a very competitive race with three or four others that are in good form at the moment.”
Pachisi, a lightly-raced horse trained by Jamie Richards, returns to the track with jockey Zac Purton aboard.
Despite challenges like his size and eating habits, Pachisi has shown promise in trials. Richards acknowledges the tough task ahead, saying, “We're going to need a bit of luck, and I'm expecting him to find the line well but when you struggle to draw a gate, it makes it very tough for him.”
Pachisi, though yet to secure a win, faces a competitive field in this race.
Jamie Richards, who had a stellar first campaign last season with 35 Hong Kong wins, mentions the challenges they've faced this season, including adverse weather conditions.
He says, “Unfortunately, we've just had a few little hold-ups, things haven't gone our way, the typhoon and the rainstorm has made it difficult for everybody.”