Jerry Chau out to continue Winning run after knockout Happy Valley victory

Jerry Chau Chun-lok enters Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting with his tail up after shocking punters with victory aboard $32 chance Gorytus in the final race at Happy Valley on Wednesday, and the 22-year-old looks well placed to continue his momentum after riding two winners in the past three meetings.

Chau has found the going tough at times since racing through his apprenticeship and only has 12 victories to his name so far this season, but one man he does have in his corner is Danny Shum Chap-shing.

After the recent wins of Chill Chibi and Gorytus, Chau hopes he can again deliver for the veteran trainer aboard Winning Method in Sunday’s Class Two contest, the Belcher Bay Handicap (1,400m).

A length and a quarter off victor Toronado Phantom in fourth last start, Winning Method meets that galloper five pounds better off in a race that also features Ka Ying Master, Oriental Smoke and Super Win Dragon.

“Last time was 1,200m, but I think 1,400m suits him better. Also, last time the pace was a bit slow and he was wasn’t suited by it,” Chau said.

“I think Sunday’s race has more pace than his last race, so it’s more suitable. He’s fit, and I think he’s got a good chance from barrier one. He’s OK from any draw, but he needs a smooth pace.”

Also among Chau’s full book of 10 rides is the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained Marado, who is looking to return to winning ways in the Class Three Des Voeux Handicap (1,400m).

After reeling off three consecutive victories under Zac Purton, Marado was fourth under the reigning champion jockey last start.

He will now be partnered by Chau after Purton opted to stick with John Size-trained Hong Kong Derby hopeful Beauty Eternal, and Ng is clear in what he expects from his new jockey.

“Last start, we didn’t give him a chance to breathe properly. We just kept chasing him early, and before the straight we’d used him up, so he didn’t get his chance to breathe around the turn and go again,” Ng said of Marado.

“We’ll ride him little bit more quietly this time, so hopefully, he can give us a strong finish at the end.”

Chau and Ng also join forces with Le Plus Vite in the Class Five Sutherland Handicap (1,200m) and Billionaire Secret in the Class Four Rumsey Handicap (1,400m), while Ng has engaged Purton to replace Chau aboard second starter Quantum Patch in the Class Three Hillier Handicap (1,800m) after the four-year-old finished seventh on his Hong Kong debut.

“He’s a very nice horse. We’ve tried to work him in patiently and progress towards the Classic Series races, but at the end of the day, we have to see what the horse shows us first,” Ng said.

“We’ve only got six weeks [to the Hong Kong Derby], so hopefully, he can do something. But if he doesn’t make it, he’ll still be a very nice stayer in the future.”