Vincent Ho Chak-yiu started his Sunday by taking part in the torch relay for the upcoming National Games and ended it with a Happy Valley winner after saluting aboard Brave Star at the city circuit.

Ho was one of nine torch-bearers from the Jockey Club, with chairman Martin Liao Cheung-kong and chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges also among the contingent, and the rider carried the flame through Tsim Sha Tsui.

It was Ho’s first time taking part in the relay and an experience he will cherish.

“It was an honour to represent Hong Kong as a jockey and an athlete. The National Games is important and it’s my honour to do it,” said Ho as he left Happy Valley on Sunday night carrying his torch.

“All the relay runners got to keep their torch and I will frame it up, for sure.

“I will be following – I love equestrian and sailing – and I just wish all the athletes the best of luck and hope they have fun.”

Ho then did what he does best at Happy Valley, spearing Brave Star to victory in the Class Three Zhaoqing Handicap (1,200m).

“I know the horse really well and everything went perfectly for him. He drew one, he had a beautiful run and he sprinted home well,” said Ho of the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained seven-year-old, who was dropping in grade and returning to his favourite track.

“I’m glad he was able to get another win but back in Class Two won’t be easy for him.”

All in a day’s work for Chang

He headed to the city circuit in good form after a midweek double on the Sha Tin dirt and Michael Chang Chun-wai kept his momentum rolling with his first Happy Valley winner of the season on Sunday.

Sent out the $4.1 second elect for the Class Four Shantou Handicap (1,000m), Day Day Victory came from midfield under a cool Alexis Badel ride to post an emphatic three-quarter-length success on the only Happy Valley day card of the season.

Chang sits on six winners through the first 16 meetings of the season, while Badel moved to 11 victories.

Focus narrows on HKIR

With the Breeders’ Cup meeting and Sunday’s Group One Tenno Sho Autumn (2,000m) in Japan in the bag, the focus will start narrowing in on next month’s Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) and officials are hopeful some of the weekend’s big winners will now turn their attention to Sha Tin.

The horses who filled the quinella in the Tenno Sho Autumn hold HKIR entries, with winner Masquerade Ball and runner-up Museum Mile entered for both the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) and Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m).

Tastiera faded into eighth on Sunday but April’s Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) winner is in the mix for a Hong Kong return and a potential showdown with Romantic Warrior in the Cup.

The mighty Ka Ying Rising might scare a few internationals away when it comes to the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) but not, it seems, evergreen nine-year-old Khaadem.

Victorious at 80-1 in the 2023 Group One Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1,200m) in which Hong Kong speedster Wellington bumped his head on jumping and ran 10th, Khaadem showed age is just a number by running a nice third in the Group One Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (1,000m).

“It’s been a hell of a journey with him,” trainer Charlie Hills told Sky Sports Racing after Khaadem’s effort at Del Mar early on Sunday morning Hong Kong time.

“Nine years old and to finish third at the Breeders’ Cup is a great achievement for the horse.

“We’ll see how he is but I wouldn’t rule out Hong Kong for him. He seems to be thriving from his racing so there’s no reason we won’t give him one more run this year.”

Khaadem’s conqueror, Shisospicy, also holds a Hong Kong Sprint entry, while other Breeders’ Cup conquerors Notable Speech and Ethical Diamond are among the nominations for the Sha Tin showpiece on December 14.

Looking ahead, eight of the runners in Tuesday’s Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m) hold HKIR entries, including leading hopes Valiant King, Al Riffa, Buckaroo, River Of Stars and Onesmoothoperator.

While there is plenty of water to go under the bridge before the HKIR fields are announced later this month, one thing that is expected to be confirmed in the coming days is the line-up for the International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on December 10.

While there will no doubt be plenty of familiar faces among the riders selected, Ryan Moore looks likely to miss the prestigious competition for the first time since 2008 as he continues his recovery from a leg injury.