Racing: Dream job opens in Hong Kong

New Zealand jockey Leith Innes is about to become a player on world racing's biggest stage.

Last season's premiership winner has a four-month contract with the all-powerful Hong Kong Jockey Club. He starts riding there on March 7.

If his initial stint is successful Innes could be offered a long-term contract, which is a jockey's equivalent of winning lotto.

"This is huge and I almost can't believe it," said Innes last night.

"The contract is still coming through on the fax so I haven't had a chance to read it all yet but this is as good as it gets."

Innes is only the third New Zealand-based jockey to secure a contract in Hong Kong, following Lance O'Sullivan and Michael Walker, who only rode there for four months.

Other Kiwi riders, most notably Shane Dye, have ridden with great success in Hong Kong but all got their contracts by first riding in Australia.

O'Sullivan might have unknowingly paved the way for Innes to follow him to Hong Kong, where stakes are enormous and the gambling turnover staggering.

When O'Sullivan retired from riding he suggested to his brother Paul, then the leading trainer at Matamata, that Innes play a big hand in the stable's future.

Innes had only recently arrived back from riding in Singapore and he says the timing could not have been better.

"I learnt a lot in Singapore riding against world class jockeys so when Paul gave me the chance I was ready."

So ready he went on to win the New Zealand premiership and this season he has gone on a winning rampage in black type races.

While winning group races in New Zealand is satisfying for the 26-year-old rider the stakes and glamour of Hong Kong racing are from a different universe.

"I realise that I will need to lift my standards a level, maybe two.

"But I have been given a great opportunity and I will be giving it my best shot."

Innes knows few of the big players in Hong Kong, except Paul O'Sullivan, who moved there last year.

"Paul is coming home this week and I am looking forward to catching up with him and talking about what I can expect.

"But at the moment I am still trying to come back down to earth because this is a dream come true."