Jockeys who regularly apply for a vacant Hong Kong Jockey Club club licence await the outcome of the Licensing Committees decision every quarter or so. There is no doubt that a call from the authorities as to their licence application is a life changing decision, sometimes not positively. Hong Kong is where the money is, it is a dream job and most aspiring jockeys want to be there but is it worth the wait to get the best rides and hope that you become one of the top 3 to get the best rides?

This time around Alberto Sanna was the latest to be given the proverbial boot for one mistake he made which demanded a ban. He was a fairly successful rider with support from the legend himself, Douglas Whyte, but that didn't save him his job. The final verdict was that his licence wasn't renewed and he is out in favour of Frenchman Tony Piconne, who was recently announced on a short term contract.

There is a list of top jockeys who have attempted the Hong Kong dream only to realise that its more of a nightmare when things don't go well. That said there are also success stories. The latest man to suffer the weight of expectation is South African star Lyle Hewitson who hasn't been able to ride a winner yet. He's had more than 150 rides to date without success and time is running out in his own story.

23 riders started the current season with another South African, Aldo Domeyer already home but stating he would go back if needed. The Lyle Hewitson story is nothing new, it followed the path of Callan Murray who moved from Hong Kong to Singapore and then back home where he landed the plum job with Mike De Kock. With his confidence back, he is riding winner after winner after poor stints in the east, by his high standards. 

How can so many world class jockeys suffer the same fate in Hong Kong and to a lesser extent, Singapore? It proves two important things; you need the horses under you no matter what and the best horses aren't always ridden by the best riders, this is true in the Hong Kong scenario where relationships are key and its more that just one between the horse and the trainer. The building of relationships with the powerful and rich owner base is vital where luck and seen to be lucky is critical.

Karis Teetan went to Hong Kong as one of the lesser decorated jockeys out of South Africa and fired on all cylinders. He started with bang, got great press coverage on arrival and made it work. He is now consistently landing the best rides after the top two, Moreira and Purton, and beating the big two often enough to warrant huge respect. Purton wasn't seen to be anything special a few years ago and by his own admission bided his time to land the top rides. Now he is the top man along with Moreira. Perseverance is key but how long can one hold on to something when the winners aren't coming.

Hong Kong, with all its political drama and turmoil, is fast becoming a place where one has to think twice about riding in. However the city is still one of the most sought after to be in and, of course, the money is great.