Fresh off graduating from his apprenticeship last week, Angus Chung Yik-lai is already battling the challenges of having his claim reduced and says he is “working harder” to prove himself once again.

Chung collected his 70th Hong Kong win when he stormed to victory aboard the Tony Cruz-trained Colourful Emperor at Happy Valley on May 1 before adding two more wins to his tally at the city circuit on Wednesday.

After seeing support dry up from owners since his claim was reduced from five pounds to three, Chung says he is ready for the next chapter in his career.

“It was great to graduate and especially to do it in the last race on the card,” Chung said. “I waited the whole night to get that winner. My family were very happy and it was very memorable for all of us.

“It’s been going very well this season, but I feel like after I’ve graduated the support is getting a little bit less and the number of quality horses is getting a bit less.

“Right now I’m trying very hard to get on the quality horses and have more winners.”

Sitting fourth in the jockeys’ championship on 41 wins behind Zac Purton, Karis Teetan and Hugh Bowman, Chung has continued to tick off the successes throughout the season and is on track for his first Tony Cruz Award.

Chung has an 11-win buffer on Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, who has been absent for parts of the season through injury, as he bids to be crowned the leading local jockey of the season.

Derek Leung Ka-chun (19 wins), Matthew Chadwick (18) and Ellis Wong Chi-wang (17) are fighting it out for third place with 18 meetings left in the season.

Chung has been effective at both tracks this term, collecting 19 victories at Sha Tin and 22 at the city circuit, with the bulk of his rides coming for his old boss Tony Cruz.

The 27-year-old rider has returned 15 winners from 199 rides for Cruz this season and has also received good support from championship leader Pierre Ng Pang-chi (41 rides), Dennis Yip Chor-hong (32) and Me Tsui Yu-sak (27).

On the other hand, David Hall, Caspar Fownes and Francis Lui Kin-wai have only called upon Chung’s services twice in the 2023-24 campaign, while the young jockey has also only hopped aboard three David Hayes-trained gallopers.

Understanding the challenges of having his claim reduced, Chung is hoping to kick on for the remainder of the season.

“Now claiming less than I was, owners have more choices when picking a jockey so I’m working harder,” Chung said. “It is harder, when I claimed five [pounds] people wanted me to ride their horses, but I feel like I need to try and find the horses now which is a little bit different. But it’s a good challenge.”

Chung has his smallest book since January at Sha Tin on Saturday afternoon, partnering Go Hero, Super Highway, Outgate, Happy Daily and Grand Boss.