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Posted 2014-07-31 00:40:52  
Asian Young Guns Challenge set to close Clairwood

The Asian Young Guns Challenge is set to grace the turf of Clairwood Rcaecorse on Saturday as some of best of the world's apprentice jockey showcase their talents to the world in Durban.

The historic apprentice jockey event that takes place around the Asian Racing countries, will double as the closing event for the 95 year old Clairwood Racecourse. The Gold Circle property has been sold for development and it brings to an end an era of exceptional racing and memories at what was once known as the "garden course".

The Asian Young Guns were presented to the media at an event at Greyville on Tuesday night. The up and coming jockeys and their instructors were delighted to be in Durban for this grand event.

Hong Kong apprentice jockey Dicky C Y Lui was accompanied by his South African born Senior Instructor of the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys’ School Craig Benton. The HK Champion Apprentice Jockey will join the leading apprentice riders from Australia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Mauritius and South Africa in a visit to Summerhill Stud and attend a workshop on Wednesday.

Declarations for Saturday’s meeting were announced on Tuesday and Lui’s allocated rides include two runners from the former UK champion jockey-turned trainer Michael Roberts – Tycoon Touch in the first leg (Race 3, 1200m) and Windy Express in the third leg (Race 7, 1450m). The other two rides are Craig Eudey-trained Night Lock (Race 5, 2000m) and Sean Tarry-trained Circle Of Speed (Race 8, 1450m).

Melborne Apprentice Jye McNeil will be under the guidance of Racing Victoria apprentice coach Matt Pumps and said he was honoured to be chosen to contest the series and was excited for his first trip abroad.

“It really is a privilege to be given this opportunity,” McNeil said.

McNeil like all the apprentices involve will contest four races over 1200 metres, 1450 metres, 1800 metres and 2000 metres on August 2, all of which are classed as superior races and range in prize money from US $7200 to $8200.

The fourth-year apprentice is in career-best form, collecting 66 wins for the 2013/14 season to sit atop of the apprentice table for most wins this season. His season haul takes his career wins tally to 150.

“I’ve had a look (at the other jockeys) and it looks like there are a couple of talented riders there, so it will be good to have the opportunity to ride against them,” Mc Neil said.

McNeil, originally from Kerang, is under the tutelage of Mansfield trainer Gerald Egan, who fostered group one jockeys Nicholas Hall and Luke Nolen early in their careers.

The series was first hosted by the Victorian Racing Club in 2009 and is designed to provide emerging riders with the opportunity to pit their skills against each other on an international stage. 

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