Schreck's no-nonsense reputation has preceded him to Hong Kong and his career has also been marked by an ability to usually get along well with the media. He has started off in Hong Kong on the right foot - even if he was forced to acknowledge that some of his answers yesterday were probably less than his questioners wanted.

Not surprisingly, given that the Macau Jockey Club has open inquiries, Schreck was pressed as to whether he would like to have Hong Kong's policing open to the media.

'It is not up to me. That is a policy decision taken by individual racing jurisdictions. I have worked with open and closed inquiries but I should also say that I have never hesitated to close an inquiry in certain circumstances.

'But it is not up to me to say or decide whether Hong Kong should have open inquiries,' stressed Schreck, whose early years were spent sheep-shearing in Queensland.

Schreck took on what he described as one of racing's nastier jobs to escape the shearing sheds of outback Australia and his aptitude for stiping has given him a rewarding career which may now end in one of racing's hot-beds, Hong Kong.

'Stipendiary stewarding is not one of the popular jobs in racing. We are there to ensure that racing is clean and that the public get a fair run for their money. It is not a position where you necessarily make a lot of friends,' he said.

'But it is a job that must be done and I have been doing it for a long time. And I will continue to do it in Hong Kong as I have done it in other jurisdictions.' That will mean more open and transparent reports and access between the media and the chief stipe.

It is also likely to mean some hard decisions taken when the new season rolls around. There were plenty of smiles around yesterday but the steel in Schreck's greying hair lurks just behind the eyes as well.

Jockeys and trainers will be left in absolutely no doubt as to their responsibilities - and Schreck is likely to produce a few helpful notes before the new season begins.

'To put it simply, we would be a long way to getting where we want to be if jockeys ride every horse as if it were really fancied - and allow a couple of lengths before they cut across to the inside,' he said.

Schreck noted that the rule which pertains to jockeys taking all permissible measures during a race to ensure the best possible placing had been introduced during his tenure in Sydney - and used, as it has been with some frequency, in Macau.

Some jockeys may also be in for a shock when they are queried before a race start as to how exactly they plan to ride the race.

'That will happen and some of them will come back shouting a bit and none too happy. But we'll do it when we feel it is necessary,' he said.

Given that Schreck has already established a considerable reputation for the strict policing of racing, his ease and openness with the media is not surprising. He speaks with confidence because he has been involved at the highest levels and not dodged issues.

'I can say with my hand on my heart that I will happily explain any decision we have taken to the media and the public at any time. But I will only justify that decision, if required, to my employers, the Hong Kong Jockey Club,' he said.

Engelbrecht-Bresges was sitting beside Schreck as he responded to questions and later described the chief stipe's job in Hong Kong as the 'hottest seat' in racing.

'But I feel with John Schreck that it will be cooled down. When it came to finding a new chief stipendiary steward it was a very, very short list indeed,' said Engelbrecht-Bresges.

You can't get much shorter than one.