Leading rider Van Niekerk has licence withdrawn with immediate effect

One of the most promising recent starts to a Hong Kong riding career has come to a jarring halt after the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced that Grant van Niekerk's licence has been withdrawn with immediate effect.

The South African jockey, 28, was enjoying a fine second season – fifth in the jockeys' table with 37 winners worth around £5m in prize money – but his stay has come to an abrupt end with a press release which stating that his dismissal was due to a "conduct-related matter which does not pertain to any race riding or other racing integrity related matter."

Local media are reporting that a domestic dispute is at the heart of the issue. Andrew Harding, the Club's executive director of racing, said: "There's never been any police involvement in anything that has led the Club to make the decision."

Strong pace should suit Stronger ideally

Zac Purton trails Joao Moreira by 95-97 at the top of the HK jockeys' table and the big two have their usual share of strong chances on Wednesday's Happy Valley card.

Purton comes in for a decent spare when replacing van Niekerk aboard Young Legend (2.15), while the in-form Diamond Brilliant looks one of Moreira's strongest chances.

Moreira partners the former John Gosden-trained Seven Heavens in a hot-looking Class 2 finale (3.50) but Purton holds the edge here aboard Stronger.

Joao Moreira: has eight rides at Happy Valley on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images

John Moore's three-year-old was very impressive when setting a new Class 3 track record over course and distance in February and seemed to see too much daylight from a wide draw at Sha Tin on his latest start.

A return to Happy Valley should suit and, with Moment Of Power, Winner Supreme and This Is Class likely to force a demanding pace, the tactical setup of this £200,000 handicap looks very much in his favour.

Size faces dilemma after Waikuku flop

The problem with dress rehearsals is that things often fail to go to plan and several members of Hong Kong's A-List left Sha Tin in rueful mood on Sunday night.

Waikuku: has won six times in Sha TinCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Waikuku's relentless progress came to a halt with a rare dull effort when sixth behind Beauty Generation in the Chairman's Trophy. His trainer John Size now faces an awkward choice ahead of the Champions Mile.

Pushing on to the £2m contest in just over two weeks means putting Waikuku through a barrier trial but Size has never been known for rushing horses.

Need to lead puts wayward Aethero under a cloud

Least said, soonest mended is probably the best way to sum up Aethero's torrid run behind Voyage Warrior and Hot King Prawn in Sunday's Sprint Cup.

Aethero: disappointed at Sha Tin on SundayCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Evidence is building to suggest that nothing good happens when the hulking youngster can't lead round a bend and, after missing the break and copping a hefty bump as the stalls opened, he refused to relax and finished last of the eight runners.

John Moore has one last chance to win a G1 with Aethero before he leaves Hong Kong in July and landing the Chairman's Sprint Prize just three weeks after this heavy defeat would rank upsides anything in his long training career.

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