Chau’s long-term Hong Kong dream taking shape

By Glenn Davis

When former Gold Coast jockey Allan Chau stepped into the unknown five years ago to begin training, he knew it would be daunting.

Not all jockeys who make the transition into training are successful, but in Chau’s case it has been rewarding and he believes his future lies in training.

The 39-year-old Chau arrived in Australia from Hong Kong as a six-year-old and is the first to admit he was never much of a scholar at school.

However, his interest in horses led him to a TAFE college, where a teacher told him he was small enough to be a jockey.

Chau started riding at Port Macquarie, where he was apprenticed to the late Pat Quinn before spending six months with Anthony Cummings in Sydney.

“I was getting too heavy and wasn’t getting the opportunities in Sydney, so I went back to Port Macquarie,” Chau said.

“When my boss died, I finished my apprenticeship with Rob Heathcote in Brisbane.”

It took Chau some time to find his feet after making the transition into training, but his statistics since quitting riding are testament to his work ethic and ability as a trainer.

He has a career strike-rate of 11%, with 99 wins from 918 starters.

His record is even better this season, with three wins from 23 starters for a strike-rate of 13%.

Chau, who has 30 in work at the Gold Coast, heads to Ipswich on Wednesday hoping to add to his recent run of six wins since late July.

He will saddle two starters, Ted Lasso in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate over 1350 metres and My House in the Maiden Handicap over 1680 metres.

A son of Sebring Sun, Ted Lasso is coming off a last-start third to the Shaun Dwyer-trained Dragon Magic in a similar maiden at Doomben on August 5.

“Ted Lasso was bred by my mate, Craig Ruttley, who stands Sebring Sun at his Glenthorne Farm in NSW,” Chau said.

“His last run was good, but he got well back as he hasn’t got good gate speed.

“His last 200 metres was very good considering where he was in the run and this is only his third start and he’s still very green.

“There usually is speed on at Ipswich and that’s what he likes, so I think he’s got a very good chance.”

Chau has set himself a goal to one day return to Hong Kong to train.

“I want to give myself every chance to train in Hong Kong over the next five to 10 years,” Chau said.

“I’m a dual citizen, which is an advantage to get a licence over there.”