TRACKSIDE WORLDWIDE

JOURNALISM STUNS IN NEW JERSEY AND POON HOLDS ON IN HONG KONG A month on from falling just short to Sovereignty in the Belmont Stakes, Journalism returned to his winning ways at Monmouth Park on Saturday, 19 July. This time in the Haskell Stakes, he timed his run perfectly, passing his Preakness Stakes rival Gosger just before the line to win by half a length. It was a reminder of the scenes witnessed in May when the three-year-old colt claimed his last Group One victory.

It was a heart-stopping display in the $1 million feature, as Journalism was slow out of the gates and needed a heroic push in the final furlong to challenge the leaders. That’s exactly what he delivered in front of a packed crowd at Monmouth, showing the turn of foot that left many spectators in awe. The win secured his third Group One title of the year and earned him a place in the Breeders’ Cup on November 1 at Del Mar.

What lies ahead for one of the most exciting three-year-olds on the US racing scene? He could make a return to Southern California to race at Del Mar next month, where he would likely face more seasoned competition. Meanwhile, his great rival Sovereignty will probably remain on the East Coast. After next weekend’s Group Two Jim Dandy Stakes, the Kentucky Derby winner is expected to stay at Saratoga and could be entered in the Travers Stakes on August 23.

Journalism’s owners and trainer Michael McCarthy have shown no hesitation in pursuing tough challenges, with their colt being the only horse to compete in all three Triple Crown races this year. The Breeders’ Cup remains the ultimate end-of-season goal, which may result in him skipping the Travers, but it sure would be a spectacle if the two star colts could clash one last time in 2025.

‘Finality’ was the word of the day in Hong Kong on Wednesday, July 16 at Happy Valley as their racing season came to an end. The jockey and trainer premierships were already decided heading into the evening, with the dominant duo of Zac Purton and John Size adding yet another title to their collection. One major award still hung in the balance - the local riders’ premiership.

Matthew Poon had one hand on the Tony Cruz Award before the first race. He had a chance to extend his lead early, but finished second and third in races one and two. That would be as close as he got, leaving the door slightly ajar for his rivals Matthew Chadwick and Derek Leung. Chadwick struggled to make an impact for most of the night, but still had a chance to take the title with a win in the season’s final race.

He looked poised to do just that as he surged to the front in the final 100 metres aboard Thriving Brother. However, three challengers came flying alongside and passed him in the last strides, denying Chadwick the victory and handing Poon the award to cap off the season. written by Joe Bell