Last season's Most Popular Jockey Kei Chiong claimed her 45th Hong Kong win and lost her seven-pound claim in the process with a stellar front-running victory on Packing Dragon in a dramatic Class 3 Sutherland Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley tonight (Wednesday, 9 November).
Chiong led her rivals a merry dance on Ricky Yiu-trained Packing Dragon (126lb), who was coming off a win at the city track's day meeting on 30 October. She controlled the tempo out in front, setting steady sectionals before utilising the advantage of her claim by upping the tempo at the 600 metres and making it difficult for her opponents to catch her, as Yiu had instructed pre-race.
"I told her, don't push him in the early stages, the horse is well enough that he should do it for you," Yiu said. "He is a bit of a plodder but he had a better gate today than he had at his last couple. She followed the plan perfectly."
Packing Dragon's win brought up victory 45 for Chiong since she made her Hong Kong debut in September last year, meaning that from Saturday's Sha Tin meeting, she will now only receive a five-pound allowance on her rides. This will remain until she reaches 70 wins, when her claim will reduce further to three pounds.
"It's exciting, but I know I will now have to try harder to get more winners," Chiong said. "I am working hard now, but I am always trying to improve more and now I will have to try even harder." -HKJC
Chiong led her rivals a merry dance on Ricky Yiu-trained Packing Dragon (126lb), who was coming off a win at the city track's day meeting on 30 October. She controlled the tempo out in front, setting steady sectionals before utilising the advantage of her claim by upping the tempo at the 600 metres and making it difficult for her opponents to catch her, as Yiu had instructed pre-race.
"I told her, don't push him in the early stages, the horse is well enough that he should do it for you," Yiu said. "He is a bit of a plodder but he had a better gate today than he had at his last couple. She followed the plan perfectly."
Packing Dragon's win brought up victory 45 for Chiong since she made her Hong Kong debut in September last year, meaning that from Saturday's Sha Tin meeting, she will now only receive a five-pound allowance on her rides. This will remain until she reaches 70 wins, when her claim will reduce further to three pounds.
"It's exciting, but I know I will now have to try harder to get more winners," Chiong said. "I am working hard now, but I am always trying to improve more and now I will have to try even harder." -HKJC