jack
17-06-2002, 19:11
Nick Pulford and Alan Aitken
Wong Tang-ping enjoyed a fairytale ending to his training career at Sha Tin yesterday when Northern Gold Ball, his final runner, snatched a last-gasp victory in the Hong Kong Racehorse Owners' Association Trophy. Urged on by a huge roar from the public stands, the 14-10 favourite got up on the line to deny Golconda by a short-head.
It was a close call, but jockey Douglas Whyte looked confident as he punched the air at the line and the champion's judgment was proved correct when the photo confirmed the dream result.
"It is a perfect ending. I had looked forward to a result like this, so for me it is mission accomplished," said Ping, who had seen two of his other eight runners on the day, Resourceful Prince and Ferrule, finish in the minor places.
"I have had a great career and I have enjoyed it all, but today will be a special memory for me. Now I'm going for a meal to celebrate with my family and some of my owners.
"I don't have too many plans beyond today, but I'm sure I'll still be involved with horses. They have been my life and, you never know, I may train somewhere else. I don't know how much I will miss training until I can no longer go to the track every morning to do my work."
Northern Gold Ball's victory sparked emotional scenes at the trophy presentation as Ping was cheered to the rafters by the public and given a heartfelt embrace by Whyte. The Jockey Club later presented a silver gilt dish to the veteran trainer, who shed his refined image to indulge in the traditional champagne-spraying with champions John Size, Whyte, Way Leung and Vincent Sit.
The win was the 23rd of the season for Ping, making a total of 567 in his 21-year career as a trainer. Having started as a stable lad with the Jockey Club in 1952, he was the first trainer to reach the recently introduced retirement age of 65.
Ping is best known for his association with Co-Tack, dual Horse of the Year in the early 1980s, but this final success will ensure he is also remembered for his skilful handling of Northern Gold Ball.
The temperamental son of Marju stood on the verge of compulsory retirement a year ago after a series of mulish displays at the barriers, but Ping's patience has seen Northern Gold Ball end this season with two straight wins and make him one of the best prospects up for grabs at the Ping dispersal.
Typically, Ping deflected credit from himself for the turnaround in Northern Gold Ball's behaviour. "I have to thank the starter, Philip Waldron, his staff and all the riders who have helped me with Northern Gold Ball. Their patience and professionalism has made today possible and I am very grateful to them. Northern Gold Ball has always had a lot of ability and I had to do some pleading to make sure they didn't retire him. I'm glad they gave him another chance."
John Size rightfully took the plaudits yesterday but fellow rookie Manfred Man Ka-leung was satisfied with his debut training season, too. He celebrated the final day with the win of Lucky Superstar (Simon Yim Hin-keung) in race eight to take him to 18 wins and he was comfortable with his performance.
"Eighteen is not a bad number first year and I had 29 seconds as well, so that is a lot of seconds," he said. "With more luck in the finish I might have had quite a few more wins." Lucky Superstar, the sale topper from the 2000 International Sale, was one of three International Sale graduates to win on yesterday's card, with Shabu Shabu and The Duke, and Man does not believe the best has been seen of him yet.
"I had him set to run in the race that was called off at Happy Valley a couple of weeks ago, so we had to quickly change course with him but he likes the 1,600 metre distance," Man said.
"He enjoyed the cut in the ground today, too, and I think he has got great potential. He is still only young and has had just 12 starts so I have not put him under too much pressure. Lucky Superstar can improve more next season."
The Lawrie Fownes-trained The Duke looks a griffin likely to train on next season after again showing a coolness and turn of foot to lead throughout in the fifth under Anton Marcus. Despite being bustled over from gate 14, The Duke dropped anchor beautifully for Marcus once in front and never looked like being headed as he made it two from two in blinkers.
"The plan was to go forward and either lead or let someone go if they wanted the lead more desperately," said Fownes' son and assistant trainer, Casper. "Anton was able to give him a breather and he was quite impressive again. I think he's got the right attitude to be a good horse and he looks exciting."
