Jerry Chau believes increased confidence has played a critical role this season – a breakout campaign and his best as a senior rider – in which he leads the Tony Cruz Award and will soon represent Team Hong Kong on the global stage at Ascot.

The 26-year-old is one of world racing’s brightest talents. He’s sharp and daring – qualities that have worked to return 47 winners and fifth place in the 2025/26 jockeys’ championship, while his nearest challenger for the Tony Cruz Award as the season’s leading homegrown rider is four-time recipient Vincent Ho, who trails by 11 wins.

“I’m very happy at this stage to be leading. I’ve put a lot of effort into this season, and the results are paying off. I’ve done more trackwork, more barrier trials at Conghua, and I’ve asked the trainers for more rides,” Chau said. “I’m more confident; I’m out there and I’m showing them that I am really hungry.

“I’m happiest about getting less suspensions. It’s been a really big improvement because usually it stops my momentum by missing rides and winners. I have more experience this season and I started off confidently by winning the (G3) Korea Sprint (1200m, sand).”

Statistically, Chau’s tally of 58 winners as an apprentice in 2020/21 is his best return. He is now without an allowance after graduating in 2021, aside from the local rider’s two pounds, which he can use for another 30 wins until he reaches 250 in Hong Kong.

Chau, who misses the season’s final fixture (on Wednesday, 15 July) due to suspension, is a product of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School. He will represent Team Hong Kong alongside Ho and Luke Ferraris in the Shergar Cup on 8 August in Great Britain.

“I’m excited. It’s a huge honour for me to represent Team Hong Kong. We’ll be against some of the world’s best jockeys at one of the world’s most famous tracks,” Chau said.

Chau takes eight rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (8 July) – the season’s 86th of 88 scheduled race meetings – including Danny Shum’s Romantic Thor (134lb) in the Class 2 Hat Trick Handicap (1800m), who was promoted to run in the race following the withdrawal of Without Compare on Tuesday morning (7 July).

Chau also partners The Perfect Match (124lb) for Shum, breaking from barrier one in the Class 4 Goal Handicap (1200m), and said: “I think the draw will help him a lot because he needs a very smooth race without mistakes; then he can run pretty well. He can hang a little in the straight, so I think the inside barrier will really help him.”

Caspar Fownes is aiming to extend his trainers’ championship lead by saddling eight runners across the nine-race fixture at Happy Valley, featuring last-start winner Target Audience (128lb) in the Class 3 Penalty Shootout Handicap (1200m).

“He was quite impressive. He comes up in gate five tomorrow, so there’s no reason why he can’t give us a good performance again. I’ve kept him fresh since that last run and he looks to be in good order,” Fownes said. “He’s the type of horse who can always put himself in a handy position, so that will always give him a chance at the Valley.”

Joao Moreira, who has 22 wins for Fownes since arriving as his stable rider in April, takes the reins on each of the trainer’s runners tomorrow. Fownes’ tally of 43 wins at Happy Valley this season is a single-season record, which dates back to 1995 when the track underwent a significant redevelopment, and the 58-year-old has claimed the city circuit’s unofficial trainers’ championship 11 times.

“It’s an iconic track which I have always loved even when my dad (Lawrie) was training. I’ve enjoyed training many winners there and long may it continue,” Fownes said. “A five-win lead with 29 races left – you’re in a very good position, especially since I’ve planned to have a solid finish over the last three meetings.”

Wednesday’s (8 July) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.30pm with the Class 5 Kick Off Handicap (1000m).

By Declan Schuster