The Australian trainer who helped launch the career of prodigious Hong Kong riding talent Matthew Chadwick says the apprentice is destined to become an international star.Chadwick has been an instant success in the cut-throat environment of Hong Kong racing, booting home his fourth winner at Sha Tin on Sunday.The 18-year-old, who has been riding for less than a year, returned to Hong Kong last month after Australian stints with Brett Bellamy and Maryann Thexton."When he went back I told them ove

The Australian trainer who helped launch the career of prodigious Hong Kong riding talent Matthew Chadwick says the apprentice is destined to become an international star.

Chadwick has been an instant success in the cut-throat environment of Hong Kong racing, booting home his fourth winner at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The 18-year-old, who has been riding for less than a year, returned to Hong Kong last month after Australian stints with Brett Bellamy and Maryann Thexton.

"When he went back I told them over in Hong Kong that down the track Matthew is going to be one of their leading riders," Coffs Harbour-based Bellamy said.

"It might not be straight away but it won't be long."

Chadwick is of Chinese heritage but was adopted by an English couple living in Hong Kong when he was three months old.

Bellamy said he knew he had a rising star on his hands when Chadwick made a history-making debut for the trainer after his indentures were transferred from Gold Coast-based Thexton.

"The first meeting he rode at after starting at my stable he had four winners at Lismore. You've never seen anything like it," Bellamy said.

"Right from the word go you could tell there was something special about him.

"Is he a natural? Yes. But in saying that he knew what he wanted and he worked hard to get it.

"While other kids would be sleeping in the afternoon he would be on the computer studying the form."

Bellamy said Chadwick's insatiable appetite for knowledge would take him a long way.

"He has always looked neat on a horse but the main thing with him is that he is always willing to listen," the trainer said.

"He is like a sponge. Whether it was me, a senior rider or another trainer he always wanted to learn more."

Chadwick is apprenticed to Tony Cruz, the trainer best known for his association with world-class sprinter Silent Witness.

As a jockey, Cruz was Hong Kong champion on six occasions and also rode successfully in Europe.

"He is virtually starting his apprenticeship all over again in Hong Kong," Bellamy said.

"It's not a bad start for a kid who has had 200-plus rides to be competing under those terms with a 10lb allowance."