Tony Cruz became only the fourth trainer in Hong Kong racing history to saddle 500 winners at Happy Valley when the legendary horseman slotted a double with Californiatotality and Kingly Demeanor at the city circuit on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
Cruz reached the landmark with Hong Kong International Sale graduate Kingly Demeanor’s all-the-way success in the Class 5 Yue Wan Handicap (1800m) for Keith Yeung, joining Caspar Fownes (620 Happy Valley wins), John Moore (530) and George Moore (530) in one of Hong Kong racing’s most exclusive clubs.<\/p>\n
With an unmatched 2,502 Hong Kong wins as a jockey (946) and trainer (1,556), Cruz was elated to slot his 500th triumph as a trainer at Happy Valley, where he started his riding career as an apprentice jockey in 1973\/74.<\/p>\n
“It’s great to get to 500,” Cruz said. “This is where I started my career and I’ve had a lot winners here, as a jockey and trainer, so it’s great. I had no idea I was close to 500 wins, so thank you for keeping count.”<\/p>\n
\nTony Cruz double at Happy Valley! \u270c\ufe0f<\/p>\n
Five wins this season for the 4YO by Zoustar, who captures consecutive Class 2s with @AlexisBadel<\/a> in the plate\u2026#HappyWednesday<\/a> | #HKracing<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/lPLcxOtUxo<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Cruz subsequently struck with Californiatotality in the Class 2 Choi Hung Handicap (1650m) for Alexis Badel.<\/p>\n
Posting his fifth win for the season, the four-year-old has won twice since finishing 11th in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) behind Cap Ferrat in March and impressed Badel after surging past Soleil Fighter.<\/p>\n
“He’s lovely. He actually surprised me. I didn’t have such expectation and he did very well. He had a good draw (barrier two), so I had cover and he travelled lovely and waited for a signal and he quickened when I needed him to do it. It was a promising win,” Badel said.<\/p>\n
Cruz said: “He’s a versatile horse \u2013 this distance was a bit short but he had a good gate and had every chance to win. His next run will be in the Group 3 Premier Plate (1800m Handicap on 22 June at Sha Tin) \u2013 1800m is the perfect distance for him.” <\/p>\n
Seasons Wit returned to the winners’ list under Lyle Hewitson to land the Class 3 Choi Wan Handicap (1000m) for Jamie Richards. The winner of four races at Happy Valley in 2023, Seasons Wit reached a career-high rating of 99, but had not won in 21 ensuing starts until Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
The Capitalist gelding was given a superb ride by Hewitson, who allowed the five-year-old to settle on the fence midfield before angling into the clear and accelerating sharply. Hewitson completed a brace aboard Mark Newnham-trained King Lotus in the first section of the Class 4 Tin Sau Handicap (1200m).<\/p>\n
“Fortunately, I’ve stuck with him from day one \u2013 he’s always given me a nice feel,” Hewitson said. “We thought he would need 1400m, at least, before he wins and we thought he would be a nice miler.<\/p>\n
“On debut, he ran a nice race. He got held up over the last few strides, he could have run fourth, and with natural improvement, he showed a bit more today. He’s an uncomplicated horse who’s getting better so the fact he got it right today is pretty impressive.”<\/p>\n
\nKing Lotus rolls them all at odds of 28\/1 in his second start in Hong Kong, securing a Happy Valley double for @LyleHewitson<\/a> in the process\u2026 \u270c\ufe0f#HappyWednesday<\/a> | #HKracing<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/LG6VbFsCbU<\/a><\/p>\n