Hong Kong Racing Form - Racing News Flash

NEWS FLASH ~ Dicky Lui - HKJC's New Apprentice

Club's new Apprentice Jockey Dicky Lui is primed for the fray

Apprentice Jockey Dicky Lui Cheuk Yin met the press today at Sha Tin Racecourse to mark the commencement of his Hong Kong career, which kicks off with three rides at the 2012/13 season curtain-raiser on Saturday, 8 September.

Lui, 22, was indentured as an apprentice in November 2010. He spent about 19 months riding for trainer John Sargent in New Zealand and now joins the stable of Ricky Yiu.

Both trainers were in attendance as Lui, who registered 22 wins from 344 rides in New Zealand, expressed his appreciation to the Club and Mr Sargent, and acknowledged the opportunity to work under Mr Yiu.

"I must thank Mr Sargent for giving me the chances he has, which have helped improve my riding," he said. "Riding in New Zealand provided me with valuable experience that has prepared me for Hong Kong racing. I still have a lot to learn and I know that there is so much that I can learn from my new boss."

Apprentice Jockey Lui, a judo black belt who was a member of Hong Kong's junior judo team before entering the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys' School at age 17, is looking forward to the challenge of riding on what is one of the world's most competitive racing circuits.

"I am a little nervous, but in a healthy way," he revealed. "I have confidence and I just need to work on my riding and gain more experience. I feel ready for this."

Matamata-based Mr Sargent has been impressed with Apprentice Jockey Lui's dedication and the progress he made during his time in New Zealand. "All he did was work and learn," revealed the trainer. "I sent him to the South Island to give him a more beneficial experience, with sometimes seven rides a day, four or five meetings a week and long drives. The riders down there are tough, so you have to learn from your bumps and your knocks. Dicky has come back from that a nice, polished rider. He still has a lot to learn and I'm sure Mr Yiu will continue to train and teach him and he will do well here."

Dicky Lui & Trainer Ricky Yiu
Dicky Lui with his mentor and local trainer Ricky Yiu

Mr Yiu concurred with Mr Sargent's view that Apprentice Jockey Lui will benefit from a sensible progression as he continues to develop as a race rider.

"We will start off slowly and see how he progresses," he said. "It's tough for any young apprentice against these good jockeys, so we will start him off at Sha Tin on some easy-going front-running types. After the experience he has gained in New Zealand, I am sure that he will do well in Hong Kong and I will do my best to help him."

Apprentice Jockey Lui's minimum riding weight is 105lbs.

MORE NEWS ?

Check out our News & Blogs and Follow Us on Twitter for Updates.

Thank-you for using The HK RACING FORM.

Close Window