Blinkers transformed Top MilitaryHong Kong Jockey Club
Top Military delivered a bazooka of a shock in division two of the Class 4 Staunton Handicap (1200m) to help jockey Ben So to his first double since November 2016.
The six-year-old became the longest-priced winner at Happy Valley since Hong Kong racing turned professional in 1971, rattling home at odds of 283/1 under So to pip the 4/7 favourite Sky Show.
“Unbelievable!” So said after weighing in. “If you see the record of the horse, you couldn’t expect he’d run that well.”
Top Military won a couple of races on wet tracks in New Zealand back in 2017 but had gone eight races without success in his injury-hit Hong Kong career, including when last of 12 over 1650m a month ago. The Benno Yung-trained gelding had previously raced around at odds of 434/1 and 374/1.
“I think the first-time blinkers must have changed the horse,” said rider So, who will retire at this season’s end. “He was flying home. I’m very happy anyway!”
Ben So went on to complete a 15,000/1 double when Divine Unicorn got up by a short-head at odds of 52/1 in the penultimate race on the card.
