Keith Yeung Ming-lun plans to keep it simple aboard Ka Ying Cheer as the four-year-old looks to remain unbeaten in Sunday’s Class Four Cycling Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin.
A nice debut winner after leading throughout under Yeung three weeks ago, Ka Ying Cheer has drawn gate 11 for his second start, and the jockey certainly is not overthinking things.
“There’s not much thinking involved at all, really. When you’ve got a speed horse, and you draw that barrier, there aren’t many options but to drive him forward,” Yeung said.
Sent off the $2.1 favourite on debut, the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained Ka Ying Cheer only narrowly held out Lady’s Choice, but that pair were a couple of lengths clear of Pins Prince in a race run in good time.
Ka Ying Cheer lifts to deny Lady's Choice!
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) October 1, 2023
Keith Yeung does the steering to cap a Pierre Ng race-to-race double. ✌️ #HKracing pic.twitter.com/F0Ta0NPNAe
“He frightened me – Pierre and I thought he was going win easier than that. But it was still a good effort from the horse. He just keeps fighting,” Yeung said of Ka Ying Cheer, who was given seven points for the victory and will carry the top weight of 135 pounds this weekend.
“He’s a big horse, so he really needed the run to bring his fitness along. He’s definitely improved after the run, and the jump out on Monday really helped him, too.”
Ka Ying Cheer is far from Yeung’s only nice ride among his eight-strong book, with Find My Love making it back to the races after missing a run at the cancelled meeting a couple of weeks ago.
Find My Love is looking to go one better than his opening-day second but will have to overcome barrier 13 in a Class Two Equestrian Handicap (1,400m) where fellow winning chances Dancing Code (10), The Golden Scenery (11) and Supreme Lucky (12) have also drawn wide.
Frankel gelding Find My Love goes back-to-back at Sha Tin for Keith Yeung! #HKracing pic.twitter.com/oC6Wil8jUb
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 18, 2023
“He’s so honest, and he gives you everything every time he races. The best part is, it doesn’t matter where you put him in a race, he always finishes off for you,” Yeung said of Manfred Man Ka-leung’s Find My Love, who saluted twice late last season.
“The horse has been working really well, and Manfred has been doing a great job with him. The horse is really fit, so hopefully, we can overcome the gate and win this race.
“Those first two wins he had, we sort of just rode him quiet and let him relax and then come from behind. It worked well for him.
“Then, after a couple of runs, he drew a good barrier, so we decided to put him a little bit forward, and he didn’t seem to have as strong a kick as when we put him behind. When we ride him quiet again [this weekend], I’d love to see him show that sprint again.”
