In a season where compelling storylines have been abundant, the underlying themes of resilience and enterprise continue to dominate as a memorable 2020/21 Hong Kong season draws to a close.
If the successful staging of truly international competition at Sha Tin in December and April provided scores of highlights with the successful adherence to world-class biosecurity protocols to protect all participants from COVID-19, another equally potent aspect of the current term has been the continued emergence and performance of our homegrown trainers and
jockeys.
The long-term presence in Hong Kong of decorated, elite performers such as John Size has brought world-class expertise to our training ranks and it has been gratifying to again watch Frankie Lor – one of John’s proteges – and Francis Lui, Danny Shum – who was groomed by Ivan Allan – and Tony Cruz, among others, again match strides with the expatriates.
Caspar Fownes, who is well positioned to win a fourth trainers’ championship, learnt his craft from his father Laurie, an expatriate who also excelled in Hong Kong with success at the highest level as a trainer.
Similarly, while Joao Moreira, Zac Purton, Karis Teetan and Alexis Badel feature heavily in the top echelon of the jockeys’ championship, the performances of Vincent Ho, Jerry Chau, Derek Leung, Matthew Poon and Matthew Chadwick is the source of much pride.
The development of local talent owes much to the impact of the accomplished horsemen who have chosen to make this incredibly
dynamic city home. It is clearly to Hong Kong racing’s benefit – and has been for several decades – that homegrown jockeys and trainers are able to soak up knowledge from people such as John, Joao and Zac.
For me, this cosmopolitan blend is what makes Hong Kong the perfect melting pot in the Club’s stated aim of presenting world-class racing at every opportunity. In many ways, there is no better example of the development cross-pollination than the pairing of 13-time champion jockey Douglas Whyte and 21-year-old Jerry Chau as master and apprentice.
It goes without saying, Jerry has the advantage of learning from one of the sport’s greatest jockeys and his double last Sunday at Sha Tin was evidence of his accelerating progression under Douglas’ tutelage.
The Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School has proven also to be a fabulous resource for ambitious youth wanting to forge careers in racing with a broad curriculum that provides pathways across several different pursuits and caters to diverse interests.
While Joao has been crowned champion jockey for the fourth time as Zac prepares to compete at his final meeting of the season at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (7 July) before starting a suspension, Jerry has a real chance of catching Vincent in the race for the Tony Cruz Award, which is presented to the most successful homegrown jockey.
It is incredible to think that Jerry, an apprentice in his first full Hong Kong season, could potentially deny an established world-class rider such as Vincent, who not only has ridden five G1s this season, but also jointly led the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey with Ryan Moore.
The Sauternes Cup is a Class 4 handicap over 1000 metres and is featured as the fifth of nine races on our Wednesday night meeting at Happy Valley. Amazing Rocky will need to overcome top weight and an outside draw as he seeks a repeat win over the course and distance under Zac Purton. He will push forward along with Packing Champion (Jerry Chau) and Sea Elite (Tony Piccone) to make the running.
In his last-start win, Amazing Rocky had the inside draw and used it to his advantage to get to the front and had the race wrapped up with 100 metres to run. He will need to work much harder this time but is in top form and is a place chance.
Faribault looks like an improving type after a big closing sectional at his last start two weeks ago. He went back from a wide draw and finished the race off strongly. Karis Teetan has the ride and Faribault will get a much better trip from slightly worse than midfield behind a good pace. He is a win and place chance.
Party Warrior makes the second start of his career after a promising debut when he closed ground to get within a length of Amazing Rocky. Vincent Ho has the ride and I make Party Warrior a place chance, along course and distance specialist Oversubscribed (Blake Shinn).
Comment
