3 minute read
Hong Kong jockey Dylan Mo is at his first “working holiday” in Singapore and he comes into his second meeting at Kranji with “some confidence”.
Unlike fellow Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Hugh Bowman who flew in for a one-day visit at the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) meeting last Sunday and duly saluted on favourite Golden Monkey in the highlight race, Mo has applied to stay put for longer at Kranji as the Hong Kong racing season takes a break from now until the new season kicks off at the Sha Tin racecourse on September 10.
After three unplaced rides at the season finale meeting in Hong Kong on July 16, the 29-year-old hoop flew to Singapore last Friday afternoon to begin his five-week stint and took up five rides at his first meeting at Kranji two days later.
His best result came aboard the James Peters-trained Circuit Mission, who finished third to next Sunday's Group 3 Rocket Man Sprint (1200m) nominee Pacific Emperor in the Spalato 2014 Stakes, a Class 2 race (1400m).
After getting warmed up in the saddles last week and putting himself out there, Mo has secured five other rides for himself this Sunday, namely War Warrior, Winning Power and Fortune Star for trainer Kuah Cheng Tee, Ace Of Diamonds for trainer Ricardo Le Grange and Mr Big Brother for trainer Mahadi Taib.
"I knew (jockey) Joao Moreira rode here before, but I didn't know anyone here," said Mo, who is in town with his girlfriend, Victoria.
"I wanted to explore the track and culture here and I'm happy I got my visiting (jockey's) licence at my first application here. Also, I want to maintain my racing fitness.
"Hong Kong is one of the most competitive places where top jockeys compete, so it will be a good chance for me to come here and learn to overcome (race) pressure, improve my riding skills and to expand my social circle by meeting more new jockeys and trainers around the world.
"I rang up some trainers before I came and a few of them gave me rides last Sunday and I also got to know some new local owners on Sunday.
"I did go to ride in Tasmania two or three years ago during the Hong Kong break as well and I won five to six races there.
"I think the tracks are very pretty, especially the Polytrack is impressive. The place looks professional and there are also many young horses as compared to in Hong Kong.
"Though you race in the anti-clockwise direction here, I'm not worried because I'm used to it as I raced in New Zealand and Tasmania before."
Mo, who opened his Hong Kong account atop Fish N' Chips in January 2017 and became a senior rider in 2019, will go into Sunday's race with some good level of confidence, especially on Mr Big Brother, who will carry 52kgs in the $50,000 Class 4 (1600m) race on the Polytrack and Ace Of Diamonds, who steps up to the seven furlongs in a similar $75,000 Restricted Maiden race third-up.
"I think I have some good confidence there, looking forward to good runs from Mr Big Brother and Ace Of Diamonds," said Mo, who has won over 150 races in 10 years of riding albeit none are Group races.
"Mr Big Brother has good runs on the Polytrack (all his three wins thus far). He seems to be in pretty good form recently and with the light weight, I am confident.
"Ace Of Diamonds did well at his last start (ran second to Strike Gold on July 15) but we need to get the horse to relax first before pushing him in the end.
"I will do my best to win as many races in my short stay here."
