It was a milestone night at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday when Luk Chin, one of the sport’s most respected competitors, claimed his 200th training victory, and in true Luk Chin fashion, he did it on a horse he bred, trained and rode himself.
The memorable victory came in the Garrards Horse And Hound Handicap Trot with Voronov (Orlando Vici), who exploded like a bullet from the front line and quickly took control of the race. From there Chin dictated the pace perfectly and fended off the late challengers to score by three-quarters of a length.
Dr. A stalwart and iconic figure in the northern racing ranks, Chin has been a well-known and admired presence on the track for more than four decades.
After the race, Track Chat NZ’s Jo Ferguson caught up with him to reflect on his long and successful career.
“I never thought I would get there at my age,” he laughed. “It had to be in Cambridge because I rode my first winner here in 1984.”
Dr. Chin began training in 1980, combining his passion for track racing with his professional career in medicine. Over the years, his dedication to both disciplines has become known within the harness racing community.
VORONOV REPEAT
When asked about the highlight of his career, Dr. Chin as modest as ever.
“Meeting the people in harness racing and just being involved,” he said, “working in medicine is a whole different world, and racing is a big change. Medicine is more mental, always being in and going out with the horses is what balances my life. It’s been great.”
One of the most remarkable aspects of Dr. Chin’s career is that he has never bought a horse; every winner he has ever trained was bred by him.
“I’ve never bought a horse in my life, I’ve bred every winner.”
As for his best horse? He doesn’t like to pick favorites, but one moment clearly stands out.
“They all had their days,” he smiled. “My highlight was probably taking a first trotter to Addington who won the New Zealand Three-Year-Old Trotting Stakes. She was a girl and an outsider, not only did she win but she ran a New Zealand record.”
That was Lady Caballo who ran a time of 3:22.6 in April 1992.
Now, at the age of 82, Dr. Chin shows no signs of slowing down.
“My body complains all the time, but it keeps me going,” he joked. “I’m just working through the pain.”
His love for horses remains as strong as ever and his enthusiasm for the sport is contagious.
“I’m still breeding, so I’ll still be racing when I’m 90,” he laughed. “I have bred, trained and ridden a Group 2 and 3 winner. If I get the Group 1 winner I will hang up my reins, I promise.”
For now, however, harness racing fans can count on Dr. Luk Chin and the horses he bred from scratch will continue to make their mark on the circuit in the coming years.
For full race results, click here.
Through Jordyn Bublitz for Harness Racing New Zealand
#training #victories #Doctor