Michael Chang continued an impressive early season form run to reach the 400-win landmark in Hong Kong with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (7 October) as Manfred Man vaulted to the top of the Hong Kong trainers` championship.



Paying tribute to his training peers and recognising Hong Kong racing`s renowned competitiveness after the success of New Power and Kwai Chung Talents, Chang said he was proud of his longevity and accomplishments.



“There are champion trainers everywhere here. After 20 years, I`m still standing here. That`s a big achievement, I joined the Club in 1987 and this is my job,” he said. “I love horse racing, I love horses, I love my job and I`m proud of myself as a Hong Kong trainer.



“We have the top trainers and jockeys from all over the world here and I am very proud to be competing here. I love this atmosphere. In Hong Kong, every (race) day is Melbourne Cup Day.



“It`s not easy to win any race here – not even a Class 5. I always try my best.”



A former jockey, Chang worked his way through the ranks to bcome assistant trainer to Gary Ng before serving in a similar capacity to Alex Wong, David Hayes and Sean Woods.



Granted a full licence in the 2005/06 season, Chang in 2014 saddled Rich Tapestry to win the G1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (1200m, dirt), who made history as the first and only Hong Kong-trained galloper to win a race in the United States of America.



New Power (126lb) gave Chang his third win from five starters, and kicked off a second double in as many meetings, by striking in the second section of the Class 4 Cheung Fat Handicap (1200m) under Keith Yeung.



“I actually planned for him to run on Sunday (11 October). He`s a very honest horse, he had a little bit of a suspensory problem last season, so I stopped him at the end of the season. Now, he is fresh, his preparation is good, and the jockey did a perfect run,” Chang said.



The veteran horseman took his season`s tally to six wins to be seventh overall behind Man (10 wins) when Kwai Chung Talents (119lb) prevailed in the first section of the Class 4 Cheung Fat Handicap (1200m), also under Yeung.



Zac Purton extended his lead at the top of the Hong Kong jockeys` championship with a brace, scoring with Sunday`s Serenade and Absolute Honour. After nine completed meetings, Purton has 16 winners, seven clear of Derek Leung (nine). Vincent Ho and Nichola Yuen are next on eight wins each.



Jamie Richards lauded nine-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey Purton`s ride on Sunday`s Serenade (131lb) after the gelding posted his third course and distance success in the second section of the Class 4 Fat Tseung Handicap (1650m). “He (Purton) found the fence from nine, came around one horse - quite incredible. Very, very good ride - as good as I`ve seen here for some time,” Richards said. “He (Sunday`s Serenade) chipped a knee and to be honest, Zac came out and said the track`s pretty firm and we were a little bit concerned that he might not let down.



“But`s been up at Conghua and had the benefit of all the rehabilitation services up there and he`s in the spa and all those sorts of things. The boys have done a good job. He`s been a good, honest horse, he wears his heart on his sleeve, he`s never far away and it was a very good win but an even better ride.”



Frankie Lor was similarly effusive about Purton after the Australian registered a double aboard Absolute Honour (126lb) in the first section of the Class 4 Fat Tseung Handicap (1650m).



“I was a bit surprised that he led by himself - only Zac can do it. The pace was slow, so he could still sprint the last 400m,” Lor said.



Georgian Sigma`s (126lb) breakthrough triumph in the Class 4 Chinese General Chamber Of Commerce Cup Handicap (1000m) delivered Angus Chung and Tony Cruz`s first wins of the season, respectively, delighting both the trainer and jockey.



“I didn`t get a winner in a month, which was actually not frustrating because I knew the horses were progressing and they were just not there yet and there`s more to come,” Chung said.



“I have confidence, it`s just a time problem. This horse (Georgian Sigma) ran very well, he`s very consistent and I am glad that he broke the maiden here.”



Cruz said: “It`s been a slow start to the season. I`m so happy - Angus rode a perfect race. He had a good draw (gate seven) this time and the horse is improving.”



Man-trained Golden Fortune (127lb) broke through at his 13th start under a brilliant Brenton Avdulla ride to land the Class 5 Bedford Handicap (1800m) before Man completed a double in tandem with Derek Leung with Bright Day (119lb) in the second section of the Class 3 Yip Fat Handicap (1200m).



Five-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer Caspar Fownes also fired in a double.



The reigning titleholder teamed with Ellis Wong to snare the Class 3 Hing Fat Handicap (1650m) with Audacious Pursuit (116lb), who set a class record of 1m 38.30s after surging from the tail of the field, before Ho crowned a memorable week when he piloted The Heir (125lb) to victory in the first section of the Class 3 Yip Fat Handicap (1200m).



On Tuesday (6 October), Ho became the first racing person to be named as one of Hong Kong`s Ten Outstanding Young Persons in recognition of his acclaimed achievements in horse racing, continued drive for world-class excellence, and his contribution to society.



Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (11 October).