My Blessing
HKJC
Young apprentice Dylan Mo brought up a significant milestone in his developing career with a double at Wednesday night's (14 June) Happy Valley meeting, signalling the end of the rider's 10-pound allowance and taking him to a new phase as a seven-pound claimer.
Both wins were on New Zealand-bred horses. My Blessing, who is a son of Tavistock, was a $41,000 NZB graduate from the 2014 draft of Cambridge Stud, while Master Viking is a son Mastercraftsman and a $80,000 graduate from Windsor Park Stud's 2013 NZB draft.
Back-to-back wins on Dennis Yip-trained My Blessing in the first section of the Class 4 D'Aguilar Handicap and Tony Millard's Master Viking in the second section of the Class 4 Lyndhurst Handicap took Mo to 20 wins for the season, the point at which his claim reduces from 10 pounds to seven.
Millard in particular has been a supporter of Mo, with the South African trainer providing the 23-year-old rider with his first Happy Valley winner in March and now his 20th winner. The handler was not on course on Wednesday night, but Mo was grateful for his continuing support.
"Thank you to Mr Millard, he's really given me a chance to ride for him on some good horses like Master Viking tonight," Mo said. "Other trainers have given me a chance too, including Mr Yip. I have been very lucky to get some good support, particularly recently."
Mo took time to find his feet upon his return to Hong Kong in September, going winless in 54 rides in 2016. However, the start of 2017 brought more luck as the jockey broke his maiden on New Year's Day, and he has continued to improve since.
At the last six meetings at which Mo has ridden, dating back to 21 May, he has had 38 rides for eight wins, two seconds and six thirds. The young gun believes that his rate of improvement is down to former top rider Felix Coetzee, who has been serving as Chief Riding Instructor for the HKJC's Apprentice Jockeys' School.
"I have been doing a lot of work, a lot of exercises with our riding master Felix Coetzee," Mo said. "I have been listening to him a lot and that has helped me to do my job to the best of my ability. I'm feeling good, confident, and hopefully I can ride more winners.
"Tonight, I was lucky with how the races were run. My Blessing got a good run, I didn't want to go with Joao when he took off, and he fought back so well with the light weight. Master Viking kicked so strongly too, he's a tough horse."
Mo's claim will reduce to seven pounds from Sunday's (18 June) Sha Tin meeting, with the next significant step being a further reduction to five pounds when he makes it to 45 winners. -HKJC
Both wins were on New Zealand-bred horses. My Blessing, who is a son of Tavistock, was a $41,000 NZB graduate from the 2014 draft of Cambridge Stud, while Master Viking is a son Mastercraftsman and a $80,000 graduate from Windsor Park Stud's 2013 NZB draft.
Back-to-back wins on Dennis Yip-trained My Blessing in the first section of the Class 4 D'Aguilar Handicap and Tony Millard's Master Viking in the second section of the Class 4 Lyndhurst Handicap took Mo to 20 wins for the season, the point at which his claim reduces from 10 pounds to seven.
Millard in particular has been a supporter of Mo, with the South African trainer providing the 23-year-old rider with his first Happy Valley winner in March and now his 20th winner. The handler was not on course on Wednesday night, but Mo was grateful for his continuing support.
"Thank you to Mr Millard, he's really given me a chance to ride for him on some good horses like Master Viking tonight," Mo said. "Other trainers have given me a chance too, including Mr Yip. I have been very lucky to get some good support, particularly recently."
Mo took time to find his feet upon his return to Hong Kong in September, going winless in 54 rides in 2016. However, the start of 2017 brought more luck as the jockey broke his maiden on New Year's Day, and he has continued to improve since.
At the last six meetings at which Mo has ridden, dating back to 21 May, he has had 38 rides for eight wins, two seconds and six thirds. The young gun believes that his rate of improvement is down to former top rider Felix Coetzee, who has been serving as Chief Riding Instructor for the HKJC's Apprentice Jockeys' School.
"I have been doing a lot of work, a lot of exercises with our riding master Felix Coetzee," Mo said. "I have been listening to him a lot and that has helped me to do my job to the best of my ability. I'm feeling good, confident, and hopefully I can ride more winners.
"Tonight, I was lucky with how the races were run. My Blessing got a good run, I didn't want to go with Joao when he took off, and he fought back so well with the light weight. Master Viking kicked so strongly too, he's a tough horse."
Mo's claim will reduce to seven pounds from Sunday's (18 June) Sha Tin meeting, with the next significant step being a further reduction to five pounds when he makes it to 45 winners. -HKJC