FWD CHAMPIONS MILE – POST-RACE JOCKEY QUOTES

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

MY WISH – Hugh Bowman

“I’m very proud of the horse, and congratulations to the team behind him because he’s shown that he can compete and win at this level, and he was yet to do so. But now he’s won with authority, I think. I was very confident going into the race. The pace was really quite on, which suited him, and I got a smooth passage through, and when I asked for top effort, he gave it to me in a stride.

“(Mark Newnham’s) results speak for themselves. I’m not one of his most-used jockeys, but fortunately, he seems to find me when he’s got the better horses. And what a fantastic job he’s doing – not only with these elite animals, but all the horses in his stable. It’s a pleasure to work with him and for him, and long may it continue.

“It was pretty smooth actually. We were very confident going into the race, and when he drew (gate) 10, he proved to me and the team in the lead-up race that he enjoys being ridden a bit conservatively, and I felt as though a lot of those horses which were drawn around me near the outside really had no choice but to roll forward if they wanted to win the race.

"It created a pretty decent tempo, I feel. Throughout the gallop, we were well back but racing really rhythmic – the horse was in a beautiful rhythm and breathing consistently. That gave me confidence at some point the pace had to steady because it was some distance between myself and the horse in front of me. And as we approached the turn, he started to travel into the race particularly well, and I found myself getting to the outside without having to really make too many manoeuvres, and it was there for everyone to see what he’s capable of doing when I let him go. It was no surprise to us – he’s done it before, and I’m very proud to see him do it at this level.

“Its been a great season, and it’s not over yet.”

CAP FERRAT – Craig Williams

“He’s done a great job. His trainer, Francis Lui, and his team have done a great job. After having a big health setback at the end of the season, he’s come back, and you saw his performance today against that international level.”

DOCKLANDS – Mark Zahra

“He ran super. He settled back nice and comfy off – not a hectic speed, but he got the split at the right time, and credit to him for running third.

INVINCIBLE IBIS - James McDonald

Unavailable to comment.

VOYAGE BUBBLE – Jerry Chau

“The pace was fast and he got wide, but he still fought to the end. He fought quite good.”

SUNLIGHT POWER – Ethan Brown

“Ran well. He probably felt that fast track a bit today. Happy with his effort through the line.

GALAXY PATCH – Karis Teetan

“He was pretty switched off behind, and he tried to wing it through, and he just couldn’t keep up with them. Down the straight, they got away from him.

CHANCHENG GLORY – Harry Bentley

“He was taken off his feet early. The pace was quick and he’s probably just not quite up to this.”

COPARTNER PRANCE – James Orman

“He didn’t disgrace himself, he’s at a tough level now. But he controlled the lead and he give a nice enough kick, but it’s just at a tough level.”

LITTLE PARADISE - Zac Purton

Unavailable to comment.

LUCKY SWEYNESSE – Derek Leung

“Good position. Top of the stretch he got a clear one. When he started to run, he was a bit tired.”

STRAUSS – Joao Moreira

“He travelled a little bit strong, and I guess, by doing that, he burnt part of his energy in my hands. Unfortunately, he got into a little bit of a traffic jam into the home straight, which probably affected him a little bit.”

JANTAR MANTAR – Trainer Tomokazu Takano

“It was a tough and disappointing race for him.”

RED LION – Andrea Atzeni

“He jumped good. He travelled strongly, he just never let himself down.”

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