Homegrown Yuen off to a flier in HK
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Nichola Yuen drawing clear for Nichola Yuen in the Class 4 Ma Tau Wai Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on April 1.
PHOTO: HKJC
HONG KONG – Newly licensed apprentice jockey Nichola Yuen took only two rides to open her winning account in Hong Kong, with a brilliant tactical ride on Dennis Yip’s PI Legend at Sha Tin on April 1.
That added to the 78 wins she accrued overseas – 61 in Australia, 10 in New Zealand and seven in South Africa – as part of her training for riding in Hong Kong.
Yuen allowed PI Legend to balance from barrier 12 before taking a lead he would never relinquish, clocking 1min 08.68sec in the Class 4 Ma Tau Wai Handicap (1,200m).
“It’s very unbelievable. I’m really grateful to have the opportunity from Mr Yip and being able to ride comfortably and confidently,” said Yuen, 25, of the victory.
“I’m very excited. I can’t believe that at my first meeting here in Hong Kong, I’ve got a win straight away.
“I’m very happy to have the opportunities – and for Mr Yip, of course. Thank you so much to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Apprentice School, Miss Amy Chan and Mr Felix Coetzee – they’ve really taught me a lot and I’m very grateful.
“I did a lot of homework, and I have lots of experience overseas, so I think I learned a lot there.
“It’s really helpful for me to step on this bigger stage, it’s good for me as well.”
Having finished fourth on Double Bingo behind Viva Chaleur (Andrea Atzeni) in her debut ride in the opening race on the card, the Class 5 Shek Kip Mei Handicap (1,200m), Yuen was undeterred by PI Legend’s wide draw three races later.
“It was a tricky gate today and my horse (PI Legend) is an on-pace horse, but I could see that there were two on-pace horses on my inside,” she said.
“So I actually had to watch them as well. But the horse gave me a very good feeling after the jump.
“He gave me a very good momentum to kind of just slide in front and just keep on pushing.
“So, the horse helped me and helped himself as well. We both saved our energy by getting to the front.
“By getting a nice tempo, he got his breather, so he could give a very nice kick in the end.”
Triumphant by 1¼ lengths over Speedy Smartie (Karis Teetan) and Flowing Riches (Britney Wong), Yuen glanced at the infield screen for confirmation of the win as PI Legend surged clear.
“I looked at the screen, and I was pretty sure I had won the race,” she said.
“I’ve been waiting for this for quite a while, so it’s been very emotional.” HKJC
