Prebble and Smith get tickets to ride

Irishman Wayne Smith, who is taking Macau by storm, emerged as the wildcard when the Jockey Club announced the last two riding licences for the first chapter of the 2003-04 season yesterday.

As expected in the wake of his win on Precision in the Champions & Chater Cup on June 1, two-time Melbourne champion Brett Prebble has received the nod for the other brief. The licences are valid until December 14.

'Marvellous, I'm absolutely thrilled,' Smith said yesterday. 'I put in an application and naturally I was hopeful, but to be honest, getting the green light today was totally unexpected.'

Smith, 32, has been riding in Macau for three weeks and has landed seven winners from a mere 34 rides. He has not ridden in Hong Kong as a senior rider but is no stranger to the place. 'I came here as part of an apprentice exchange programme nine years ago,' Smith said. 'I had nine rides during my stay and managed to ride two winners, at Happy Valley and Sha Tin.'

Smith has ridden for the past six seasons in Dubai, his biggest win being the US$2 million UAE Derby on March 29 this year, on South African three-year-old Victory Moon.

'I'll be here [Macau] for a little while longer but I'm committed to go to England to ride Victory Moon for Mike de Kock in the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on July 5,' he said.