Fresh from a Wednesday night (14 May) double, Matthew Poon leads the race for this season’s Tony Cruz Award as leading homegrown jockey with 34 wins, seven clear of 2021/22 winner Matthew Chadwick and injured Vincent Ho (both on 27).
Poon, 31, has been a revelation this campaign as he sweeps toward bettering his personal-best haul of 37 wins in a season, a mark set in 2020/21.
“Everybody will get a chance if they work hard. You just never give up, no matter how long it takes. You just have to be positive and you never know when the chance comes,” Poon said.
“You have to be ready and well prepared and wait for the opportunity to come and try to take it.”
Poon has eight rides at Sha Tin this weekend, including Mr Energia for David Hall in the HK$1.86 million Class 3 The Members Cup Handicap (1200m, dirt).
Poon’s form has earned a ride in the A$1 million (approx. HK$5.025 million) G1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on Klondike for John O’Shea & Tom Charlton at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane, Australia on 24 May.
“I was really surprised. I was very happy to get the opportunity because this is one of my career goals to ride in a Group 1 overseas so I’m really keen on this opportunity and I really appreciate the opportunity,” Poon said.
“I think this will be a really good experience to get rides, especially in a Group 1, in a different country.”
Sunday’s (18 May) 10-race Sha Tin card starts with the Class 5 Celebrating Timeless Tradition Handicap (1400m) at 12.45pm.