CHAIRMAN’S SPRINT PRIZE – POST-RACE JOCKEY QUOTES

By Hong Kong Jockey Club | Sunday, April 26, 2026

KA YING RISING – Zac Purton

“It was pretty painless. The speed was nice, he was in a good rhythm, it was just a matter of him turning up and doing what he’s been doing all season, and he did that. It was nice to break the track record again – albeit just slightly – but, once again, he’s going to cost me a bit of money, having to get new jackets made.

“When I let him go, he quickened. He took a couple of strides to balance up a little bit, but once he quickened, he quickened extremely well and a long way out I felt very comfortable, very confident.

“The Japanese have sent their best sprinter over today and he’s handled him with a lot of authority. I think people can probably start giving him a little bit more credit than perhaps they have. He’s had a really good 18 months and, like we keep saying, he’s still five. Let’s hope we’ve got him for another season or two.

“It’s different. He’s obviously a very special horse. You have good horses and you have great horses and then you have the really special ones and he’s in that category and I’m very fortunate to be on him. I’m enjoying every moment I have with him and it’s great to see everyone getting behind him as well.”

SATONO REVE – Joao Moreira

“He tries bloody hard. He’s a warrior. Unfortunately, he bumped into the best horse, best sprinter in the world. So I’m extremely happy with his performance.”

RAGING BLIZZARD – Brenton Avdulla

“He’s awesome – one of my faves. I haven’t won on him, and he’s probably earned about HK$10.5 million for the season. He keeps turning up and trying hard, he’s just not in the other horses’ league.”

FAST NETWORK – James McDonald

“He went well. I think he just raced a little bit flat. It’s been a long season for him, and he could have done a little bit better.”

COMANCHE BRAVE – Oisin Murphy

“He began well. He got a little bit tight on the turn. He’s run a career best behind an incredible winner. But the horse is improving.”

HELIOS EXPRESS – Hugh Bowman

“He let down like he always does, but the circumstances of the race – I was asking him to run home for 600 metres, which he’s proven he simply can’t do. So I’m proud of him.”

TOMODACHI KOKOROE – Harry Bentley

“He absolutely flew the start, and he was up there probably handier than I thought. But he stuck on okay.”

BEAUTY WAVES – Alexis Badel

“The horse went well. He stumbled after the jump, and it cost him a bit of energy to take the lead, but he ran well.”

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