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Fresh off banking his 500th win in Hong Kong, Karis Teetan is not about to sit back on his success so far – hungry for more as he prepares to partner the unbeaten Romantic Warrior in Sunday`s (January 30) HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m).
“It`s been a good few years – I`ve just tried to pick up as many winners as I can and now I`m just looking forward to the next 500,” Teetan said.
Arriving in Hong Kong for the 2013/14 season – Teetan savoured instant success with a win at his first ride and 50 through his maiden term; since then, he`s added another 450, collected a trio of Group 1s with Mr Stunning and Panfield – all while becoming a permanent fixture among the upper echelon of the city`s riding ranks.
“It`s just about working hard and getting the right support and trying to ride as many winners as you can – every season I have put everything in,” he said.
The Mauritian is the fifth-fastest rider in Hong Kong history to reach 500 wins behind Joao Moreira, Douglas Whyte, Zac Purton and Basil Marcus.
“It does also depend on the support you get – it plays a big role and I must say – I`ve been very good with the support I have been getting, so I`m very thankful to the owners and trainers,” Teetan said.
The 31-year-old – a natural light-weight in the saddle – has thrived in Hong Kong`s tough environment and this weekend at Sha Tin he is eager to get aboard Romantic Warrior for the first time in the Hong Kong Classic Mile – leg one of the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
“I rode him on Sunday (23 January), they asked me to come and hop on him and I thought I`ll have to come in for this horse but he`s a lovely horse – it was my first time sitting on him but he`s a gentlemen, he relaxes and does his own thing,” Teetan said.
Romantic Warrior – handpicked by Michael Kinane – was sold to Peter Lau Pak Fai through the 2021 Hong Kong International Sale for HK$4.8 million.
“Now with Fantastic Treasure coming out, the field has opened up a bit and mine`s a progressive horse – I`m looking forward to riding him,” Teetan said.
Sunday`s fixture also boasts the HK$3.7 million G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) where Teetan pairs with Ka Ying Star.
“I`m not sure why but lately he`s been jumping slow, so we`ll try to make sure he gets a clean jump and when he`s on his day and he gets his own way he can be very competitive, we`ve seen it – so we`ll see how he goes.
“I`m happy to be on him again, he`s got a big weight but let`s see,” Teetan said.
The Cityscape gelding has forged a career rolling along in front of rivals – his highlight being the gritty second he posted in the 2020 G1 Queen`s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) behind Beauty Generation – overhauled late by only half a length.
Earlier this week at Happy Valley`s midweek fixture on Wednesday, 26 January – Teetan takes seven rides, looking to guide Villa Fionn to back-to-back wins in the second section of the Class 4 Lyttelton Handicap (1650m).
“It was a nice win from him, he was just knocking on the door and kept running a few good races and I thought last time he had a perfect run, everything went his way and he kicked nicely to win a nice race,” Teetan said.
Trained by Ricky Yiu, Villa Fionn – a son of Sebring – is now a four-time winner in Hong Kong from 40 starts.
“That`s a positive sign – the form is holding up as Viva Popcorn came out and won last start pretty easily, it`s not a strong race and I think if he gets his chance again he should be strong once more,” Teetan said.
Later on the card, Teetan reunites with California Sky in the Class 3 Breezy Handicap (1200m) for trainer Tony Cruz.
“I think he`s a lovely horse, he`s got some potential – I`m hoping that first run will have brought him along a bit and if it did, then he will be very competitive,” Teetan said.
Prior to import – California Sky was a two-time winner in Australia under the care of Peter & Paul Snowden.
“He`s doing everything right, he`s got the rating in hand and he looks like a nice horse, so we`re hoping that he can do well at the Valley again,” Teetan said.
Wednesday`s (26 January) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.45pm with the Class 3 Babington Handicap (1000m).
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Karis Teetan celebrates the win of Mr Stunning in the 2020 G1 Chairman`s Sprint Prize (1200m).
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