JOHNNY WRIGHT - A HUMBLE AUSSIE IN HONG KONG

By Darren Winningham | Monday, December 9, 2024

I found a friend in the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) - a lad from Port Macquarie in NSW, Johnny Wright, who took a leap of faith after reviewing my articles for the past few years challenging Australians to come to Hong Kong and experience the wonderful city, the shopping, the iconic tourism opportunities and of course the entertainment offered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Johnny is no stranger to racing – I first met him through horse racing taking some random photos at the races when he was strapping racehorses in Queensland. I suppose it is hard not to miss a bald head, a glowing smile and someone who calls himself ‘Group 1 Johnny’.

It is so humbling how horseracing can bring people together and forge friendships.

So, you may ask where does the self-proclaimed tag ‘Group 1 Johnny’ come from?

I caught up with him at Sha Tin for the 2024 HKIR day and I will let him take the story from here.

“I strapped the Group 1 winner Pornichet in the Doomben Cup in 2015 – then I went to the Cox Plate with him. He was trained by Gai Waterhouse,” said Johnny.

“When I left school, I got involved with racing and continued this on and off. I have had a couple of opportunities to work with Gai. I have strapped some really nice horses and experienced life in Sydney”.

I asked Johnny what it was like to work for the Queen of Australian racing Gai Waterhouse.

“Apart from working and understanding a racing stable, I think I learned a lot of life lessons which have been really beneficial.

"Just things from Gai … about how you present yourself and what's expected of you, so you can take those things with you throughout life and not just in racing.”

I also had to ask him about his first visit to Happy Valley on Wednesday night for the LONGINES International Jockeys Championship (IJC). It is an occasion which has left so many people in awe when they first walk into the amazing track setting.

“I was like a kid in a toy store,” answered Johnny. “I was just blown away by the amphitheatre, the atmosphere and the racing itself.”

Johnny explained that racing under lights in the middle of the bustling Hong Kong city surrounding the track was like nothing he had ever experienced in his life.

We went on to discuss the 2024 LONGINES HKIR at Sha Tin. He told me that it had been a lifetime dream to come to this meeting – and he was here trackside!

“Really, it's like a dream come true,” enthused Johnny. “You know, I've done Melbourne Cups and Cox Plates, but the facilities and the grandstand here is just mind-blowing, and then you know, with the 75,000 that's expected here, it is just going be awesome day.”

Johnny went on to say to be trackside to see the win of the Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior, “was special – something that I will never forget. To see Zac (Purton) ride Ka Ying Rising to win as well. It was an amazing effort – maybe we will see him race in Australia”.

Johnny also confirmed he had been out and about experiencing the tourism that Hong Kong has to offer.

Visiting the Mongkok and Temple Street markets, taking the ferry across the spectacular Hong Kong harbour, enjoying the local shops and markets in Wanchai where he stayed.

Plus, he did other must do tourism things such as taking the Peak Tram and standing on the highest point of Hong Kong and looking down over the city. Taking a day in the gondolas riding to the Ngong Ping 360 where he experienced stunning views of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Big Buddha.

The Big Buddha ‘was huge’ in his words, and he managed to climb the 300 steps to take a closer look at the seated bronze Buddha statue. He then went on to visit the Po Lin Monastery, situated right next to Big Buddha.

Hong Kong has so many things for you to do – so many places to eat and is priced well for Australian tourists to experience.

Well, good on Johnny for taking me up on the challenge to visit Hong Kong for the week of the Hong Kong International races.

I say it each year – get over to Hong Kong – come and enjoy the tourism, the sport and the entertainment offered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

I’m telling you, you will not be disappointed … and, if you don’t believe me, ask Johnny!

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