First year apprentice Jim Chung won’t forget Saturday’s racemeeting at Rotorua in a hurry as he opened his winning account as a jockey aboard the Tim and Margaret Carter-trained Show Courage (NZ) (Showcasing) in the last race on the card.
The Chinese native, who was having just his second raceday ride, showed great judgement in leading all the way aboard the promising three-year-old son of Showcasing, with Margaret Carter predicting it will be the first of many for the engaging 25-year-old.
“Jim came to us from Australia about a year ago and he has just fitted in so well,” Carter said.
“He has always wanted to be a jockey and tried to get an apprenticeship in Hong Kong, but they turned him down as they said he was too heavy.
“He then went to Australia before coming over here to us.
“He has a tremendous work ethic and as we don’t have a big team, he rides work in the morning for several trainers including Clint Isdale, Chris Wood and a few for Stephen Marsh on occasion.
“He has got his weight down to a steady 51kgs and his ambition is to become a jockey, so he is off to a good start.
“He received a lot of congratulations last night after the win, including from Australia, which was great.
“With winter racing coming up he should be in demand with that 4kg claim, so we might not see a lot of him at home for the next few months.”
Carter was also delighted to see Show Courage bounce back from a lacklustre effort at Ellerslie at his last start to register his second win at just his sixth start.
“We might have been a little hasty in starting him at Ellerslie as it was only ten days after he had won his maiden at Rotorua,” she said.
“He bounced back nicely on Saturday, which was good to see.
“He is a pretty promising type as he is still pretty green and has a lot to learn, but the motor is definitely there.”
Carter was also thrilled to get the win for Show Courage’s Hong Kong-based owner and breeder, Richard Hui.
“Richard has had a lot of horses with us over the years, so to get another win for him is fantastic,” she said.
“He is a fabulous owner and he will have a decision to make now with this guy as to whether we carry on with him here or he goes up to Hong Kong at some stage.
“We haven’t really thought too much about where he will go next as we don’t think he is a wet track type so if the weather packs in we might end up tipping him out for a spell.
“He still has plenty of growing and maturing to do and could be a very nice horse in his next preparation.”
Out of the Peintre Celebre mare Peinbird, Show Courage comes from an extended family that includes multiple stakes winner and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) runner-up Shiva’s Revenge.
