Sunday was a memorable day for our sole female apprentice jockey Kei Chiong, as she created a new chapter of local racing history by becoming the first female jockey, and also the first 10-pound claimer in nearly seven years, to ride four winners in one race meeting.
With the last of her winning quartet coming from McQueen in the Beijing Clubhouse Anniversary Cup, our Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip, Club Stewards and I all offered our praises and congratulations to Kei during and after the presentation ceremony. The racing crowd also expressed their appreciation for this accomplishment, giving her huge applause in the paddock before she was to ride Enormous Honour in her final race of the day. She came within a whisker of landing a fifth on the day, though, just nosed out by the winner in the final stride of that race.
Kei’s special feat attracted extensive coverage from both local and overseas media. As the Club’s Chief Executive, I’m definitely thrilled to see her doing so well, but it’s important for her to stay focused and not to get carried away, rather maintaining her focus as this is just another step in her all-important career development.
The Club has worked well over the years to really develop the Apprentice Jockeys’ School, something I have discussed in my blog recently. The AJS sets the curriculum for the school and uses a holistic support system to nurture our young talent. The most successful will be sent overseas for an apprenticeship which can last several years. If successful, they can earn an opportunity to make the local riding ranks, but the path to becoming a jockey is an arduous one, and there are some who will not meet the criteria to continue in training as jockeys. Those who do not are afforded other opportunities to take up a wide range of posts in the equine field, including work riders, racing management trainees, equestrian assistants or farriers.
The other current graduates of the AJS currently riding in Hong Kong include: Keith Yeung, Derek Leung, Vincent Ho, Jack Wong, Howard Cheng, Alex Lai, Ben So, Alvin Ng, Matthew Chadwick, Jacky Tong and Eddy Lai.
Tonight’s feature is the EWO Challenge Trophy, run as race 8 and is a Class 2 over 1650m. The going is expected to be soft with all the rain which does not often happen in Hong Kong and I think it is wise to assess if horses can handle the soft track condition. Our track profile designs allows the course to cope with a significant amount of rain, otherwise, the track would be heavy and we would not even be able to hold a meeting at all.
The pace of the race is expected to be good which should give all horses a chance to perform well. King Genki led the early stages of the Derby last time and then trailed them home, but Fat Choy Hong Kong is the likely overall leader here. Twin Delight is another who can go forward and should be just outside King Genki. Circuit Land and Jun Huo are likely next with Pikachu and Amber Dragon slotting in midfield. Friends Of Ka Ying will likely be near the rear with Star Majestic and Photon Willie.
Circuit Land is in very good form and trialled well when winning at Happy Valley and is on form. He’s the horse to beat and has handled soft going when racing in France. Overcoming soft conditions tonight should not be a problem. Twin Delight has won on a good to yielding track and with Kei Chiong on board has the advantage of the 10 pound claim allowance and is a place chance for me. Star Majestic is in good form and should not be underestimated and the same applies for Pikachu who is ridden by Joao Moreira.
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