Vincent Ho has endured a difficult past 12 months but the affable homegrown jockey is eager to rebound this season.
Two falls interrupted Ho’s 2023/24 campaign in Hong Kong – a mishap in Japan which fractured his spine and then a second at Sha Tin. Ho finished with a creditable 41 wins, well below the 96 he rode in 2022/23, which netted staggering earnings of HK$160.2 million. It was also the first time since 2017/18 that Ho has dipped below the 50-win mark in a season.
Ho only had 355 starts last term. Since 2012/13, he has never had less than 400 mounts, although victories in the 2023 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship and 2023 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) would have sweetened a challenging stretch.
“I’m definitely targeting more improvement than last season, which wasn’t an easy season, but that’s the risk we take as jockeys. I’m always looking to do the best I can,” Ho said.
Ho relished another experience-building offseason in Europe and Japan, honing his craft at a range of overseas arenas such as Goodwood, Pontefract, Dusseldorf and Sapporo.
“There’s always more to be learnt when it comes to riding horses. Riding overseas is very different to here, even the routine and racing environment. I had a good experience, lots of driving which was pretty tiring but it was great,” Ho said.
Ho receives strong support from two powerful stables in Hong Kong, Francis Lui and Caspar Fownes, although the 34-year-old feels a title push is a few seasons away.
“Hopefully one day. It’s not easy and you need almost every stable over the season supporting you, which is very difficult,” Ho said.
Ho also won two Group 3 races aboard Galaxy Patch last season. The Pierre Ng-trained galloper placed at Group 1 level over 1400m and was second in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) across an impressive debut campaign.
“He’s very exciting, an improving horse and he’s still young. He’s one of the top horses here, so it doesn’t matter if it’s over a mile, 1800 or 2000 metres – he can still perform,” he said.
Ho takes five mounts as racing resumes at Happy Valley on Wednesday (11 September), including Aurora Lady (128lb) for Ng in the second section of the Class 4 Shek O Handicap (1200m).
“He’s a nice ride. He showed potential last season,” he said.
Aurora Lady faces unbeaten four-year-old Packing Power (135lb), who lines up with an in-form Zac Purton for trainer Danny Shum.
“He (Packing Power) looks as if he’s come on a little bit in the offseason, his trial at Conghua was nice, but he’s going to have to get the start right to give himself a chance,” Purton said.
Ho also rides Super Sixty in the Class 4 Kiu Tsui Handicap (1000m) at the city circuit for Fownes, as well as Sixth Generation, Matsu Victor and Golden Empire.
“He (Super Sixty) still needs to mature more and hopefully the break has helped him. He’s got ability,” Ho said.
Mark Newnham has two wins from his first four runners this season. The trainer attributes corrective surgery to Scotch Tycoon’s recent flurry of top-three efforts. The bay contests the first section of the Class 4 Shek O Handicap (1200m) tomorrow from gate one.
“Since he had the epiglottic entrapment surgery he has come right back to form. He ran behind a couple of really promising horses (last season), so he’s prepared well for this season, he’s trialled a couple of times and he’s come up with gate one,” Newnham said.
Derek Leung chases a first win this term after two seconds on Sunday (8 September), linking with Romantic Laos in the Class 3 Hoi Mei Handicap (1650m) for trainer Cody Mo.
“The horse is very honest and he keeps fighting. He only had a small break during the offseason, so he won’t lose his form too much,” Leung said.
Straight Arron trialled at Sha Tin for Ricky Yiu this morning (Tuesday, 10 September).
“That was a pretty good trial. He jumped well and kept improving. He was outside and avoiding the kickback but he was closing in the finish – good signs,” Yiu said.
Yiu saddles four horses at the Valley tomorrow night, including Sweet Diamond in the Kiu Tsui Handicap.
“He’s drawn well (barrier one) and is slowly improving. He’s a seven-year-old now and with a good draw, I think he’ll be competitive, especially at Happy Valley,” Yiu said.
Wednesday’s (11 September) eight-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 7.10pm with the Class 5 Chung Hom Kok Handicap (1200m).
By Declan Schuster
