In-form apprentice Ellis Wong will get his chance on the big stage when he rides at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Wong, who debuted in early 2021 has already ridden 81 winners and been a rapid improver in his second full season in the saddle having already ridden 36 winners, the same number he rode last season.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for Ellis to ride at Moonee Valley,’’ Racing SA Apprentice Academy Master Briony Moore said.
He rode a quartet of metropolitan winners at Gawler earlier this month and is fresh off a double at Murray Bridge on Australia Day to outride his country and provincial claim.
Wong was booked for three rides but is left with just the one - Tubby Two Tracks for Chris Bieg – after Aaron Bain opted to keep Wonderwomen in Adelaide and East Indiaman went around at Sandown on Wednesday.
“It looks like a pretty even race, he has a good gate with his 3kg claim,’’ Moore said.
“Ellis is an excellent front running rider so we can only hope it’s a fairytale visit,’’ she said.
Moore said the timing of his Melbourne adventure was perfect given Wong is expected to return home to Hong Kong shortly.
“He’s on the cusp of gaining a licence to ride in his native Hong Kong, so a trip to Melbourne will be a good experience and nice reward prior to going home and riding in one of the most competitive racing environments in the world,’’ Moore said.
“For such a quiet person Ellis is a fierce competitor, early days it was a bit of a struggle to keep that within the rules of racing, within my time in this position I have never seen the growth in a rider than I have with Ellis and no doubt he will go on to do great things in Hong Kong,’ she said.
Racing SA Jockey Coach Dean Pettit echoed Moore and said Wong had done everything he can to not only make an impact in Adelaide but set himself up perfectly for his return home.
“This is a wonderful reward for his want to learn and get better as a jockey,’’ Pettit said.
“Ellis has taken his riding to a new level and is always working with the academy to improve his skill sets,’’ he said.
