Synonymous with Golden Sixty`s greatest triumphs, Vincent Ho has become only the second home-grown jockey to ride 500 wins in Hong Kong, joining the legendary Tony Cruz in a select club with victory aboard Lucky Gold at Sha Tin on Sunday (19 March).



Fittingly, Ho`s milestone was reached in tandem with Francis Lui, the quietly-spoken trainer who has exclusively used Ho aboard eight-time Group 1 winner Golden Sixty, who recently returned to the top of the LONGINES World`s Best Racehorse Rankings.



“It`s feels like ages when you watch the videos of when I got my first winner,” said Ho, 32, a product of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Talent Centre (HKJCRTT), who rode his first winner in the city in 2009/10 after an educational stint in New Zealander under Lance O`Sullivan.



“It`s picked up this season, but hopefully there will be more (winners). I was lucky to get into the Hong Kong Jockey Club Apprentices` School when I was a little bit heavy or a little bit taller than the limit.



“I`m really grateful to the Club and Amy Chan (Racing Talent Centre Head-mistress) for putting so much effort into local boys and we are doing our best to help the next generation to be a role model as well because we know it feels from back then and we want to help them believe.



“I`ve always loved riding and loved horses and when I first signed with Amy Chan, the goal was to produce world-class jockeys so that was my dream as well.”



Lui said: “I`m very happy for him (Ho), congratulations. He`s so honest, he always tries his best and even at trackwork and everything, we communicate well. He`s a very good jockey.”



Cruz rode 946 winners in a fabulous Hong Kong career and also featured in several major international victories, while Ho hopes to continue building a tally bolstered by Golden Sixty`s 24 wins to date.



“He`s (Golden Sixty) definitely got me a lot of recognition in Hong Kong and around the world because of Golden Sixty and he`s definitely very special to me and I can`t say thanks enough to the owner and the trainer who have continuously supported me even though sometimes I make mistakes,” Ho said.



Mighty Stride capped a magnificent meeting for Ricky Yiu with victory in the Class 3 Designs On Rome Handicap (1400m) under Hugh Bowman.



Hong Kong Champion Trainer in 2019/20, Yiu earlier celebrated his first BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) success with Voyage Bubble and Alexis Badel. Yiu`s double lifted the veteran handler to 41 in this season`s title race, five behind John Size (46).



Victor The Winner continued his promising development with a blistering win in the Class 2 Rapper Dragon Handicap (1200m) for Danny Shum and Zac Purton, clocking a slick 1m 08.20s.



A son of Toronado, Victor The Winner collected a HK$1 million PPG Bonus with his fourth win from his sixth start before Matthew Poon steered Shum-trained Supreme Lucky to runaway success in the Class 3 Luger Handicap (1200m).



Hong Kong International Sale graduate Call Me Dandy - a son of I Am Invincible - broke through at his third start for Lui, winning the Class 4 Sky Darci Handicap (1200m) under Matthew Chadwick before Angus Chung`s 10lb claim proved decisive in Dennis Yip-trained Top Top Tea`s (123lb) short head victory over Rattan Kingdom (135lb) in the Class 4 Furore Handicap (1400m).



With his 20th career-win, Chung`s 10lb apprentice claim will reduce to 7lb following this afternoon`s fixture.



Hugh Bowman and David Hall combined for their 10th win of the season when Summit Cheers claimed the Class 4 Ping Hai Star Handicap (1200m) before Size`s Escape Route benefited from a ground-saving ride from Damian Lane to clinch the Class 3 Werther Handicap (2000m).



Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (22 March).