JOHN MOORE
Once known as the “brother of Gary Moore” who was Hong Kong’s Champion Jockey for many seasons before being involved in a high-profile betting scandal. Today, while Gary Moore has been reduced to training horses in Macau, John Moore, the eldest son of the legendary Australian jockey George Moore, is Hong Kong’s champion trainer.
We don’t see him winning the Trainers Championship this year, but Moore already seems to have his eyes set on winning the big Cup races and with the most amount of prize money. His yard is quickly filling up with quality multi-million dollars equine stars, especially from the UK and Europe.
Seems to save his winners- and horses- for Shatin
TONY CRUZ
Former Champion Jockey-turned Champion Trainer and was just pipped on the post by John Moore to win last season’s trainer’s title. Like Moore, we don’t expect Cruz Control to be in full gear this new season and expect him to be around fourth or fifth.
Tough to follow his stable when he enters more than two of his horses in one race. You are almost FORCED to back both.
Does best with his horses at Shatin, especially when ridden by long-time bon ami Gerard Mosse though Matthew Chadwick will always chime in with his usual quota of winners.
JOHN SIZE
Great trainer and is a lethal combination when combining with jockey Douglas Whyte.
We’re tipping Size to get off to a flier this season and set to go very close to winning the Trainers Championship. His main rival? Caspar Fownes.
Strikes regularly at Shatin but sneaks a few through at Happy Valley.
CASPAR FOWNES
Been in Hong Kong since he was 13, comes from a racing family and the only trainer one can follow with equal confidence in Shatin and, especially, Happy Valley.
Does best when Vincent CY Ho and Brett Prebble are on his horses and is set to have a very BIG season.
TONY MILLARD
Underrated trainer from South Africa who used 2010-2011 season to make himself well and truly known. Turns out horses looking impeccable and uses jockeys wisely. Can follow with confidence in Shatin or Happy Valley.
DENNIS, C. H. YIP
Former Hong Kong jockey turned trainer. Protégé and Assistant Trainer to the legendary Hong Kong trainer Brian Kan who was known as “The Cups King”.
Must follow when he uses Douglas Whyte on his horses with the combination having a strike rate in 2010/11 which included 21% wins / 29% placings.
Also uses Brett Prebble and with both jockeys seemingly happy to be on his horses.
If there is a sudden huge chunk of money on any of his 3-5 minutes before the start of a race- rush to the Betting window. These big punts usually come off.
RICKY P.F. YIU
Another former average jockey turned trainer. One of the longest serving and consistent local trainers, who started training during the 1995/96 season.
Known for training former Hong Kong Champion galloper Fairy King Prawn and also Sacred Kingdom, the record-breaking four-time Champion Sprinter of Hong Kong.
Not really an “odds” trainer. If the horse is good, it wins though in recent times, a few have of his favourites have bit the dust.
Take away his champion horses, his is a hard stable to follow with much confidence and with Yiu seldom- or never- opting to put Champion Jockey Douglas Whyte on his horses.
“ME” Y.S. TSUI
Another former Hong Kong jockey who has worked up the Assistant Trainer ranks and gained his full trainer’s license in 2005/6. Tsui has quickly established his stable to be one of the most respected and feared in Hong Kong racing as so may of his horses sneak through at very good odds.
Expect strong performances when his runners are ridden by either Zac Purton or Brett Prebble