Ricky Yiu hopes to shine again under the Happy Valley sun | HK Racing

Ricky Yiu Poon-fai is a fan of Happy Valley’s annual day meeting and the experienced handler hopes to emulate his success from a year ago with a seven-strong team at the city circuit on Sunday.

At the same meeting last year, Yiu won the last three races on the card with Precise Express, Golden Artie and Splendid Living.

The 67-year-old is also fresh off a double at the most recent Valley meeting on October 16, courtesy of Sure Joyful and Victorythirtythree.

The latter is chasing back-to-back victories in Sunday’s Class Four Kwangtung Cup (1,000m) after his shock $29 win at the last start.

But while his first career success in the fifth start came as a surprise to many, it did not surprise Yiu.

“I wasn’t really surprised by the win because he was doing well before he came to Hong Kong,” Yiu said.

“The run before he won was disappointing and that put me off a bit, but we changed the jockey and the tactics and he won like a completely different horse.”

While Luke guided Ferrari’s Victorythirtythree to victory at the last start, Matthew Chadwick has been booked to ride the son of All Too Hard in the Kwangtung Cup.

Victorythirtythree jumps from barrier two into an even field that also includes last-start winners Grand Nova and consistent performers Ma Comet, Happy Tango and Kokushi Musou.

“He has done very well and gained some weight,” Yiu said. “Looking at the horse, Happy Valley suits him better for the time being than the long straight at Sha Tin.”

Yiu and Ferraris will team up in the first section of the Class Four Huizhou Handicap (1,200m) with Smart Fighter, who is still in the hunt for a maiden win after six placings from 14 starts.

The five-year-old came close to first place when he finished second behind Sweet Briar and added another place to his record last start when he finished third to Swift Ascend.

‘To look at him, you wouldn’t believe he’s still a girl. He has knocked on the door and is ready to go,” Yiu said.

Although he has suffered from barriers seven and nine in his two starts this campaign, Smart Fighter should get a much more economical run from gate two on Sunday.

Yiu is also optimistic about Volcanic Spark’s return after an initial eleventh place behind Pray For Mir over 1,600 meters at Sha Tin.

The Wrote gelding, who returns to class four for the Shenzhen Handicap (1,800m), showed ability with two wins and as many placings in his debut season last season.

“He wasn’t lucky last time (from barrier 12) and I would probably rather have him at Sha Tin,” Yiu said.

“But it’s not easy to find a race for him, so I put him in Happy Valley. He will certainly be able to handle the distance.”

Brenton Avdulla rides Volcanic Spark, who also has an improved draw in gate four.

Joyful Friendship, Sweet Diamond, Mega Bonus and Victory Sky are Yiu’s other Valley runners.

Meanwhile, Yiu is pleased with the progress of stable stars Voyage Bubble and Straight Arron ahead of their Group Two assignments on November 17.

“Voyage Bubble is doing very well, he hasn’t put a step wrong,” Yiu said.

“The feedback I have had from Conghua has been positive. I’m also very happy with Straight Arron, and I’m surprised how he finished last time (for fourth place in the Sha Tin Trophy). Let’s hope for the best when they both start on November 17.”

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