He has tasted success with a couple of progressive gallopers already this season, and Karis Teetan will look to continue that trend at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
After snaring the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) aboard Victor The Winner on opening day, Teetan saluted with Lucky Encounter on the weekend and will now join forces with smart three-year-old Helene Feeling.
“It’s always nice to start the season with a winner, and especially to start the season with a winner like Victor The Winner. It’s a really nice race to win, and he’s a promising horse for the future. Lucky Encounter is a nice little horse as well. He’s also got a bright future in Hong Kong,” Teetan said.
“Helene Feeling did well last season, he comes off a nice win and I think it’s going to be a good race for him with that weight on his back.”
He sure is well named! ????
Victor The Winner cruises home under 115lb (and @KarisTeetan) to capture the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup over Lucky Sweynesse. ????#SeasonOpener | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/tM9NsJH68t— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) September 10, 2023
Danny Shum Chap-shing’s Helene Feeling did not miss a place from his five starts last term, winning twice, and tackles his first Class Two assignment in the Victoria Harbour Handicap (1,650m).
While it was Zac Purton in the saddle each time last season, Teetan is the beneficiary of Helene Feeling’s 117-pound impost in a race where the pair must overcome barrier 11.
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly, but I think if he gets a good break and I get him into a nice position, he’ll run well. He’s got quality, and he’s one who can keep progressing,” Teetan said.
Also among Teetan’s seven-strong book is the Jamie Richards-trained Rattan Kingdom in the Class Three Tsim Sha Tsui East Handicap (1,200m).
Three in the bag! ???? @zpurton collects a hat-trick at Sha Tin and moves to 166 wins for the season as Helene Feeling lands a second success in Hong Kong. #HKracing pic.twitter.com/LDlfBH0k2Z
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) July 3, 2023
The pair tasted success over the extended Happy Valley mile in April before Rattan Kingdom failed to fire once each at the city circuit and Sha Tin to finish his campaign.
“He won over the 1,650m with me, then he went a bit off form. His last few runs he wasn’t producing what he’s capable of, but after the summer break I feel the horse has come back himself again,” Teetan said.
“He’s coming back in trip, his last trial was really good, and I think Jamie has the horse feeling good again. I know he’s going back in distance, but he’s won over the distance and he’s fresh, so that’ll help him on Wednesday night.”
Eternal tunes up for Sha Tin Trophy return: ‘hopefully, he can take that next step’
While this time last year Teetan was sidelined with a thyroid condition that saw him miss almost three months, the Mauritian could not be happier with his fitness three meetings into the 2023-24 campaign.
“I did a test when I got back from holidays, and the exact words from the doctor were ‘you’re free completely, there’s nothing wrong with you at all’,” Teetan said.
“He suggested not even worrying about doing blood tests every six months, but I’ll do it just in case. But it’s totally gone, it’s amazing. It’s been like that since December, but it’s always nice to know I’m fine, and the doctors are very confident that everything is going to be OK from now on.”