Bentley to be back among the winners
HARRY Bentley gets a vote of confidence to ride his fourth Hong Kong winner when he resumes his winning partnership with CLASSIC POSH in the first division of the Hawthorne Handicap (2:45pm).
Sussex born, and former six-time Qatar champion Bentley, took a gamble by accepting the challenge in March to leave the UK and join the jockeys’ roster in the red-hot and ‘dog eat dog’ atmosphere in Hong Kong.
A limited return of just three wins from 113 rides would suggest he may have jumped from the frying pan into the fire but that would be a long way from the truth.
It’s well-known that it takes most newly arrived jockeys in the territory plenty of time to acclimatise to their new surroundings, and Bentley has been no exception.
The 28-year-old, however, has quickly gained a reputation from both trainers and fickle owners for his hard-work ethic, thoughtful race-rides, and power-packed finishes.
This was highlighted by the ride he gave the David Hall trained Classic Posh in the closing stages when winning over this course and distance a fortnight ago.
A 7lb penalty would appear to make life a lot tougher for the five-year-old, but that contest looked stronger on paper than the rivals he meets here, and with Hall’s stable firing on all cylinders – he has had six winners from his last 23 runners – Bentley has an opportunity to further enhance his reputation.
POINTER
Classic Posh 2.45pm Happy Valley