SCMP.....
Chui too big for his boots, says fed-up Ferraris
MURRAY BELL
Apprentice Marco Chui Kwan-lai has had an acrimonious split from his allocated trainer David Ferraris and been benched by stipendiary stewards, causing him to forfeit three rides at Happy Valley tomorrow night.
Ferraris told stewards on Sunday that he no longer wished to have Chui allocated to his yard, complaining of the youngster's "bad attitude" and repeated failure to attend afternoon stables.
Yesterday, stewards dissolved the relationship and suspended Chui for three meetings for breach of agreement. Expressions of interest from trainers who might want to take over Chui's career were called, with Tony Cruz a short-priced favourite to gain his services.
Ferraris said last night Chui had been wanting to move to Cruz's yard for some time, accusing the apprentice of getting "a swelled head" after riding 34 winners.
"Between my father [South African trainer Ormond Ferraris] and myself, we have had a lot of top apprentices over the years, including a champion in Weichong Marwing, so I think we know something about the subject," Ferraris said. "Marco now seems to think he's too good to be riding the horses in my yard, and if that's his attitude, he may as well go to Mr Cruz.
"All I know from my many years in the game is that when people get swelled heads like this, and carried away with their own ability, they usually come down to earth with a big thud."
Ferraris told stewards yesterday he had become increasingly disappointed with the attitude displayed by Chui and, in particular, his failure to attend the stables in the afternoons as required.
Ferraris' assistant, Joe Tai Lap-keung, confirmed to stewards that he had spoken to Chui on two occasions regarding his non-attendance at the stables in the afternoons and had also expressed these concerns to Amy Chan Lim-chee, headmistress of the apprentice jockeys' school.
Chan told the hearing she had advised Chui to ensure he was present at the stables when he was not required by the school to be present at other activities.
Chui pleaded guilty to having breached the Apprentice Indenture Agreement Regulations, both late last season and again at the start of the current season. He was suspended until September 27, effective immediately - a stretch that will incorporate three race days.