Matthew Chadwick ‘giving it his best’ as Tony Cruz Award reaches the business end

The 34-year-old hopes Bravehearts can help him close the gap to Matthew Poon in the race to be leading local rider

July 7, 2025





Matthew Chadwick is hoping to make his move in the race for the Tony Cruz Award with a strong book of rides headlined by Bravehearts in the feature Class Two Begonia Handicap (1,800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.


The 34-year-old will arrive to the Valley on the 34-winner mark for the campaign, just two behind leader Matthew Poon Ming-fai and one ahead of fellow hopeful Derek Leung Ka-chun in the race to be the season’s leading local jockey.


Chadwick is hunting down a second Tony Cruz Award and has picked up one of Poon’s regular rides, Bravehearts, in what could be a cruel twist of fate for Poon.


A three-time winner at Sha Tin this season, the Mark Newnham-trained six-year-old has been in consistent form since the most recent of those successes back in December.


Last time out, Bravehearts came from a long way back to be narrowly denied in a tricky Class Three over 2,000m at Sha Tin and he will make just his second appearance at the city circuit on Wednesday.


“Matthew Poon is not on Bravehearts because he was meant to pick up another ride I think, but that didn’t happen so it’s frustrating for him,” said Chadwick.


“But it’s a nice ride to pick up, he’s not drawn very well, like many of my rides so I’ll have to work it out from there. The pace looks to be even so I’ll hope to get a smooth run into it and see what he can do late.


“He’s been racing consistently so the switch in tracks should be fine. I haven’t ridden him before so I’m just going to go in with hopes high and give him the best ride that I can.”


It is a busy evening for Chadwick with rides in eight of the nine races, including last-start winner Superb Capitalist in the Class Three Briar Handicap (1,000m).



Superb Capitalist gets up late at Happy Valley.


The Capitalist galloper won the Class Three St George’s Challenge Cup (1,000m) on his most recent start, getting up in the shadows of the post in a race marred by the incident that saw Seasons Wit go amiss in the final 100m.


That win off a rating of 74 was his first victory since May 2024, where he rattled off a pair of successes rated 75 and 86.


The draw is not a plus point to his chances, but Chadwick is hopeful of a big run from the five-year-old.


“He had a soft draw last time and everything went his way - obviously the accident during the race was really unfortunate but the horse did what he had to do,” said Chadwick.


“He’s got to carry more weight this time and the draw is a bit of a bump in the road, so I’ll have to see where I slot in and take it from there.”



Matthew Chadwick is within striking distance of the Tony Cruz Award.


Chadwick claimed the Tony Cruz Award in the 2021-22 season and with just the three meetings left, this year’s fight is almost certain to go down to the final meeting.


And for Chadwick, luck is going to play a huge part in who eventually comes out on top.


“I think for all of us we just look to start the season strongly and then at this point of the season, we know where we stand and it becomes a bit more of a target and jumps up from the backs of our minds,” said Chadwick.


“We’ll all give it our best shot I’m sure. I guess it will come down to the draws and the circumstances of the races for everyone.”

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