Preparing to return following an injury-shortened season, Harry Bentley is looking forward to reuniting with old ally Tomodachi Kokoroe in Sunday`s (6 September) HK$4.2 million G3 HKSAR Chief Executive`s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin.



Bentley suffered arm injuries when he was dislodged in a race in June. He resumed trackwork and trials last month after rehabilitation ahead of this weekend`s 10-race season opener, which features the reappearance of dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising.



“I had an operation on the following morning after the injury – they inserted a plate into my left arm and it was able to begin healing straight away. I was fortunate that, actually, from the day after the injury I was on the road to recovery very, very fast,” Bentley said.



“No time was wasted at all. I was able to crack on with physio from the off and things have healed really well. The recovery was actually very smooth, but it`s hard to take mentally because I was very pleased with how the season went – I really wanted to finish on a high and maintain those relationships I had built all season.”



Bentley, 34, was on course for his first 40-win Hong Kong season before it was cut short. He won the G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) with Tomodachi Kokoroe before Stormy Grove`s Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) victory – the Englishman`s most lucrative win in Hong Kong.



“It was a real disappointment for it to end the way it did. But when you have a forced break, you have to try and take some positives away and accept that it is what it is and that you`re going to have some time on the sidelines.



“Then it was to really focus on resting the body – physically and mentally – after a long season, so that I was ready to come back. I was able to go back home and spend time with family and friends. It wasn`t wasted, and the injuries didn`t stop me from doing much, except for maybe playing golf,” Bentley said.



Since arriving during the 2020/21 season, Bentley has ridden 159 winners in Hong Kong. He rode 34 last season, while his career-high 39 came in 2023/24.



“I feel like I`ve had a longer break than the others, so I`m really ready to get going and get stuck in. The body feels really good; mentally, I am prepared and ready,” Bentley said. “It was definitely my objective to get into the 40-win bracket last season.



“That would definitely be a target to aim for and then, honestly, just trying to win as many races as I can and also top-quality winners.”



Tomodachi Kokoroe is one of six horses entered to run in the HKSAR Chief Executive`s Cup, where fellow David Hayes trainee Ka Ying Rising is assigned top-weight (135lb) and will chase a record 21st consecutive win.



“He`s (Tomodachi Kokoroe) a veteran here, and he put up some really good performances last season, especially at the beginning of last season. Obviously, he does well off a break, and he`s going to be carrying no weight at all,” Bentley said. “It`s a small field, and he`s definitely going to be thereabouts, but you have to go in with managed expectations (against Ka Ying Rising).



“But it is a horse race at the end of the day, and I`ll certainly be riding to get the best possible position for him. I`ve got six rides on the day – it`s a nice number to come in with, and Flying Fortress is one of them. I`ve had a very good relationship with him; he looks to be in good form. Hopefully, he can put in a good performance.”



Admission to Sha Tin commences at 10.30am, with the first race scheduled for 12.30pm.