An intelligent front-running ride on the Peter Ho Leung-trained Handsome Zulu was the highlight of a Ben So Tik-hung double at Happy Valley last night.
Having already won the night's feature race aboard Super Plus, So snatched the Jockey Challenge when he caught rivals napping in the New York Handicap (1,800m).
Ho had instructed So to lead, but praised the five-pound claiming apprentice's initiative after a daring, but race-winning, midrace move.
The trainer's directions were to lead and then hand-up to find the box seat. But after rating the five-year-old steadily in front, So held the front before sneaking away to grab a critical break down the back.
By the time Handsome Zulu turned for home he held a three-length plus margin and the field were off the bit and chasing. It was a big enough margin for him to fall in by a short-head from the fast-finishing Happy Guys.
'It showed he was thinking,' Ho said. 'The thing that won the race was having that break at the turn.'