He only had eyes on graduating from his apprenticeship at the beginning of this season, so it’s no wonder Angus Chung Yik-lai can hardly believe he’s ending the 2023-24 campaign as the Tony Cruz Award winner.

Chung has been a consistent performer throughout the season, collecting 46 victories at an eight per cent strike rate, and the 27-year-old is set to be crowned the leading local rider, an award named in honour of his legendary boss.

Heading into Sha Tin’s finale on Sunday, Chung is six wins clear of nearest pursuer Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, whose season was thwarted by injury and suspension, with Jerry Chau Chun-lok a further seven wins adrift.

Chung collects the accolade after his second season in the city and becomes the first rider to win the Tony Cruz Award while spending at least some of the campaign as an apprentice since leading lady, Kei Chiong Ka-kei, in 2016.

“It’s great to win the Tony Cruz Award because it’s in his name,” Chung said. “He’s been a great boss throughout and I’m very grateful to him.

“I didn’t think about the award at all at the beginning of the season – I thought it was out of reach. But I kept riding more winners and saw I was still in front towards the end of the season, so started aiming for it.

“It’s been a very good season and I’m very happy. I’ve had a lot of support from everyone. Massive support from Tony Cruz and also other trainers as well.”

Chung has booted home 21 Cruz-trained winners this term, three of which were on the improving four-year-old Colourful Emperor, including the win that sealed him his 70th in the city and graduation from his apprenticeship.

He notched 31 wins during his first campaign in the city and says it has been useful to lean on his colleagues in the weighing room to continue to develop his skills in the saddle.

“The first season I was in Hong Kong I was still learning a lot of different things,” Chung said. “What the horses were like in Hong Kong, what the jockeys were like. But after one season experience I know the horses and jockeys – what they’re doing and their habits – so I could really focus on winners.

“I’m good friends with Matthew Poon [Ming-fai] and Jerry Chau and we always talk about our races and where we made a mistake, where we can improve and get better. Sometimes Zac Purton or Hugh Bowman will offer some help as well.”

Chung admits that it might be a tough task to defend his crown next season against a fully fit Ho, but says he has one overarching aim for the 2024-25 campaign.

“Vincent Ho had a very unlucky season, so I might not be able to get the Tony Cruz Award next year,” Chung said. “But I will try, and the big aim is to have a Group winner.”