Kong living his dream at the racetrack
RACING officials are a part of a large team or support group working behind the scenes to produce a successful horse racing programme.
The stewards, racing secretary, racing manager, and horsemen’s bookkeeper, and others, create and implement the daily show, while numerous officials outside, on the track, such as veterinarians, starters, and patrol judges, are among others who work closely with the horses and jockeys.
Kirk Kong, currently a patrol judge at Caymanas Park, has been prominent in the racing industry and has given his services and commitment to the sport for over 40 years.
Patrol judges observe horse races at the track, keeping an eye out for any violation or safety threat. They inform stewards, who have the final say about whether any actions are to be taken regarding rule violations or race results.
The 64-year-old Kong, who has held numerous positions in the industry, appears to have mostly fulfilled a life-long dream.
“I have been in horse racing for 41 years now. Since I left school, I have dedicated myself to horses. My brother was a jockey and his name was Davey Northover. He was a very good rider as well, and his father, Rudolph Northover, was a trainer, so you could see the bloodline.
“I worked with the Track & Pool department for 35 years. The second week after I got the job I was given race track duties as an assistant clerk of the paddock by Howard Abrahams, who was, at the time, the person in charge of the Track & Pool, and I was there for many years.
“Today I am here as a patrol judge, a trainee steward. I adore horses in general; I can predict when they will win and when they will lose. I know that, from one look, that’s a winner. Some horses just have three or four furlongs in their hoofs, while some horses can go two miles. I know all of this as I know horses very well,” Kong told the Jamaica Observer.
“While observing horse races, patrol judges must note any suspicion of rule violations, lame or unfit horses, improper racing equipment, complaints, or anything else that may unjustly affect the outcome of the race.
“My job is at the winning post. I have a binocular, a powerful binocular, that can watch any race from the start. I see who jumped badly and who got hindered. But most
Patrol Judge Kirl Kong records information he observed during the races. of my work is from the last three furlongs coming up to the winning post,” he said.
“Two horses are battling... the one on the left drifted right and made it uncomfortable for the one on the right. I have to report those things. And say, for instance, that the one on the left beats that horse on the right, that horse would be disqualified and the numbers are switched around, so that’s the main thing I have to do,” he explained.
“I also see jockeys when they are not riding their mounts on merit. There are a lot of things to be seen, and it is left to you to decide what you want to report or what you have to report. My job is a very important one,” Kong added.
Kong said he would like to play a part in other fields in the industry before he calls it quits.
“If I don’t get the chance to be a steward, for sure, I will be a racehorse trainer in a couple of years, and so I am hoping for the best as I love my work and I am working and I am keeping it up to the best of my ability.
“I used to tip in the Track & Pool, and I tipped winners for fun. If I was tipping in the Track & Pool at the time, I would have been the only tipster that would have tipped King Arthur, who won the Derby at odds of 26-1. I know that he loves the mud and rain fell from the night before, and I told the trainer and everyone that this horse loved the mud and would win,” said Kong.
Kong then gave his thoughts on his favourite riders.
“My favourite jockey is Shane Ellis. I just love how he rides horses and sets his horses intelligently — no wonder they called him Canter Man. My second — favourite jockey is Aaron Chatrie, then Omar Walker, and now you have some young chaps coming on like Dane Dawkins and Anthony Thomas — who is in a class by himself,” he said.