CITY WAIT NOT SO “WONG” THIS TIME

THE wait was nowhere near as long this time!

Not that he has a lot of city runners, but Tommy Wong’s victory with Desi Emperor at Canterbury last year was his first success in town since Seefu – a horse he also bred and owned - scored on the Kensington track in February 2007.

Coincidentally, the Hawkesbury trainer’s triumph with Hostwin King yesterday was at exactly the same meeting as Desi Emperor 12 months ago.

Ridden by Louis Beuzelin, Hostwin King ($12) defeated Elio ($9) and Horologist ($8.50) in the 2YO Handicap (1200m), maintaining his unbeaten record.

The youngster had no trouble graduating from provincial company after debuting in a 2YO Maiden Plate (1000m) at Kembla Grange on June 20.

Hostwin King was Wong’s fourth winner this season; three of them have been with two-year-olds, and Beuzelin has been the rider on every occasion.

After scoring with Platinum Gift at Nowra on December 31, he has since won twice with Hostwin King, and with another two-year-old Dashing Splendour at Hawkesbury on May 14.

“Louis lives in the eastern suburbs, but comes out to Hawkesbury to ride at jumpouts for me,” Wong said this morning.

“He really likes this colt.

“Hostwin King has a good temperament, and didn’t need to be gelded.

“He has pulled up well. I trotted him up this morning to flex his joints, and will give him a week off in the yard and then decide where to go with him next.”

Beuzelin had Hostwin King away quickly from his outside barrier in the field of seven, sat outside the more experienced Elio (who was having his fifth start), and proved strongest at the business end despite carrying 1.5kg more.

Wong, a Hong Kong native whose first Australian runner was at Port Macquarie in 2000 and his breakthrough winner was Amza King at his home track in May 2003, prepares Hostwin King for Hong Kong owner Jason Tam.

“I’ve known Jason for a long time, and this is the first horse I have trained for him,” he said.

Whilst Hostwin King at $210,000 at the Inglis Classic yearling sale last year was the dearest progeny of his sire King’s Legacy that season, Wong also has Tam in another youngster, a rising two-year-old – but this time for a much lesser outlay.

“I bought a “cheapie”, a Tassort yearling for $20,000, and Jason will race it with me,” Wong said.

Whilst Wong headed to Gosford today hoping to share another win with Beuzelin (Gold Earth in the Provincial Maiden Handicap, 1000m), he revealed his other two-year-old winner Dashing Splendour is headed to Hong Kong.

“Dashing Splendour is also owned in Hong Kong, and has been vetted ahead of going there,” Wong said.

“Hopefully, I can keep Hostwin King to continue racing him here.”

. Hostwin King was the Hawkesbury training base’s 165^th winner so far this season.

. Wong wasn’t the sole provincial winning trainer at Canterbury yesterday.

Mitch Beer and George Carpenter, headed for a maiden home track Kembla Grange premiership, won the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1900m) with $14 chance Captain Fenkel.

Ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, Captain Fenkel easily defeated $9 pair War Ribbon and Allegro Miss.

The five-year-old gelding was the duo’s 51^st NSW winner so far this season.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JULY 9, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS