Advertisement
Advertisement

Yim goes out on a winner in Macau

Champion Hong Kong apprentice Simon Yim missed out in the big races on Macau Apprentice Jockeys Invitation day at Taipa yesterday, but still left the sodden track a winner. Yim scored a bloodless victory in the fifth event on the Lewis Ho-trained 5-2 favourite Full Mark.

'It's been a very enjoyable day and I was delighted to ride a winner. It was very important to me to win a race and it is also good for my fellow apprentices in Hong Kong as well as for Hong Kong racing,' said Yim whose performances were watched by Jockey Club chief executive Lawrence Wong and by the director of racing, Philip Johnston. But Yim had to give up his remaining two mounts. 'I've been feeling a bit sick and thought it was only fair to the connections of both horses,' he explained.

Yim now starts a four-meeting careless riding ban. The main event, the Macau Apprentice Jockeys Invitation Cup, worth a total of $350,000, was won in a canter by Smiley King who was ridden by ace New Zealander Mark Sweeney. Smiley King loved the heavy ground and made every post a winning one under a confident ride.

The $250,000 Macau Apprentice Jockeys Invitation Bowl went to Malaysian claimer, Ronald Benedict Woodworth, on Blazing Courage. Australian jockey John Marshall will arrive in Hong Kong tomorrow to ride until the end of the season and his former retaining trainer, David Hill, has stepped in with the first offer of rides on Saturday, writes Robin Parke. Chief stipendiary steward, Bernard Hargreaves, said last night: 'He is the perfect choice as he knows Hong Kong well and the people involved here know him. He can simply slot in and it will be a big help.'

Post