Poon Wins Tony Cruz Award By A Whisker

Popular rider ties with Leung but gets HK home-grown jockey nod with more thirds

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HONG KONG - Matthew Poon withstood an inspired season-finale push from Derek Leung, to claim his first Tony Cruz Award as Hong Kong's leading home-grown jockey in dramatic circumstances at Happy Valley on July 16.

With Leung's wins on Me Tsui's Vulcanus in the Class 4 Let Me Fight Handicap (1,200m) and Frankie Lor's Regal Gem in the Class 3 Sun Jewellery Handicap (1,200m), officials resorted to a countback for thirds after both Poon and Leung finished tied on 36 wins and 38 seconds.

Poon, who honed his craft in Adelaide where he earned his nickname the Poon Train, claimed the award named after the former legendary Hong Kong jockey, now a top trainer, with 56 thirds to Leung's 35.

"It's a really great competition and good motivation for all of us. We stay very focused and hungry throughout the season," said Poon, who enjoyed successful stints at Kranji as an apprentice jockey attached to the Shane Baertschiger yard in 2017 and 2018.