C.C. WONG WINS FIRST KOREAN FEATURE

After a short break in Singapore, Malaysian jockey hits top gear after his return to Seoul

- Michael Lee

A first silverware capped a much happier second stint in South Korea for Malaysian jockey Wong Chin Chuen on Feb 16.

The former Kranji staple produced a copybook front-running ride aboard speedy mare Crown Hamseong to beat a mostly male field in the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy (1,200m) in Seoul.

A homebred by US stallion Freedom Child and prepared by Seoul-based trainer Lee Gwan-ho, Crown Hamseong scored by two lengths from Daemangui Gil.

"I'm very happy I won my first feature race in Korea," said Wong, whose previous best performance at South Korea's elite level was a second in a Group 3 race.

"I've never ridden this mare before. Her past runs have been over 1,600m, but she was even faster than the sprinters and won easily.

"I'm enjoying my time in Korea better this time. I've already ridden eight winners this term."

It is nearly a year since the seven-time Singapore Group 1 winner moved to South Korea in March 2024.

Among the first to jump ship amid news that Kranji was closing doors on Oct 5, 2024, Wong - C.C. or Jimmy as he is better known - was an instant hit in Seoul.