Opinion | The last straw for Terry Wong?

Has Terry Wong Chi-wai been riding racehorses this season, or one of those annoying shopping carts you to get at the supermarket, the ones with the wonky front wheels? Sometimes it’s like his mounts are running around with roller skates strapped to their hooves.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with the horse’s sense of direction in most cases and it has been Wong’s navigation that has been under scrutiny by stewards. Last night at Happy Valley he was slapped with another careless riding charge – his seventh of the season – and a three-meeting ban seems like the final blow to his chances of continuing next season.

Wong also rode a much-needed winner, Sea The Pearls for Dennis Yip Chor-hong in a special conditions class three. The special conditions were for struggling horses, not jockeys, but Wong will need all the help he can get if he is to retain a licence.

The 28-year-old was asked to “show cause” prior to last season – following a one-win term – and followed that with a 10-win season. This season, suspensions have stood in the way of any momentum, some stunning lapses in concentration nearly causing falls on a number of occasions.

Sea The Pearls’ victory was Wong’s second winner in 141 rides this season and this latest ban with just 16 meetings remaining leaves him stranded well short of what he would need to justify inclusion on next season’s roster.

Two wins from 141 rides is a terrible strike rate, but what about seven suspensions? That’s some effort, but not a good one.