Nearly all the races in Hong Kong are handicaps and there can be as much as a 20-pound weight spread in each race. As horses do well and move up in class, they have to face better company but usually get in light. Weight is a gigantic handicapping factor.
When you examine past performances, the weight assigned is accurate unless an apprentice rider is in it. The apprentice allowance claim ranges from 10 pounds to two pounds. The newest riders to Hong Kong start out with a 10-pound allowance claim but the fact that they are new to Hong Kong does not mean they are new to horse racing.
The Hong Kong Apprentice Jockey School has been developing young riding talent for 50 years. (To read more about it click here.) They identify young riders, school them and then the best ones get their chance to race overseas. If successful, they can be invited back and participate in Hong Kong racing.
Unlike apprentice riders in America, who are truly beginning their career and thus lack experience, the apprentice riders in Hong Kong have the benefit of having proven themselves overseas. Victor Wong had 1,091 starts and won 120 races before coming back to Hong Kong; Jerry Chau had 547 rides and 77 wins.
To start off, new riders to Hong Kong receive a 10-pound allowance claim until they win 20 races. They then receive seven pounds for their next 25 wins and five pounds for their next 50 wins. After they win 95 races, their mounts will still receive two pounds.
The latest apprentice rider to make the grade is 26-year-old Angus Chung. He has been allocated to Tony Cruz after riding in south Australia where he won 76 races from 689 rides. He gets the full 10-pound claiming allowance and looks to be a major force in the upcoming months.
Under the process of acclimatization, he is riding only races at Sha Tin and Happy Valley barrier trials. When the stewards decide that he has enough experience, he will be allowed to ride the seven-furlong Happy Valley turf course which can be quirky for newcomers. No worries; this young man can ride.
For an example of how well Angus Chung can ride, and how important 10 pounds can matter, go back and watch the replay of race five on Oct. 1 at Sha Tin. In the class 4 Nanning Handicap going 1600 meters, Oscar Glory was assigned 131 pounds. But with Chung riding, he only carried 121. So, instead of being the third highest weighted runner at 131, he was the co-ninth highest weighted runner at 121.
Chung put Oscar Glory on the lead and covered the first 400 meters in only 25.22 seconds. Riding like an experienced veteran, he kept his advantage and began to separate with his second 400 meters run in a faster 23.52 seconds. He cruised around the turn in 22.75 while he rode high in the saddle with his legs apart.
When the expected challenges materialized, he sat down and got to work. What was especially impressive was that his balance never changed when he went to left-hand encouragement. In perfect unison with Oscar Glory, Chung held on by a half-length. Oscar Glory covered his last 1,200 meters in 1:09.61 seconds and even expanded his lead on the gallop out. His final time was .27 seconds faster than standard but his rating only went up five points so at 59, he can face class 4 again.
At his new rating of 59, Oscar Glory will probably be assigned 134 pounds next time out but with Chung aboard, it's almost unfair that he will carry 124 pounds and will get weight from higher-rated rivals. But that is the beauty of the Hong Kong apprentice system. The young riders go overseas to get experience, then come home to favorable circumstances with huge weight advantages.
As bettors, be aware that apprentice jockeys in Hong Kong nullify most of the weight factor in handicapping. When you couple that with a rider of Chung's talent, and the mentorship of Tony Cruz, it can be a winning combination.
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