Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: Ho set to close in on Cruz award with a Rocks victory

IT WAS good to see local jockey Vincent Ho finally lose his claim, when riding his 250th winner, aboard Lucky Hero, at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Ho became an apprentice back in 2009/10, but it’s only in the last couple of seasons that the 28-yearold has really improved his jockeyship skills, and can now hold his own against all the top pilots in Hong Kong.

Currently lying fourth in the jockeys’ championship with 38 winners, he is well on his way to claiming the Tony Cruz award for being top local jockey of the season.

Ho had suffered a bout of seconditis in the last couple of weeks, with six seconds from 16 rides, but with that millstone off his back, he should be back to his confident self again.

The talented youngster has a full book of rides on the Happy Valley eight-race card, but will surely be looking forward to being reunited again with Kay Ying Star in the 3.15pm, and importantly ZHAN JIANG ROCKS in the 3.50pm over the extended mile.

The Chris So-trained four-year-old, with Ho aboard, suffered a horrendous passage down the home straight when they combined three weeks back, finding more dead-ends than in the Hampton Court maze.

The fact they finished fourth, beaten under a length, speaks volumes of how unlucky they were and you can guarantee the jockey will be looking to put the record straight.

This looks a competitive handicap on paper, with the likes of King’s Shield and Amazing Satchmo in opposition, but if Zhan Jiang Rocks gets any luck in running, he will be difficult to beat.

POINTERS

Zhan Jiang Rocks 3.50pm Happy Valley