Shum takes HK premiership lead after Happy Valley treble

Danny Shum has moved to the outright lead in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship after a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

Shum struck with Romantic Gladiator, General Redwood and Leading Agility to move to 54 wins, edging ahead of Mark Newnham (52) and Caspar Fownes (51) in a hotly contested title battle.

“I will try my best for the championship, but the main thing for me is the horses,” Shum said, adding he would not overextend his team in pursuit of the premiership.

Zac Purton featured prominently among the jockeys with a double, highlighted by a measured ride on Romantic Gladiator in the Class 3 French May Trophy Handicap over 1650 metres.

Australian jockey Ethan Brown also continued his strong Hong Kong stint with another winner.

Purton and Brown will be in action at the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 meeting in Brisbane on Saturday.