CHAMPION jockey Tony Cruz will end his glittering 22-year career in the saddle early next year if the Licensing Committee of the Jockey Club next month approve his application to train next season.
Earlier this month, the Licensing Committee called for local applicants to fill the position to be vacated at the end of this season by Australian Neville Begg and Cruz has put forward his name.
The decision comes as no surprise to those closest to Hong Kong's greatest jockey who has fought recurring pain from a neck injury over the past few seasons. Cruz was reluctant to comment but made the decision to seek a trainer's licence after talks with his wife and members of his immediate family.
He had said several times that it was his ultimate intention when giving up riding to train and the first step towards that objective has now been taken.
Senior management of the Jockey Club will put forward their recommendations to the Licensing Committee and the enormous service that Cruz has done to Hong Kong racing both at home and overseas will weigh heavily in his favour.
A senior Jockey Club official said: 'The Licensing Committee will decide on a management recommendation sometime in the middle of December but not before that.' Other applicants for the position include three recently retired local jockeys but none enjoys anything approaching the status of Cruz who became Hong Kong's roving racing ambassador midway through a glittering career that has brought him six championships and wins in every major race on the local calendar and numerous Group events overseas.
