Darley ends Hong Kong stint Former British champion jockey Kevin Darley`s intended stint as a Hong Kong club rider in the New Year has come to a premature end, it emerged today.The Hong Kong Jockey Club today announced it had approved Darley`s request for a release.Personal reasons were cited by Darley and these were accepted.The move means he will no longer be required in the January 3rd to March 17th period.Darley took part in the International Jockeys` Championship at Happy Valley on December 12 in which he was 11th of 12 behind Frankie Dettori.The British rider also rode on the International Races card at Sha Tin last Sunday and was fifth on the Mick Blanshard-trained runner The Trader in the Sprint.Darley had previously ridden as a Hong Kong club rider in the 1996-97 season when he rode five winners from 70 rides.Meanwhile, Corey Nakatani has appealed against the severity of his five-day ban imposed for careless riding on Forbidden Apple in the Hong Kong Mile last Sunday.The American rider can ride again pending the outcome of his appeal.
