HELENE CHARISMA BREAKS TRACK RECORD

By Hong Kong Jockey Club (Declan Schuster) | Wednesday, March 27, 2019

John Moore heaped praise on the HKJC’s Conghua Racecourse as former serial loser Helene Charisma recorded his second win in three weeks by setting a new Happy Valley track record (2m 14.88s) over 2200m in the Mount Collinson Handicap tonight (Wednesday 27 March).

“He’s now won two out of Conghua and he’ll continue to win because he’s not sweating up as much, he’s just a more relaxed horse and from that point of view it’s allowed us to win two straight,” Moore said.

Helene Charisma and Zac Purton make it back-to-back wins at Happy Valley.

“Conghua has definitely played a big part in this; Vincent (Travelling Groom) who travels with them says he is the best traveller and he’ll head back to Conghua on Tuesday” he added.

Aided by a patient ride from Zac Purton, Helene Charisma (132lb) kicked clear of Tashidelek (120lb) to win by two lengths. “We’ll be looking for the same, either 2000m or go further,” Moore said.

Moore also saddled Happy Dragon and Classic Beauty to finish third and seventh and couldn’t recall the last time he was in the unusual situation. “I don’t even remember the last time I had three in a race at Happy Valley, it has to be 10 maybe 15 years, it just worked out this way as I had a few stayers on my hand,” Moore said.

A masterful ride from Zac Purton brought the best out of Helene Charisma and his performance didn’t go unnoticed. “It’s two things, being trained out of Conghua and Zac just gets on so well with the horse,” Moore said.

Purton allowed his mount to relax off the speed, before popping the question to Helene Charisma in the straight, but the horse was up to the task as he responded with ease.

“I drew a nice gate and from there just had a lovely run, I was a bit worried halfway with the slow sectionals, but when the horse (Happy Sebring) took off it injected enough speed for everyone to start making their runs, which was key to him,” Purton said.

Helene Charisma cruises to victory in the Mount Collinson Handicap.

Purton promptly brought up a double aboard Joyful Union in the Nam Long Shan Handicap (1200m) for Benno Yung and in doing so left himself on the cusp of another notable achievement.

The champion jockey’s 91st success of the season was the 946th of his Hong Kong career, meaning he needs just one more victory to move ahead of Tony Cruz into clear second behind Douglas Whyte on the all-time list of most successful riders.

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