One of the great things about racing is the contrast between youth and experience and Hong Kong is providing us with two classic examples this week in the shape of Matthew Poon and Douglas Whyte.
It’s fascinating to think that Matthew was just a baby when Douglas signed up for his first contract to ride in Hong Kong back in 1996.
His progress through the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys’ School and a successful spell in South Australia clearly prepared him well for his professional career and it was great to see him celebrate his graduation from the apprentice ranks with his family after he partnered his 70th Hong Kong winner aboard Glory Star in the first race at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
We wish Matthew well for his future and, at the opposite end of the scale, it will be interesting to see whether Douglas can break through the 1,800 winner barrier on Happy Valley’s sole Sunday afternoon card of the season.
You only have to look at Douglas’s lifetime statistics to see what an amazing career he has had.
Most people know that he won thirteen consecutive jockeys’ championships in Hong Kong between 2001 and 2013.
However, it is only when you consider that he has travelled around 10,000 miles on horseback for a winning total that is more than double that of reigning Champion Jockey Zac Purton that you really begin to understand what an enduring sportsman he has been and still is.
I think it is fair to say we will have to wait a long time to witness another career like Douglas Whyte’s and one could also say the very same thing about Winx after her historic fourth consecutive win in Saturday’s Cox Plate.
Champions like her do so much for racing’s global appeal and the way that she has retained her huge ability and enthusiasm for racing to win 29 consecutive races in a row – including 22 at Group 1 level – has been a true pleasure to witness.
This was the sort of occasion that takes horse racing to another level, with Winx making front page news all over Australia before the race and a remarkable atmosphere among a packed crowd at Moonee Valley.
Add in the hugely positive response that has come from racing fans and sports fans all over the world during the last 24 hours and it becomes something very special that we should all be proud of in our sport.
Chris Waller has trained Winx to perfection during a winning streak that has lasted for over three and a half years now.
Her rider Hugh Bowman has been the perfect partner for the vast majority of that time and, as always, I am sure he will receive a very warm welcome when he returns to Hong Kong in the next few months.
For the 10 races at the Valley tomorrow, the Class 2 Chai Wan Kwok Handicap is the last race of the Happy Valley Sunday at 1200 metres with a quick tempo likely to be set by Fabulous One, California Fortune and Cheerfuljet. Of the three, Cheerfuljet is the one that does not require the lead, which makes him a place chance from a stalking position. California Fortune and Fabulous One are very keen to lead and may fall victim to an early battle that could lead to their undoing. The good to fast tempo should favour those coming from the back of the field.
Super Hoppy has won three straight at Happy Valley and is a horse for the course as well as a 1200 metre specialist. He is drawn wide and will need a bit of luck coming from the back but his perfect record over the course and distance makes him a win and place chance. He looked good winning a recent trial at Conghua last week and figures to benefit from the pace. Gunnison spent seven weeks at Conghua over the summer and turned in a solid effort when first up earlier this month. He is a win and place chance coming from midfield with the good to fast tempo and it is surprising to note that five of trainer John Size’s wins this season have come at the Valley.
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