Wong Tang-ping enjoyed a fairytale ending to his training career at Sha Tin yesterday when Northern Gold Ball, his final runner, snatched a last-gasp victory in the Hong Kong Racehorse Owners' Association Trophy. Urged on by a huge roar from the public stands, the 14-10 favourite got up on the line to deny Golconda by a short-head.
It was a close call, but jockey Douglas Whyte looked confident as he punched the air at the line and the champion's judgment was proved correct when the photo confirmed the dream result.
"It is a perfect ending. I had looked forward to a result like this, so for me it is mission accomplished," said Ping, who had seen two of his other eight runners on the day, Resourceful Prince and Ferrule, finish in the minor places.
"I have had a great career and I have enjoyed it all, but today will be a special memory for me. Now I'm going for a meal to celebrate with my family and some of my owners.
"I don't have too many plans beyond today, but I'm sure I'll still be involved with horses. They have been my life and, you never know, I may train somewhere else. I don't know how much I will miss training until I can no longer go to the track every morning to do my work."
Northern Gold Ball's victory sparked emotional scenes at the trophy presentation as Ping was cheered to the rafters by the public and given a heartfelt embrace by Whyte. The Jockey Club later presented a silver gilt dish to the veteran trainer, who shed his refined image to indulge in the traditional champagne-spraying with champions John Size, Whyte, Way Leung and Vincent Sit.
The win was the 23rd of the season for Ping, making a total of 567 in his 21-year career as a trainer. Having started as a stable lad with the Jockey Club in 1952, he was the first trainer to reach the recently introduced retirement age of 65.
Ping is best known for his association with Co-Tack, dual Horse of the Year in the early 1980s, but this final success will ensure he is also remembered for his skilful handling of Northern Gold Ball.
The temperamental son of Marju stood on the verge of compulsory retirement a year ago after a series of mulish displays at the barriers, but Ping's patience has seen Northern Gold Ball end this season with two straight wins and make him one of the best prospects up for grabs at the Ping dispersal.
Typically, Ping deflected credit from himself for the turnaround in Northern Gold Ball's behaviour. "I have to thank the starter, Philip Waldron, his staff and all the riders who have helped me with Northern Gold Ball. Their patience and professionalism has made today possible and I am very grateful to them. Northern Gold Ball has always had a lot of ability and I had to do some pleading to make sure they didn't retire him. I'm glad they gave him another chance."
John Size rightfully took the plaudits yesterday but fellow rookie Manfred Man Ka-leung was satisfied with his debut training season, too. He celebrated the final day with the win of Lucky Superstar (Simon Yim Hin-keung) in race eight to take him to 18 wins and he was comfortable with his performance.
"Eighteen is not a bad number first year and I had 29 seconds as well, so that is a lot of seconds," he said. "With more luck in the finish I might have had quite a few more wins." Lucky Superstar, the sale topper from the 2000 International Sale, was one of three International Sale graduates to win on yesterday's card, with Shabu Shabu and The Duke, and Man does not believe the best has been seen of him yet.
"I had him set to run in the race that was called off at Happy Valley a couple of weeks ago, so we had to quickly change course with him but he likes the 1,600 metre distance," Man said.
"He enjoyed the cut in the ground today, too, and I think he has got great potential. He is still only young and has had just 12 starts so I have not put him under too much pressure. Lucky Superstar can improve more next season."
The Lawrie Fownes-trained The Duke looks a griffin likely to train on next season after again showing a coolness and turn of foot to lead throughout in the fifth under Anton Marcus. Despite being bustled over from gate 14, The Duke dropped anchor beautifully for Marcus once in front and never looked like being headed as he made it two from two in blinkers.
"The plan was to go forward and either lead or let someone go if they wanted the lead more desperately," said Fownes' son and assistant trainer, Casper. "Anton was able to give him a breather and he was quite impressive again. I think he's got the right attitude to be a good horse and he looks exciting."