It seems to have been a long wait, but finally our racing fans can enjoy top international racing action again tonight when our annual International Races Week begins at Happy Valley with the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys’ Championship.
What started off as a single international race in 1988 has now grown into a week-long festival that is considered one of the major events in the world racing calendar, attracting participation from many of the world's leading owners, trainers, jockeys and, of course, horses. We also have dozens of racing media friends in town from all over the world.
I'm happy to see that Hong Kong in the second week of December has steadily become a recognised key target in the race planning of many top connections, who will jump at the chance of a formal invitation to contest the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races.
However, I don't think one should assess the success of this meeting solely by the quality of the contestants, as it also provides an opportunity to strengthen Hong Kong's international reputation through our high standards of hospitality and horse care. We've always had very positive feedback from our visiting horsemen, racing partners and journalists on the support and services they receive throughout the week, which motivates us to keep moving forward and aim to do even better the following year. I hope our visitors will find this year’s International Races Week more rewarding and entertaining than ever.
It's also worth noting that this event will attract an estimated 2,500 visitors to Hong Kong, generating tourism income of some HK$20 million. In addition, the Club will employ some 4,000 extra part-time and temporary staff at the racecourses during the week, giving the local economy a further welcome boost. So everyone in Hong Kong is really a winner from our International Races.
Tonight at Happy Valley, the CXIJC reaches its 13th edition. This year, we've introduced a basic change to the competition format by expanding this jockeys' challenge from three to four legs. We hope this can make it even more competitive and exciting, while giving the participating jockeys a further chance to show our local fans their outstanding skills.
While welcoming back old favourites, we always want to introduce some new faces to the international line-up. This year we will have five CXIJC debutants, namely Anton Marcus from South Africa, Nash Rawiller from Australia, US-based Frenchman Julien Leparoux and the champion jockeys from Singapore and Japan, Joao Moreira and Hiroyuki Uchida. Adding to past champions like Olivier Peslier, Christophe Lemaire, John Murtagh and Douglas Whyte, I believe we can expect one of the fiercest battles to date. So do be sure to join us at Happy Valley this evening and soak up the great atmosphere.
Among the four races in the CXIJC, the first leg appears to be very open. With the expected pace being good to fast, it ensures every runner a fair chance to show its best. Coming back from an injury, Perfect Ten has trialled in Happy Valley and his work has improved recently. Being the race favourite at the moment, and with Moreira on board, I think he has a good chance to get a place finish. Medic Fortune with Prebble, and drawn nicely from Gate 1, as well as Nicku which was drawn next to him and with Whyte on board, will be the other runners with chance for the placings. However, Century Molly will be my top choice in this race. To be partnered by Julien Leparoux tonight, he should still be benefiting from the pace despite being drawn out wide in 12.
In the second leg over the mile, there expects a good pace. Nicely drawn in gate 5, Romancing Tamar is the clear favourite and he should get maximum points for our local representative Howard Cheng. Lemaire on High Luck has a good chance for a place even with draw 12, while Prebble should also be able to pick up some points on Classa as well. Nash Rawiller-ridden Record High has a good draw and I think he will have an outside chance, too.
The expected pace in the third leg is good to slow. This would benefit horses on the pace like Good Luck Win, My Goal, as well as Cars King Prawn. Nordic Star with Prebble is now the clear favourite and has for me a good chance, but I think Hold Hands with Peslier on board will be an even stronger opposition. Other chances for me are Cars King Prawn and My Goal - the six-year-old that will be partnered by Douglas Whyte tonight.
I would say the last leg is the decider of the CXIJC this year. The race is expected to be run at a slow pace. This will benefit horses on the pace, particularly Ho Wongchoy with Douglas Whyte, who is his regular jockey and rode two of his three victories this season. Though he’s up in class and will find a stronger opposition this time, he still has a good place chance. His main opponent should be The Untouchablelad with Prebble who steps up in distance to 1800m. The other horse I like are handicapped by the slow pace like Butterfield with Rawiller and Antipasto with Moreira, but I think they could still run for a place in this race.
In general, my overall pick for the CXIJC are Brett Prebble and Douglas Whyte, but I think Christophe Lemaire and Joao Moreira still have outside chance in this year’s contest. Let’s see who will be the winner and I'll see you all at Happy Valley tonight!
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