It’s all about timing and with Golden Sixty about to make its debut for the season, it really is time for those whose job is to promote horse racing in Hong Kong to change the narrative and look at getting behind the team behind the galloper- Jockey Vincent CY Ho and Trainer Francis KW Lui.
I remember interviewing Vincent when an apprentice for Caspar Fownes, who has always supported the rider. He’s confident in himself to show man love. He can also quash you like a pea if there’s the slightest sign of disloyalty.
I found Vincent to be quiet and unassuming. And why not? He was an unproven commodity and a work in progress.
Though maturing into a very good jockey, perhaps his “brand” has been lumbered by the “local” tag?
Perhaps he sometimes tries too hard to be like his idol Ryan Moore, who’s not exactly known for sweeping gestures like hugging people and hugging trees and blowing air kisses?
There was the time when Golden Sixty was surprisingly beaten, and the usual suspects who see themselves in charge of the holy grail of global horse racing wondered quite loudly about the talents of this relatively unknown Chinese rider named Vincent Ho.
It was knee jerk reaction, ignorance mixed with arrogance and the tall poppy syndrome. It’s something not exactly new to the old school world of horse racing.
Instead of these frequent brain freeze moments by the racing media, shouldn’t they be looking at finding the emotional attachment to stories that give those looking at the “psychology” and entertainment value of horses and jockeys competing on a racetrack, a compelling reason to see what “membership to the old club” might be like?
Perhaps this is why, I appreciate the British racing personality Matt Chapman. He’s entertaining, he’s ageless, he’s provocatively entertaining, and just good opinionated fun.
What is wrong with having an opinion and swimming against the tide? So was gonzo journalist Dr Hunter S.Thompson.
He didn’t do too badly by changing the face of Rock and socio- political journalism forever.
As for Matt Chapman, he has done much to promote Vincent Ho whenever he’s ridden in the UK.
In Hong Kong, his old boss “Casibah” is always there singing his praises whereas it’s no secret that no less than Ryan Moore has been very impressed with this Hong Kong born talent.
This season, and perhaps after his working holiday riding in Japan, Vincent sees whatever competition there might be out there, and is riding with greater confidence.
He’s also showing everyone that he’s no one trick pony- and that his riding repertoire is hardly limited.
On Wednesday night at Happy Valley Racecourse and another serving of eight ho hum races, it was Vincent Ho’s ride on the Francis Lui trained Gold Gold Baby that woke up television viewers with their sets tuned to the races.
His winning ride in the last on another Francis Lui runner- Gallant Waking- was also a Wake Up call that this rider deserves far more credit and perhaps even motivation than what’s been coming his way.
With a personal waning interest in horse racing these days, though always interested in looking at what this pastime might be missing and how it can shed its gambling albatross and be seen as a legitimate sport, in this city, the Made In Hong Kong brand has become increasingly important. It’s very probably all the dim sum and then sum we have.
This is why excellent riding talent like Vincent Ho, Matthew Chadwick, Derek Leung, Jerry Chau, and, perhaps, that often frenetic and Whippersnapper that’s “The Poon Train”-he needs to curb that need to go whip crazy- need some extra or different TLC when it comes to marketing, promotions, advertising and a truly unique creative product.
These, by the way, are four very different and separate things that when successfully and strategically brought together are unbeatable.
Perhaps part of the problem- and solution-starts here- understanding the difference between each of the parts that are the sum of the whole?
This understanding and the results just might come from a new racing media and entertainment landscape beholden to no one- and one that might just shock and awe and surprise many into reality.
It’s time for there to be a landscape that’s driven with an exciting indie spirit like a Tarantino movie on cocoa leaves, where the only rule is that there are no rules.
This needs to be led by experienced, street smart and intuitive game changers with that sixth sense to see dead people, seize the day, communicate directly with today’s consumers, understand them better and make things come alive by pressing that refresh button.
Never be afraid to say what’s on your mind.
Chicks dig it.
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