Frankie Lor Fu-chuen trained a winner with his first runner 12 months ago but Jimmy Ting Koon-ho is not fussed whether he emulates him or not when he begins his debut season at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The 45-year-old, who worked under Danny Shum Chap-shing last term, has four runners on the opening day but is more focused on embracing a “special” season rather than sitting on edge in anticipation of his first winner.
“It doesn’t matter too much, I’m just keen to let it happen,” he said.
Before Shum, Ting worked under David Hill, Michael Chang Chun-wai and Francis Lui Kin-wai, as well as riding for legendary local trainer Brian Kan Ping-chee during his time as an apprentice jockey.
Ting was visibly excited when talking about the prospect of Kan being trackside on Sunday as he finally sends out a runner of his own.
He is saddling up Triumphant Jewel in the first race, a Class Four over 1,000m, and gives the eight-year-old gelding a chance despite saying he lacks fitness.
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“It has a little bit of a chance,” Ting said. “The horse is still a little bit fat and not fit enough, but in that race the other horses are not so strong so he’s a bit of a chance.”
Ting also has Richcity Fortune in the fourth event and Peace N Prosperity in the fifth, but it is his final runner of the day that has him most excited.
“I think my best chance is Cheerful Boy in race six. His form is very good and he is going better than any other horse in my stable,” he said.
After finding out in June that he had been granted a licence to train, it’s been a busy couple of months for Ting as he’s gone about assembling a stable from scratch.
But the unflappable Ting has taken it all in his stride – a trait that looks set to hold him in good stead in his new life as a head trainer.
“It’s good, all is fine. It’s been a rush but I have been able to handle it,” he said.
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As for the training style that punters can expect moving forward, Ting says he hopes to put his own spin on the knowledge he has picked up from everyone he has worked with.
“Every trainer that I have worked for before I have learned something from,” he said. “I have brought different things together from different trainers to create my own style.”
