The LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) is one of the annual highlights of the Hong Kong racing season and this year’s competition shapes as no exception with the presence of a string of world-class riders at Happy Valley on 4 December.
The 10 confirmed jockeys – led by Ryan Moore, James McDonald, Zac Purton, Hollie Doyle, Mickael Barzalona, William Buick, Rachel King, Yuga Kawada, Colin Keane and defending champion Vincent Ho – bring a wealth of international accomplishments and class.
As one of three previous winners of the LONGINES IJC in this year’s field along with Zac and Ryan, Vincent created history last season as the first home-grown rider to win this elite competition.
After an indifferent start to the 2024/25 Hong Kong season, Vincent has surged into third place in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 13 wins to sit behind only Zac (32 wins) and Hugh Bowman (19) after 17 meetings.
Hollie and Rachel will be eager to become the first female LONGINES IJC champion, while Mickael, William, Yuga, Colin and James will chase breakthrough success in one of the world’s most prized jockey competitions.
The two remaining places will be filled by Hong Kong-based jockeys, depending on the jockey standings on 20 November.
Soon to arrive in Hong Kong for a short-term stint, James is yet to add the LONGINES IJC crown to his imposing portfolio of achievements, but he is riding in tremendous form with five winners so far across the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Given his appetite for success, I am certain sure James will be keen to add his name to the honour roll of a competition which is one of the competitive high points during LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) week.
The LONGINES IJC is always a fiercely contested event and sets the tone for the LONGINES HKIR, which features the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$24 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
Racing’s penchant for producing surprise results continued at Flemington on Tuesday (5 November) with KNIGHT’S CHOICE’s victory in the G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) for co-trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon and jockey Robbie Dolan.
A 107-1 outsider, KNIGHT’S CHOICE defied an international field in Australia’s most famous staying race, while Andrea Atzeni rode a brilliant race on ZARDOZI to finish fourth ahead of Zac on LAND LEGEND (eighth) with Karis Teetan 18th of the 23 runners on MOSTLY CLOUDY.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the feature race is the Class 2 High Island Handicap which is carded as Race 9 and run at 10.50pm for prizemoney of HK$3.12 million.
The pace will be good with TELECOM FIGHTERS under Keagan De Melo going forward to lead from gate three. KEEFY (Matthew Poon) should be camped behind the leader, with FLAMINGO TRILLION (Derek Leung) and YELLOWFIN (Lyle Hewitson) both settling on the speed.
FLAMINGO TRILLION ran well when resuming in the race won by WOODFIRE BRO on 18 September when he raced on the pace and fought on well in the straight.
FLAMING TRILLION has been at Conghua since and looked good in a recent trial for Derek Leung who should have him in a good spot from his middle draw. FLAMING TRILLION is a win and place chance.
Danny Shum has engaged Zac Purton to ride CHILL CHIBI for the first time. His seasonal reappearance over this course and trip was good when a close fifth to WOODFIRE BRO before he switched to the All Weather and was again fifth but well beaten behind SWORD POINT. CHILL CHIBI had an easy trial with Zac aboard two weeks ago and he is a place chance.
TURIN MASCOT is working very well and will have to come from the back from barrier 11 with Alexis Badel but is a place chance.
WOODFIRE BRO finished last season on a winning note at this course and distance and resumed in the same manner, beating most of his rivals here when running home strongly in the concluding stages. WOODFIRE BRO is rising in the ratings but can run well again and is a place chance for Keith Yeung who is riding in great form.
This is a deep race with lots of other runners with claims including RED HARE KING, STAR CONTACT, last start winner CAPITAL DELIGHT and YELLOWFIN, who is at risk of being caught wide.
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