Jockeys are seldom far from the headlines in Hong Kong and recent weeks have been busy with news of several departures and an imminent arrival.
The experienced French rider Tony Piccone is the new recruit after the Club’s Licensing Committee granted him a two-month licence beginning on 1 January.
We wish him well as he starts a new chapter but I am sure he will travel under no illusions about the task that lies ahead.
Life as a jockey here is more challenging than in other places. The fact that we race just twice a week puts the emphasis firmly on quality rather than quantity and riders must source their own mounts without a manager or agent.
But one of the core strengths of our racing model is that it creates an intensely competitive environment at all levels.
That model doesn’t suit everyone. Indeed, plenty of big name riders have failed to adapt over the years, but those who do have key qualities in common and this season’s jockeys’ table provides a clear illustration of the point.
While Joao Moreira was an instant success when arriving here from Singapore – and is currently riding at his magical best – history shows that his case is an exception.
Zac Purton wasn’t an immediate hit when he first came to Hong Kong. He freely admits that it took a while to understand that he had to match Douglas Whyte’s clinical mentality to succeed but his progress since has helped make him one of the world’s elite performers.
And that sort of intense professionalism raises the bar for others. Karis Teetan’s latest treble at Happy Valley confirmed that he deserves his place among the very best and Vincent Ho has shown similar dedication on and off the track to secure a position in the top four.
Vincent is one of five active homegrown riders who have worked hard to pass the 250-winner mark in Hong Kong – the others being Matthew Chadwick, Derek Leung, Keith Yeung and Alex Lai – and that is something very significant in itself.
Grant van Niekerk and Chad Schofield are building steadily with time on their side and our European imports Silvestre de Sousa and Alexis Badel have made their mark through a combination of skill and a willingness to embrace all aspects of what it takes to succeed here.
Put simply, making it as a top rider in Hong Kong isn’t easy. It never has been, it never will be. But the rewards for those who do make the grade are tremendous and the ability to dig in and show resilience during tough times is a key part of that process.
Saturday’s Class 2 Beas River Handicap is a Class 2 over 2000 metres with Cordyceps and Classic Beauty expected to set a good pace from their inside barriers. There are many chances in the field of 13, particularly among the horses down in the handicap.
Chefano, in cheekpieces in above photo, has finished second in three of his four starts this year and looks like a horse well suited to get the trip. He should be slightly worse than midfield and will get every chance from a better barrier. Moreira takes the ride at his bottom weight and I make Chefano a win and place chance.
Tianchi Monster is proven over the course and distance. He will do his running from the back and is a place chance along with Helene Leadingstar. High Rev has enjoyed most of his success at Happy Valley but is well drawn and in with a light weight. He too is a place chance along with Savvy Six, who also enters the race in top form.
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