THOROUGHBRED RACING : Stevens Has No Regrets About Hong Kong Trip

Imagine races only twice a week and the mutuel handle exceeding $100 million a day. Think about 15 publications devoted to racing and a twice-weekly, 2 1/2-hour television show featuring workouts, replays from various angles and expert analysis. Picture jockeys who are fined $1,500 for disallowed or frivolous foul claims.

Such is the case in Hong Kong, and nearly one month into a stay that will last until June, Gary Stevens has no regrets about his decision to go there.

Long one of America’s top riders, he signed a lucrative contract with Hong Kong-based trainer Steve Leung in late January to be the stable rider.

Although he misses his four children and friends, Stevens said he has adapted well to the change.

“I have no complaints,” he said by phone. “I’m having a good time and enjoying myself, but everybody told me how hot and humid it was going to be and it’s been cold and wet. It’s been like Seattle weather. I haven’t seen sunshine in about 12 days.

“I think I’ve adapted better than I anticipated I would. The only thing I’m having trouble with is I miss my friends and family and I miss the atmosphere around the track. I enjoyed being around the trainers and everyone in the morning.

“I’m glad I’m not having to pay these phone bills. I talked to Chris McCarron Tuesday, and I’ve talked to Chris Antley a couple of times, and I talk to my kids every day.

“I’m trying to stay in touch with everybody as much as I can.”

Through Wednesday night’s card at Happy Valley, Stevens had five firsts, three seconds and six thirds from 27 mounts, and he has a chance for a huge payday Sunday.

He will ride probable second choice Electric Flash in the Hong Kong Derby, the local equivalent, Stevens said, of the Kentucky Derby. The winner’s share of the purse is $780,000.

“People are going nuts here right now,” he said. “I rode (Electric Flash) the first day I was here in the Derby Trial. He was third, beaten a head. He was flying at the end. That was at 1,600 meters, and the race Sunday is 1,800 meters. He’s got a real nice turn of foot and he should be tough.”

Before he left, Stevens wondered how he would handle racing only two days a week after going through the grind of racing almost daily in California for more than 10 years.

But he is far from bored. He works seven to nine horses five days a week, which includes galloping some of them 1 1/2 to two miles. He also runs, plays golf and works out at the gym.

“The racing is so different here,” he said. “I’m riding against jockeys from every part of the world and seeing all different kinds of styles. It’s nothing I could have ever experienced (in the United States).

“I think it’s going to be beneficial for me in the long run. I didn’t know what the caliber of the horses was going to be like, but I’ve found out the top horses here could compete anywhere.”

Horses are graded from Class 1 to Class 6, and large fields are normal.

“One of the races I won had 14 horses in it, and there were only two lengths separating the winner from the horse that finished last,” Stevens said. “I’d say 75% of the finishes are that close.”

Stevens, who shares a large house overlooking Sha Tin Race Course with agent Ron Anderson, admitted he has had to be careful about his weight. The lowest weight one of his mounts has had to carry since he arrived in Hong Kong was 121 pounds.

“They have the best food I’ve ever had anywhere,” he said, adding that he has added a couple of pounds. “I really have to watch what I eat, but I feel real comfortable and strong.

“One of the things that’s expected of you is to have lunch and dinner with the different owners you ride for about five days a week. You really have to cater to the owners because they want to get to know the jockeys that are riding their horses.”

With Happy Valley closed for renovation, the scene will shift to Sha Tin, where racing will be conducted only once a week. That will allow Stevens a chance to vacation in Bali before perhaps returning to Southern California for a brief stay--he won’t do any riding--in early March. With the trip home might come a little anonymity.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “I would go out at home and some people would recognize you, but here, it’s pretty crazy. Everybody knows about horse racing, and the fans are very intelligent and well informed.”