Brenton Avdulla eyes more riches with Sight Success

By Declan Schuster
After scooping his biggest prize in Hong Kong aboard Sight Success last month, jockey Brenton Avdulla hopes the underrated sprinter can propel him to further heights as the pair gear up for Sunday’s (19 November) HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin.

“I hit the ground running with a winner at the first meeting and then it was a little bit quiet but I’ve ridden five winners across the last seven meetings. Everything is ticking over really well. I’m getting good support from a wide base and John Size has definitely been a big part of that, he’s given me some nice opportunities,” Avdulla said.

Avdulla, 32, is enjoying a solid start to the new season with six wins, capped by his surprise triumph aboard the John Size-trained Sight Success in the HK$5.35 million G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) at odds of 23/1, bravely defeating Lucky Sweynesse.

“I probably found my way to Sight Success because of the weight but I was able to make the most of the chance and hopefully he can run well again and take us through to the internationals (LONGINES Hong Kong International Races),” Avdulla said.

Sight Success was runner-up in the 2022 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at double figure odds. The consistent seven-year-old boasts nine victories in Hong Kong, including a Group 3 score, and was fourth in this weekend’s race last year.

“He trialled well (between runs), he’s ticking over nicely. He’s taken plenty of confidence out of his win and I’d say John has him in really good order,” Avdulla said.

Lucky Sweynesse, Wellington, Duke Wai, Super Wealthy, Victor The Winner and Fantastic Treasure are also entered in the BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint.

“He was lucky enough to draw gate one and we were able to execute a plan and everything worked out really well last start.

“It’ll be interesting to see as well with Lucky Sweynesse, not giving everyone around 15 pounds. We’ll see how we go this weekend,” Avdulla said.

Sight Success carried 14lb less than Lucky Sweynesse to victory last start. This weekend, he’s been assigned 123lb, while the reigning champion sprinter carries 128lb.

Avdulla takes seven rides at Happy Valley tonight (Wednesday, 15 November), including Kyrus Dragon in the Class 3 Nakayama Handicap (1000m) for trainer David Hall.

“He’s a horse that has some good talent. He’s very raw, he’s had a few barrier issues and he still wants to overdo things in the run,” Avdulla said.

The chestnut was a two-time winner over 1000m in Australia pre-import.

This evening’s nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Kokura Handicap (1200m).