It’s thrilling to watch the way the German national team played when they were up against the Netherlands in their second Euro group match on Tuesday, as all the players showed massive improvement in sharpness and work rate when compared to their performances in the first match. It was noticeable that all the players, both young emerging talents and established veterans, worked together as a team to achieve this improvement. They have now overcome the strong tests from Portugal and Holland and I hope they will do the same when facing Denmark in their last group match tomorrow night.
As we edge close to the end of the current racing season, I’m pleased to see that some of our young local jockeys have delivered great results in recent meetings. Topping them all is certainly Keith Yeung as he racked up a combined total of four winners from the Sha Tin race meeting last Saturday and at Happy Valley on Wednesday, and was crowned the winner of the Jockey Challenge on both occasions. Alongside Keith, apprentice jockey Alvin Ng has also achieved some great results, riding a hat-trick of wins at Sha Tin a fortnight ago.
Professional athletes learn and gain experience over time as a result of intensive training, contesting tournaments and competing in races. In his book Outliers, author Malcolm Gladwell talks about the 10,000 hour rule. His assertion is that in order to be thoroughly expert at a certain thing, whether football, playing the piano or riding racehorses, for example, an individual requires a certain amount of time dedicated to gaining experience in that field of endeavour – 10,000 hours being the magic number.
I am no expert on Gladwell’s theory, but it is common sense that the old adage “Practice makes perfect” holds a large element of truth. Our young local jockeys and apprentices are no different and the Club has ensured that they have received many learning opportunities in recent years. Not only have they benefited from excellent training to prepare them for race-riding, and enjoyed considerable riding support and opportunities in local races, a few of them have also had the chance to take part in major overseas races and international apprentice jockeys invitation competitions, and so accumulate race experiences overseas. I believe these opportunities are important for their career development.
Occasionally, an apprentice will hit a hot streak early in his career and notch up winners quickly and consistently. This usually comes about due to the rider’s natural ability and weight allowances, combined with a bit of luck in some circumstances. On the other side, these less experienced riders might also make mistakes and this is a natural part of their learning curve. What is important is that they learn from these mistakes and further improve themselves so as to make the grade as fully-fledged jockeys.
Here at the Club, we are always looking to help our apprentices learn and develop into accomplished jockeys. It is our usual practice that our Stipendiary Stewards and Apprentice Jockeys’ School jointly arrange monthly patrol video review sessions for our apprentices, so as to give them a chance to recap something they may need to improve or change in their race-riding. If any apprentice jockey commits careless riding in races, we will also invite our senior jockeys to give advice to the apprentice. This helps them to improve and learn from the first-hand experiences of seasoned professionals. Since last season we have taken this a step further, as we have invited a few seasoned jockeys to act as special mentors to particular apprentice riders by giving them advice on their skills and to develop a stronger mentality in races that will improve their riding and jockeyship.
Keith Yeung had received guidance from Douglas Whyte before he graduated from his apprenticeship earlier this season. He has shown the same competitiveness and dedication after graduation as he has amassed his career best 36 winners so far this season, and is now ranking 6th in the Jockeys’ Premiership. With Alvin also setting to receive guidance from Zac Purton later on, I believe this would help our young local jockeys’ future development and their capability of grabbing winning opportunities when they come along.
Keith will also have the chance to strive for more top honours as he’s booked to ride Flying Blue in the HKG3 Prince Jewellery & Watch Premier Cup – our final pattern race of the season. In this 1400m handicap event, it has attracted a tremendous quality of horses and has the quality of an International Group 1 race ran under handicap conditions. One of the reasons why horses like Xtension and Sweet Orange are running is likely to do with the fact that they have not been gelded and as entires, it needs more exercises to manage them. The pace is expected to be good to fast which should help horses coming from the back. Strong pacesetters Aashiq, Leading City and Beauty Flash are going to ensure the faster pace with Captain Sweet, Flying Blue, Sweet Orange and Supreme Win being well placed. Xtension should be well placed in midfield and Admiration may be eased to the back to avoid racing wide.
Xtension has to carry the top weight of 133 pounds and the 1400m is for him on the short side, which makes him for me only a contender for a place. Leading City on his favourite distance should not be underestimated but he had a little setback which makes him a place chance only. Captain Sweet is working well and being well placed has a place chance too. Sweet Orange is working very well and has been freshened up. Receiving nine pounds from Xtension and six pounds weight from a horse like Admiration, his capability of running sensational and lightning quick fractions at the end of the race gives him an extra strength. It makes him a good win and place chance for me, with Admiration coming to challenge him from the back. An outsider who can ride on advantage from his light weight is Fat Choy Oohlala.
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