While most jockeys will be looking forward to some "R and R" during the upcoming break, Derek Leung Ka-chun will be one of three young local riders to broaden their skills and experience overseas, the in-form jockey taking up an off-season stint with renowned hard taskmaster Gai Waterhouse.
Leung is finishing the season with a flourish and after a double for John Moore that took him to 18 wins for the term, he is looking to his tenure with the leading Sydney trainer.
"He can expect to work hard - there's a lot of horses there and he will be busy at the track," Moore said after Leung turned around the form of outsiders Kynam and Sunny Fay, part of a four-timer for the stable.
"Derek has a knack of getting the most out of horses - they seem to run for him. I'm sure he will handle things well in Australia, he has a tremendous work ethic, but the main thing is that he will come back a better jockey."
While Leung will work with Waterhouse for a month from mid-July, Alvin Ng Ka-chun will head to the Newmarket base of Ed Dunlop during the break and Vincent Ho Chak-yiu will ride on a freelance basis at Chantilly in France.
Jockey Club head of racing Bill Nader said the overseas postings were a chance for the young riders to build confidence and experience away from the pressure packed racing at Sha Tin and Happy Valley.
"We've made a substantial investment in their education as apprentices and this is like their graduate school," Nader said. "They only ride at two tracks here, so this will broaden their experience and give them a wider view of what racing is all about."
Leung met Waterhouse for lunch last week and they were joined by her stable jockey Tommy Berry.
"She said she will give me support, but I can ride for other stables as well," Leung said. "I can't wait, it's just about doing something different for me."
Berry will be back at Randwick for the latter part of Leung's stay and said being away from his home environment should toughen the 25-year-old.
"It's a lot different to here, in both trackwork and on raceday - everything is kind of handed to you here in Hong Kong," Berry said. "Gai has got a great team and Derek will fit in well, but I think what he will learn most is how good he has got it here."
