With Group Two trials day going some way to separating the contenders from the pretenders for the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) meeting, November is always a crucial month in Hong Kong racing.

The Post analyses the jockeys and trainers who had a month to remember or one to forget, as well as the most outstanding victory and winning ride of November.

Who’s hot?

James McDonald made an immediate impact on his return to the city for a short-term contract, booting home seven winners at a very tidy strike rate of 22.6 per cent. Crowned the Longines World’s Best Jockey for 2024 last weekend, the Kiwi star bagged a double at each of his first three meetings back in Hong Kong and the winners should keep flowing until the end of his stint on December 22.

With just three wins and a staggering 23 placings to his name heading into November, Derek Leung Ka-chun was desperate to convert some of his near-misses into victories. He did mostly that, adding seven triumphs to his seasonal tally including a drought-breaking treble at Sha Tin last Sunday. Unfortunately for the 36-year-old, he was hit with careless riding suspensions at three consecutive meetings, which threatens to halt his momentum.

From a trainer perspective, Tony Cruz and Cody Mo Wai-kit shot up the championship standings with each preparing eight winners for the month. A four-timer at Happy Valley was the highlight for Cruz, who sits sixth in the premiership – one spot ahead of Mo, who landed the first treble of his career at Sha Tin last Sunday and is doing a fine job in his second season.

Who’s not?

It’s fair to say November was a month to forget for Hugh Bowman. The Australian ace managed just three wins from 51 rides, with his long winning drought finally ending at 46 rides when he booted home Gallant Valour at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. On a brighter note, Bowman added another win on Wednesday night on Rocket Spade to finish the month with a double. As the saying goes, “form is temporary, class is permanent”. It won’t be long until Bowman regains top form.

Alexis Badel also battled in November, failing to register a win from 45 rides. While the Frenchman doesn’t get the strongest mounts, with only two of his rides for the month starting favourite, he would be desperate to end his winless run.

David Hayes was flying to start the season, but his momentum was halted by a quiet month with just two wins. Apart from stable star Ka Ying Rising, the Australian Hall of Fame handler’s only other winner didn’t come until Wednesday night at Happy Valley courtesy of Affordable. Despite the lean run, Hayes remains in the top five in the premiership and only five wins behind title leader Pierre Ng Pang-chi.

Win of the month

Ka Ying Rising scoops this gong for the third consecutive month after a freakish Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m) success. The emerging superstar went to another level, breaking the track record – set by Sacred Kingdom in the same race 17 years earlier – by 0.07 seconds when cruising home by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

It was a performance that had many crowning him the world’s best active sprinter and saw him firm to odds-on favouritism in early markets for next week’s Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m).

Ride of the month

Andrea Atzeni’s winning ride on Beauty Destiny at the Valley on November 6 was poetry in motion. Jumping from a wide draw in barrier 10, the enigmatic galloper was taken back by Atzeni and settled on the inside with just one rival behind him early.

Atzeni edged forward in the middle stages and cleverly came off the fence 400m out, tracking the $1.8 favourite Storming Dragon into the race. That move was crucial as Beauty Destiny launched late to grab Storming Dragon on the line by a shorthead. Zac Purton’s ride on Super Love Dragon, saving valuable ground on the inside after jumping from barrier 12 at Sha Tin, was also one of the month’s best rides.