The LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley tonight (7 December) marks the staging of one of the most important – and long-anticipated – events in the Hong Kong horseracing season.
Even with unfortunate last-minute issues caused by COVID-19, I am delighted with the world-class line-up of riders assembled to contest the four-race series which will again be fiercely contested at our iconic city track.
I am sorry that Mickael Barzalona, Yuga Kawada and Jye McNeil have been sidelined because of COVID-19, however the presence at Happy Valley tonight of Ryan Moore, Hollie Doyle, Jamie Kah, James McDonald, Tom Marquand, Zac Purton, Vincent Ho, Silvestre de Sousa, Matthew Chadwick, Hugh Bowman, Lyle Hewitson and Derek Leung jousting for the coveted LONGINES IJC crown shapes as one of the season highlights.
Almost everywhere one looks, there are storylines, subplots and, in several cases, history about to unfold.
Zac is chasing a record fourth title, Ryan is searching for a record-equalling third crown, Hollie and Jamie – the world’s two most eminent female riders – compete against each other for the first time as they attempt to become the first women to win LONGINES IJC, while Hugh and Silvestre are looking to win the title for a second time.
Factor in the ambitions of home-grown Hong Kong representatives Vincent, Matthew and Derek and the elite skills of Tom and James and all the elements are there for a fantastic night’s racing.
The IJC will be decided on the basis of the most points accumulated across the four races with 12 points awarded for a win, six for second and four for third place and, at the time of publishing, Zac is $2.75 favourite to win the IJC and also the Jockeys’ Challenge which has been specially modified to be run across the four legs of the IJC. Hugh is next at $4.75, from Silvestre ($8) and Matthew ($8).
The first leg of the series is Race 4 at 8:10pm for Class 4 horses over 1000m.
The short course races over 1000m at Happy Valley are always run at a fast tempo. Circuit Seven has good speed out of the gates and should be able to find the front with Charming Steed, drawn gate two also looking to take up a forward position for Lyle Hewitson.
Circuit Seven had to work extremely hard from a wide gate two starts ago when fading in the straight and again drew wide last start when sitting outside the leader and eventual winner Amazing Rocky, when holding on for second place beaten narrowly. From gate five Circuit Seven can find the front and the rails and I make him a win and place chance for Derek Leung.
Supreme Lucky, with Zac Purton, and Forte, for Hugh Bowman, are also chances.
The second leg of the IJC is Race 5 at 8:40pm for Class 4 horses over 1650m.
There doesn’t appear to be a lot of tempo in the race with My Intelligent drawn the outside gate likely to stride forward as it did last start and set the speed with Free Foal and Kung Fu Tea also looking to go forward and race near the front.
Spicy Grill has not had a lot of luck in his last two starts coming from back in the field when finishing strongly to beat all but Rainbow Light and last start didn’t have a lot of luck in the straight when third to Sunny Delight on 23 November. From gate five for Tom Marquand, I make him a win and place chance.
Win Win Fighter for Derek Leung and Royal Pride with Hugh Bowman are also chances from their inside draws.
The third leg of the IJC is Race 7 at 9:40pm and is for Class 3 horses over 1650m.
Good pace should be generated early with course specialist Red Majesty likely to go forward from gate six and The Anomaly and Viva Hunter also looking to race on speed from wide gates.
Packing Famous has been runner-up at two runs this season and was narrowly beaten by The Anomaly this course and distance on 20 September. He has had an extended break at Conghua since then and has been working well and I make him a win and place chance for Zac Purton.
Red Majesty for Lyle Hewitson and Rising From Ashes for Hollie Doyle are also place chances in a race that brings together a field of many winning hopes.
The final leg of the series will be Race 8 at 10:10pm and is for Class 3 horses over 1200m.
There is plenty of early speed in the race with Adios, California Vanes and Red Lion all likely to look for the lead.
Red Lion was making his Hong Kong debut when driven forward from the outside gate to lead when fourth to Excellent Peers on 16 November. He will have taken improvement from that effort and looked good in a trial last week. I make him a win and place chance for Jamie Kah.
In a race where there are a number of winning chances, I also make Adios for Silvestre de Sousa and Xponential for Zac Purton place chances.
With a truly world-class line up of jockeys, it will come down to the rider who displays the greatest skill and judgement on the night to claim the 2022 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship.
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