And so we come to the night that perhaps shows off the colour and excitement of Hong Kong racing more vividly than any other.
The list of riders who have won the International Jockeys’ Championship features some incredible names and this year’s line-up is surely one of the best we have ever had.
It is remarkable to think that Frankie Dettori won the first of his three IJC titles way back in 1999 but he remains at the peak of his powers aged 48.
It’s great to see him back riding here after an epic year of 19 G1 successes and, in talking to him on Tuesday, he left me in no doubt that being part of such an exceptional line-up was a key factor in persuading him to return to Happy Valley for the first time since 2011.
Zac Purton has pushed Frankie hard for a long way in the race for the World’s Best Jockey title and heads a powerful quartet of Hong Kong riders completed by Joao Moreira, Karis Teetan and Vincent Ho.
Let’s hope Vincent recovers from a late injury scare as he deserves another chance to become the first homegrown IJC winner, while Silvestre de Sousa needs no introduction after storming away with last year’s competition with a record 34 points.
Ryan Moore speaks for himself as a dual IJC winner, Colin Keane made a very good impression by finishing second on his debut last year and Oisin Murphy is on the crest of a wave after following his first UK championship with a thrilling Japan Cup success last week.
Add in multiple G1-winning riders like Yuga Kawada, Pierre-Charles Boudot and James McDonald and it is very clear that this year’s IJC winner will have achieved something very special indeed.
The whole idea of this competition is to place the spotlight on superstar riders and act as something very different to whet the appetite ahead of Sunday’s Hong Kong International Races.
This year’s event will set the scene perfectly for the week ahead and, once again, I am sure the combination of an exceptional cast and a spectacular setting will make for a show that will be enjoyed all over the world.
The fourth and final leg of the IJC is a highly competitive Class 2 over 1800m and will be run as the eighth race. There is no clear leader but Ruthven is likely to push forward from his inside draw under Ryan Moore to make the running along with Turin Redstar. The pace will be moderate and horses coming from the back may be at a slight disadvantage.
Green Luck must carry maximum weight after coming off a good effort at Sha Tin in his last start. He is well drawn and is a horse that prefers Happy Valley. Jockey Yuga Kawada should enjoy a good ground-saving run from about midfield and is a solid place chance.
High Rev is the likely favourite off consecutive wins in Class 3 and comes into the race in career best form with Karis Teetan picking up the ride. He will do his running from the back and will be closing over the concluding stages. He is a win and place chance along with the in-form Happy Dragon, with Frankie riding, and Glorious Artist with Vincent Ho, both place chances.
This marks the first time since 2001 that a Class 2 race has been part of the IJC and it will be an exciting finale. As at noon today, Teetan, Moore, Moreira, Boudot and Kawada are the leading five contenders in tonight’s Jockey Challenge market. The pool will be limited to the four IJC legs over races 4, 5, 7 and 8 and betting on the night will be available until the start of Race 7.
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