No one is saying that it’s going to be easy, but if the HKJC is serious about creating a level playing field, or at least giving new riders whose mother tongue isn’t English, let alone Cantonese, a fighting chance to be in the game, there really has to be some new ways of looking at things.
There’s a reason why foreign jockeys have to sit for very tough exams in Japan. They need to understand, speak and read Japanese, which they need to pass before being granted a full-time license to ride in that country.
For those riders hanging by their teeth in the lower rungs to stay in Hong Kong, we’re not talking about how, towards the end of the Whyte-Size Years, the red carpet was quietly and magically rolled out for Joao Moreira. This was needed.
After all, the rider is a brand. And Hong Kong racing needed him because Douglas Whyte was going to be a hard act to follow.
The story goes that the charismatic Brazilian horseman was, apparently, also given the Club’s Jerry Greene to help ensure that the Magic Man’s arrival in Hong Kong didn’t lose any chihuahuas and rabbits along the way.
We’re talking about opportunities for new riders, at least in those low grade races, and where they are given a certain “quota” of winnable rides.
If they’re not good enough to win at least a couple of these races, why are they even here?
If, for example, Ruan Maia has one of the best winning strike rates, it must be crushingly demotivating for the talented Brazilian rider to sit out tonight’s races without even one ride. Not. One. Ride.
This is his reward for beating the odds and riding four winners and quite a few placings at usually big odds from a handful of rides?
At other meetings, he’s thrown the crumbs and makes the most out of them by at least running into a placing on them.
The successful Brazilian rider can’t be left on his own and expected to walk on water while negotiating for rides in Cantonese with local owners and trainers while working on The Art Of The Deal.
Ruan Maia is also not as “nimble” as now retired local riders Alvin Ng and Ben So, who might not have been the most successful jockeys in Hong Kong, but there they are today driving Ferraris and leading five star lifestyles.
At least, John Size has thrown lightweight rider and the rather average Vagner Borges a lifeline with a few rides that have had real chances. To his credit, he has made the most of these opportunities.
Hong Kong born Jerry Chau hit the ground running when indentured to the stable of Douglas Whyte.
He’s made the most of this tremendously important stepping stone, has become a much improved and mature rider and has not looked back.
At the other end of the spectrum are those riders going around on no-hopers waiting for a class drop- Victor Wong, Jack Wong, Alfred Chan, Dylan Mo and surely about to sing, “Happy Trails”- Alex Lai.
Harry Bentley? Tony Piccone? Well...
One has to wonder how Lyle Hewitson will fare this time around. We wish him nothing but the best. At least he can speak English which counts for much.
As for tonight’s racing, unlike Sunday at Shatin, there won’t be ladies wearing cakes on their heads.
Tonight is your average Wednesday night racing with those Happy Wednesday nights at Happy Valley still muted due to the government’s stringent social distancing laws that have really robbed this city of good times- and its international image.
Gawd, how we miss those gorgeous French girls who were Happy Wednesday regulars. Merde.
Tips? If we must, we always give the first few races a wide berth- low class races for the rank and file punter armed with fried chicken wings and something for Hong Kong’s racing uncles who are now grandfathers.
RACE 4
The first leg of the 6up, and as we have been saying for three years, for some odd reason, the favourite very very seldom salutes. This time around, things might change, but we’re not holding our collective breaths.
RACE 5
Speaking to one of the Three Amigos about the chances of his ride Infinity Win (1), one almost expected race jockey Blake Shinn to burst with enthusiasm. The runner has to go in along with Amigo Giggle (4) as the main chances.
RACE 6
Sight Success (2)
Igniting (4)
Ka Ying Master (3)
Drops Of God (6)
RACE 7
Durham Star (8)
Red Majesty (3)
Viva Popcorn (12)
Breeze Of Spring (7)
RACE 8
We don’t see Scores Of Fun (1) winning whereas favourite Family Folks (4) could win though offering no value to Six Up and Treble players. Suggested is looking outside of the square and keeping things round and chubby.
RACE 9
Formerly with trainer Bjorn Baker when in Australia and won at a tight track like Gosford, so Sergeant Pepper (8) should continue to enjoy racing at Happy Valley. A good debut at his last start and has the Karismatuc One aboard again and whose wood is always on fire.
Sergeant Pepper (8)
Diamond Brilliant (2)
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