Some of our existing jockeys such as Vincent Ho, Derek Leung and Kei Chiong had some exposure to horse riding before ever joining the Club’s Racing Trainee programme. The Club operates three public riding schools in Hong Kong and the riding classes there are as popular as ever.
Kei’s early success as an apprentice jockey has been a great story of success this season and she shared her experience to the mainstream media in a press session on Monday, marking the commencement of our Racing Trainee recruitment this year. It was terrific to learn about the overwhelming response from the press as there were more than 40 media representatives in attendance, providing extensive coverage both on Kei and the recruitment campaign.
As a world-class racing organisation we always endeavour to nurture more home-grown talent to our sport. This is not just for the sustainability of our sport but also to provide opportunities for a tremendously rewarding career. I have spent much of my life working with and around horses and the sport of racing has so much to offer for those involved. And who knows, our Racing Trainee recruitment campaign might even spot and develop another Tony Cruz, probably the most legendary graduate of our Apprentice Jockeys’ School. Please don't hesitate to pass along the information about our programme to those who might be interested. The recruitment period closes in three weeks’ time, on 20 July.
Today it is 19 years since the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR, and as always we will be celebrating with the Hong Kong Reunification Raceday at Sha Tin racecourse. Today has also been particularly memorable for me, since the Government has done me the great honour of awarding me the Gold Bauhinia Star in this year’s Honours List. I should say that this award truly belongs to The Hong Kong Jockey Club, which has contributed so much to the community for so many years. I would like to thank everyone at the Club for their hard work, and indeed the people of Hong Kong who have made me so welcome. Together with my colleagues I will certainly do my very best to keep working for the betterment of our community.
Today’s seventh race is the Hong Kong Reunification Cup, a Class 2 Handicap over the A+3 course at a distance of 2,000 metres. The pace is likely to be slow as many in this field are often interested in racing from midpack or farther back. Lucky Girl and McQueen are both ones who could be close, and Ambitious Champion could be as well. Ishvara will likely go forward too.
Basic Trilogy is my main win and place chance. For Joao Moreira, he figures to get a perfect spot behind the pace and with a good draw in six. His two wins this season have come at 1,800 metres and has looked recently like he would appreciate this trip as he has matured, while his two starts over longer distance both came with some troubled runs. Lucky Girl has been successful while alternating tactics in-running and is a placing chance for me, along with Star Majestic, whose last few runs have been solid efforts. While Star Majestic’s five wins in Hong Kong have all come at Happy Valley, he has placed five times from nine efforts at Sha Tin, and he should also enjoy the step-up to 2,000 metres.
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