3 minute read

Apprentice jockey Angus Chung credits the support he has received from SA’s senior jockeys for his improvement in recent months which has resulted in his approval to ride at metropolitan grade race meetings from this week.

Chung has four rides at Morphettville on Saturday after getting the tick off from Racing SA Stewards to step-up, approximately 10 months after his first race ride at Gawler in February.

The 25-year-old from Hong Kong joined the SA Apprentice Academy in December 2019 as part of the school's longstanding relationship with Hong Kong Jockey Club which places its apprentices in SA to learn and refine their riding.

In addition to the training he has received since joining the Academy, Chung said local hoops Paul Gatt, Ryan Hurdle, Todd Pannell, Barend Vorster and Karl Zechner, among others, had been supportive in helping him to refine his craft.

"My time in Adelaide and with the Apprentice Academy has been fantastic. There are many senior jockeys here who help with advice after races, they provide me with very good feedback which helps me to improve quickly," Chung said.

"If I have any questions, they're always happy to share their knowledge and experience with me.

"Also Richard and Chantelle Jolly, Kristi Evans, my boss Jon O'Connor and John Dunn all have given me lots of opportunities which I really appreciate."

Chung is approaching Saturday's step up to metropolitan grade just like any other race day.

"I'm excited, but I'm trying not to get too excited and just treat it like a normal meeting," he said.

"It's the same trainers and jockeys, so I'm trying to approach it in the same way even though a few more people will be watching.

"I'm just focused on getting the horses in the right position to get the best result.

"I know my family will be watching – my parents in Hong Kong they always watch through Racing.com."

The young hoop is eager to emulate the success of fellow apprentice Ben Price, who has ridden 14 winners since stepping up to the metropolitan grade in August.

"I'm good friends with Ben and also Ellis Wong who is also from Hong Kong. Ben's going very well at the moment, I want to follow in his footsteps and try to give him a challenge. I'm looking forward to that," he said.

"I'd like to get a metro winner – I'll focus on that first and take it step-by-step."

Chung only gained an interest in riding four years ago at the age of 21 when he came into contact with horses for the first time.

"I'm always looking to challenge myself and I decided to try riding through a stable course and I found I loved it," he said.

"I loved the feeling of being on a horse at speed and from then I decided I wanted to be a jockey."