Retired champion Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte has claimed his first win as a trainer with his second runner, Adonis, victorious at Sha Tin.
With Australian Regan Bayliss aboard, Adonis won the second race on the first day of the new Hong Kong season.
“It’s phenomenal. It’s fantastic!” Whyte said.
Whyte won 13 Hong Kong jockeys’ premierships and retired from the saddle last season.
He has received immediate support from owners in his new role and has 47 horses in his stable.
“It’s lovely to have the support and to be able to achieve my first winner on the first day; it’s Hong Kong, this is my home, so it’s a special feeling,” Whyte told the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
For Bayliss, the win was also significant.
“It’s very, very special,” he said.
“As a little kid I looked up to Douglas and always kept an eye on what he was doing here in Hong Kong.
“To be able to do a lot of track work for him the past two weeks and get on Adonis and prevail is really special.”
Fellow Australian Blake Shinn had a tough day at his first Hong Kong meeting with three seconds from his first three rides and a third later on the program.
