Creating career pathways has long been at the heart of Hong Kong Jockey Club values.
Regardless of age, gender and background, the Club has constantly sought to identify, cultivate and enhance potential.
With that in mind, the elevation on Friday of Pierre Ng to a full training licence for the 2022/23 season is another example of the Club’s deep commitment to recognising and rewarding talent.
At 38, Pierre has had the ideal grounding for entry next season into Hong Kong’s incredibly competitive training ranks.
The son of former successful horseman Peter Ng, Pierre has worked with some of the best trainers in the world as part of a comprehensive international education, including overseas stints with David Hayes, Chris Waller, Mick Price and David Payne in Australia, Takayuki Yasuda in Japan and William I. Mott in the United States.
Since returning to Hong Kong, Pierre has added further experience by serving as an assistant trainer to Paul O’Sullivan – travelling to Singapore and Japan with Group 1-winning sprinter Aerovelocity – and 11-time champion John Size before linking up with Francis Lui’s stable, where he has been closely involved with Golden Sixty’s incredible success.
Pierre also previously assisted in the preparation of yearlings in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Japan and, while in Australia, completed a Bachelor Of Science in Safety Science and Japanese Studies.
With Paul O’Sullivan’s departure at the end of the season, Pierre’s promotion and Jamie Richards’ arrival represents an injection of fresh talent and energy.
On the subject of providing opportunities, I am also pleased that Angus Chung will return to Hong Kong next season after riding in Australia. Angus currently sits in sixth place in the South Australian jockeys’ premiership with 53 wins this season, and 76 overall from 689 mounts in Australia.
Angus, 25, follows in the pathway of Jerry Chau, Matthew Poon, Alfred Chan and Victor Wong, who also spent their apprenticeship in South Australia, riding in hundreds of races at several different tracks and gaining vital experience before returning to Hong Kong.
I look forward to monitoring Angus’ future progress.
On Sunday at Sha Tin, the Lai Pek Shan Handicap is the seventh of 11 races and will be run over 1200 metres on the All-Weather Track. The pace will be contested early and will be run at a good tempo.
Campione will go forward with Matthew Poon to make the running but he will have plenty of company. Ka Ying Master is a last-start winner over the surface and he will be prominent under Harry Bentley along with McLucky with Lyle Hewitson and We The South under Derek Leung.
The race sets up nicely for deep closer Silver Fig, a five-time winner over the track and distance. He will go back in the run with Antoine Hamelin and is capable of strong closing sectionals. I make him a win and place chance.
Ka Ying Master is in career-best form and is another horse that goes well on the dirt track. He is a place chance coming off a convincing win in an expanded Class 3 in his last start and a recent visit to Conghua where he trialled well.
Rock Ya Heart makes his first appearance on the dirt track and comes into the race with good form. He will be inside midfield behind the good pace and should get every opportunity with Ruan Maia taking the ride. He is a place chance along with Campione, who is working very well and will be able to lead from gate two.
Comment
