Matthew Poon Ming-fai is charging toward a career-best season but before the 2024-25 campaign reaches its business end, he is hoping to fulfill a lifelong dream at FWD Champions Day on April 27.
The 31-year-old, nicknamed the "Poon train" during his successful stint in Australia as an apprentice, sits on 29 wins for the season and requires nine victories from the final 26 meetings to register the highest tally of his riding career.
He will also have the chance to add a maiden Group 1 success to his name aboard a pair of outsiders at Sha Tin's marquee meeting when he hops aboard recent Group 2 winner, Straight Arron, in the G1 QE II Cup (2,000 meters) and Invincible Sage in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m).
"You always dream of riding in Group 1s and to have a winner at the top level is the main goal," Poon told The Standard. "I'll do the first step of that next week and who knows, maybe I'll have a Group 1 winner soon."
The rider has had a resurgence this term and secured the biggest win of his career when he delivered the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained Straight Arron to pinpoint perfection in last month's G2 Chairman's Trophy (1,600m).
While Yiu initially suggested his galloper would stay at a mile for the G1 Champions Mile on Champions Day, the trainer has decided to avoid stablemate Voyage Bubble and instead step Straight Arron up to 2,000m for the QE II Cup.
"He did very well over a mile but I think 2,000m will be even better for him as well," Poon said of Straight Arron, who was only beaten by three-quarters of a length in the G1 Hong Kong Cup over 2,000m in 2023.
"The field is quite strong but hopefully he can deliver a surprise. He has some experience at this level so hopefully he can go well.
"He will trial in Conghua on Thursday and the horse is doing well after his win."
Poon will have the opportunity to reach 30 wins for the season at Happy Valley tonight when he takes seven rides on the nine-race card.
With consistent support and a solid book of rides at his disposal, Poon hopes Ka Ying Victory will be able to handle Happy Valley on his first start at the city track in the fourth race of the night, a Class 3 contest over 1,200m.
"The only question mark is that it's his first time going to Happy Valley so hopefully he can handle it," Poon said. "If he can, I think he should be competitive.
"I'm happy with the draw in three and the horse is in good condition so I've got my fingers crossed."
Jack Dawling
