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Simon Kok Wei Hoong is still pinching himself when he looks back at his breakout season in 2019.

After a rookie season full of promise in 2018, the Ipoh-born rider lived up to the new 'rising star' tag with a Singapore champion apprentice jockey title all but wrapped up at his sophomore year. The dream run doesn't stop there: He will now get a chance to ride for leading trainers David Hayes & Tom Dabernig in Melbourne during the December break.

This is actually his second learning experience in Australia as he went for a similar stint in Tasmania last December. This time around, he is selected as the Singapore representative to launch the new exchange programme between Singapore Turf Club and Racing Victoria.

Jessica Eaton was the Melbourne counterpart to ride at Kranji recently, landing two winners (Snip and Always Innocent) in two weeks (cut short by one week through a careless riding suspension on Dinghu Mountain).

The only blemish to Kok's wonder year was three back-to-back suspensions for careless riding which have sidelined him for nine meetings until November 29. He will actually not be seen race-riding at Kranji again this year as he will also miss out on the last three Kranji meetings given he is booked to fly out next Friday with Singapore Turf Club riding coach Matthew Pumpa once his visa is approved.

"Matt and I are planning to leave on the last week of November, most probably next Friday (November 29) once my visa is approved," said the 24-year-old rider.

"I don't know David Hayes or Tom Dabernig personally, but Michael Rodd and Vlad Duric told me that they are good trainers, and that their farms (Lindsay Park) are huge and beautiful!"

In Tasmania, Kok spent three months with trainers Leon, Dean & Trent Wells, riding at four racetracks (Elwick, Launceston, Devonport and Longford) and won four races.

Given the much shorter riding stint this time and the stronger competition in Victoria, Kok said that his previous experience in Tasmania would come in handy.

"Yes, it will be even tougher riding at different racetracks in Victoria, as there are more jockeys and apprentices around, but I will do my best with every ride," said Kok.

"I learned a lot from the riding master Stephen Maskiell back in Tasmania, and the exposure to the different tracks has improved my skills as a rider.

"I also want to take in as much this time, get as much racing experience as possible, and most importantly, be safe.

"I do have some friends there, like Jason Maskiell, Stephen's son whom I knew from Tasmania, Stephanie Thornton, Ben Allen. They are all very friendly and helpful.

"The thought of a chance to maybe ride against top jockeys like Craig Williams, Damian Lane and Maskiell makes me excited. Hopefully, I can ride a winner too."

After finishing fourth on 16 winners at his Singapore debut in January last year, Kok, who first honed his craft as a dressage and showjumping rider at the Ipoh riding club, made the 2019 Singapore season his own.

Despite a late start in mid-April after recovering from an ankle injury sustained from a race fall in Tasmania, Kok made ground in double-quick time.

He scooped up 35 winners in about six months, including a first Group race win atop Star Emperor in the Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) in July, and has kept drawing clear at the top of the log from a long way out.

Fellow Malaysian rider Shafrizal Saleh is now 22 winners away in second place. Unless he rides four to five winners each at the remaining five meetings, the fight for champion apprentice jockey is as good as over.

"I think I made a very good improvement from last year," said Kok.

"I am very grateful to the support I get from many trainers here, and also to have the chance to ride in Tasmania.

"Even though I don't get to ride trackwork for other trainers, I would always go through the race videos and talk to their riders to get to know the horses better before races.

"Going to apprentice jockeys' school to attend lessons conducted by Matt every Wednesday afternoon is beneficial too."

With a total of 51 winners (in Singapore) under the belt, the two-kilo claiming rider aims to keep improving his skills and overall performance next year.

"I should be back a day or two before the new season starts. The boss (Steven Burridge) said he's got a few good rides for me on the first race meeting (New Year Cup meeting) next year," said Kok who is relicensed for a whole year in 2020.

"I hope I can get my next 29 winners soon and further reduce my claim to one-kilo.

"Of course, there is a bit of worry there, because claiming one kilo is not a big difference from a senior rider, but I hope I can put what I learned in Tasmania and the coming Melbourne stint to good use, and work hard to keep the support coming."