WATCH: Ben Thompson breaks through in Hong Kong

Bets.com.au Staff

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Last updated: Wed 06 Mar 2024 12:07

Bets.com.au Staff 06 Mar 2024

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Ben Thompson has ridden his first Hong Kong winner
The Australian jockey combined with trainer Jamie Richards for the victory
The pair teamed-up with 'Courier Magic', a $41 outsider at Happy Valley
Race replay is included below

Ben Thompson riding Uncommon James to win the 2023 Oakleigh Plate. (Getty)

Hong Kong is a tough jurisdiction to break into for jockeys, with limited winning opportunities available to young hoops who venture over for short or long term contracts.

Now into his fourth week of a two-month stint in Hong Kong, Australian jockey Ben Thompson has collected his first winner aboard the Jamie Richards-trained Courier Magic.

The gelding was sent out as a $41 chance following seven heavy defeats to start his career, although he did have blinkers applied for the first time this evening.

In a fast-run affair and with a strong tempo set by Charming Steed, Thompson made use of barrier three early on the son of Savabeel, with the pair settling third in the run for the 1650m Class 5 (Happy Valley - Race 2).

With the early leader tiring at the 200m and with Big Two providing a perfect tow into proceedings, Courier Magic was able to cash in late and pull away for a soft victory.

A Victorian hoop who moved north to Queensland in 2020, Ben Thompson finished second to James Orman in last season's Brisbane Jockey Premiership, with 93 metropolitan winners in Queensland over the 2022/2023 period.

The 27-year-old also recorded his biggest career win last year when steering Uncommon James to victory in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate.