Observers from afar might not realise how tough it is for some riders to break into Hong Kong racing so the terrific start for Ireland's champion rider Dylan Browne McMonagle might not come as so much of a surprise.
He is a big talent who has come a long way fast in his native land but many a good jockey will attest how little that counts when anyone lands in Hong Kong. In fact, past record is irrelevant to the quirky tastes of owners and trainers, especially for jockeys from England and Ireland.
The landscape in Hong Kong has long been dominated by riders from South Africa and  Australia, where races are run in a similar fashion, and, to a lesser extent, the French.
The local view has been that English or Irish riders are regarded with suspicion until they really prove themselves at Sha Tin and Happy Valley.
Ryan Moore is an exception who is well-received and one or two others have withstood the grind to find acceptance over time but, fresh off the boat, it's always tough.
No doubt, McMonagle has been helped by champion trainer John Size being happy to use him but his five wins now have come for three different trainers and that's a good start.
He has not been done any favours with his mounts either. Just 10 of his 51 rides have been 11.0 or less, and five victories have easily outstripped his 2.37 wins expected by the betting market (Xwins) and he has surged into the top five on our jockey ratings, albeit off a small smaple, and top four if we disregard occasional visitor James McDonald.
On the trainers' list, John Size continues to loom in the rear view mirror for the championship leaders, with Sunday's treble creeping him into the top five and he is verging on taking the lead in our ratings.

(Note, apprentice jockey ratings reflect performances with their allowance "built in". As their claim reduces and they compete on a more equal footing, we expect their rating to deteriorate unless they are top class riders.)
​These ratings are updated regularly and designed to reflect current form but with past figures also putting a brake on hot-streak performers or uplifting a long-term quality player having a quiet run.