Soulmate (NZ) (Nicconi) capped a season crammed with improvement and success with dramatic victory in the Class 2 Bellflower Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night to justify Ricky Yiu’s faith in the talented former Kiwi galloper.
Soulmate has strung together four wins this term – two at Happy Valley and two at Sha Tin – to rise from 61 in the handicap at the start of the season to the cusp of a triple-figure mark after triumphing as a 91-rater by a short head over BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) third place-getter Money Catcher.
Unbeaten in two starts in New Zealand when racing as Not Ideal out of Tony Pike’s Cambridge stable, Soulmate was placed twice in his first eight Hong Kong appearances but he has blossomed this campaign.
Yiu has long held a favourable opinion of the Nicconi gelding and his faith has been amply rewarded this term.
“He’s an easy horse to ride and he’s ever so honest. Once he gets to the front he never stops. He’s a lovely horse to train,” Yiu said.
“I’ll pack him up for the season now. He’s done a great job this season and he needs a bit longer break to get him ready for next season. He seems to enjoy the small track with the tight bends, it won’t be easy to find a race for him at the Valley next season but I’ll try.”
