VICTOR WONG AND THE AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Victor Wong, who lies a highly creditable sixth position in the Jockeys Premiership behind five senior riders, scored a second front-running double at Happy Valley tonight.

His double included the nights feature race win aboard the Paul O’Sullivan trained Planet Star, in the Class 3 The Korea Racing Authority Trophy Handicap. Planet Star, just as Great Son did for Wong earlier in the night, had to work early from gate ten to get into a position to set up the race to his advantage.

In the home straight the battle came down to a straight two-way contest between Planet Star and the favourite Fat Turtle, the race favourite ridden by Zac Purton, with the weight difference between the two runners arguably the determining factor in the result.

“I think the five pounds might have helped but Victor got him across and he rated him pretty well and did the job and the horse fought back pretty well,” said Sullivan.

“After his last start I gave him some hope of winning in Class 3 although I’ve always looked at him as a Class 4 horse but he’s found his niche around here. He jumped from the outside gate. Not sure we want to meet Fat Turtle again but it was a fair margin back to third,” O’Sullivan said.

O’Sullivan will saddle up people’s favourite Pakistan Star in the G1 FWD QEII Cup on Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday.

****************************************************************************************************

Victor Wong has an Australian connection as detailed in the profile details posted on the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s website.

‘HKJC Apprentice Jockeys' School student Victor Wong began his overseas training in June 2014, under the tutelage of leading Tasmanian trainer Leon Wells. He gained approval to start race-riding in January, 2015 and in the next two years he achieved a commendable 45 wins from 485 rides at a winning rate of 9.3%.

'Wong transferred in January, 2017 to the care of leading South Australian trainer and former top jockey, Richard Jolly (where he replaced Matthew Poon) under whose watch he rode a further 75 winners in 13 months. Wong was seventh in the South Australian Jockeys' Premiership with 42 wins for the term when, after four years in Australia, he was recalled to Hong Kong.

Indentured to trainer Tony Millard, Wong made his Hong Kong debut at Sha Tin on 25 March, 2018. His first success was achieved eight days later aboard the Benno Yung-trained Always Win. Wong's first Hong Kong term closed with 13 wins on the board.’

Wong has ridden 36 winners for the current season.

More articles