With the cut-off for qualification for the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) arriving after next Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting (26 November), every meeting has taken on added significance, starting with tonight’s Happy Valley card.
Zac Purton is already assured a place in the star-studded line-up as our champion jockey, leaving two remaining spots available: one for the leading homegrown rider and one for the highest-ranked jockey in the overall standings behind Zac, who leads the 2025/26 championship standings with 37 wins.
Currently, Luke Ferraris holds a narrow advantage in the race for the open spot, sitting on 15 wins, two clear of Hugh Bowman on 13. Alexis Badel (12) and Karis Teetan (11) remain within striking range.
Luke has four rides tonight with I CAN in Race 9 representing his best chance. Hugh’s healthy book of eight features HIGHLAND RAHY (Race 9), Alexis’ six include ABSOLUTE AWAKENED (Race 4) and among Karis’ seven is GENIUS BABY (Race 1), each of whom are their best chances to score. Tonight’s action could easily reshape the leaderboard before the weekend.
The homegrown race is equally tight. Vincent Ho leads on eight wins, with Jerry Chau, Matthew Poon and Matthew Chadwick one behind on seven. Matthew Poon’s recent surge – sparked by a double at Happy Valley earlier this month – has brought him back into strong contention for a coveted IJC berth.
Vincent has six rides at tonight’s meeting and RUN RUN TIMING (Race 3) is the stand-out. Jerry has six including APOLAR FIGHTER (Race 2), Matthew Poon has five including WINNING MACHINE (Race 5), and among Matthew Chadwick’s four, CRYSTAL POWERFUL (Race 1) are each of their best chances. It’s all to play for and the IJC race is providing added intrigue to the next three race meetings.
This thrilling qualification battle is unfolding as the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races draw ever closer. Sunday’s BOCHK Raceday at Sha Tin will provide a crucial tune-up for many of Hong Kong’s top contenders on the marquee day, including ROMANTIC WARRIOR, VOYAGE BUBBLE and KA YING RISING, as momentum builds towards 14 December.
Hong Kong, China’s athletes have delivered a truly remarkable campaign at the 15th National Games, with the city achieving a record eight gold medals so far, surpassing the previous best of two golds. Hong Kong’s athletes have displayed resilience, professionalism and the competitive spirit that defines Hong Kong on the national sporting stage.
Among the latest tranche of gold medals, few resonated more strongly than the men’s rugby sevens team’s historic win in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy Rugby Sevens Competition in front of an electric home crowd at Kai Tak Stadium. As part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, the team will receive HK$1.5 million, a reflection of our commitment to recognising excellence and supporting athletes at every stage of their careers.
Sincere congratulations to swimmer Ian Ho, who claimed gold in the men’s 50-metre freestyle, and to Siobhan Haughey, who doubled her gold medal tally at these Games with victory in the women’s 100m freestyle. Hong Kong has a new track cycling hero in the form of Ceci Lee Sze-wing, who grabbed her second and third gold medals in the madison event alongside Chloe Leung Wing-yee and the women’s omnium.
With a total of 17 medals already secured and more events to come, this year’s National Games will be remembered as a breakthrough moment for the city.
The spotlight at Happy Valley tonight falls on Race 9, the Class 3 Causeway Bay Handicap (1650m), which gets underway at 10.50pm when a competitive field lines up for the HK$2.05 million contest.
A genuine tempo can be expected with HIGHLAND RAHY (Hugh Bowman) likely to roll forward from gate two. DEFINITIVE (Karis Teetan) should track the leader, while STAR CONTACT (Ellis Wong) and OUTGATE (Angus Chung) will settle in the leading division.
SOUTH STAR (Zac Purton) will look to slot into a midfield position. He impressed last start over this course and distance when he raced clear and safely held A AMERIC TE SPECSO. He appeared to have plenty in hand that day and shapes as a win and place chance tonight.
HIGHLAND RAHY returns from Conghua after a luckless run last time out when a wide draw prevented him from crossing to lead. His prior form was strong, and with Hugh back on board I make him a place chance.
FANTASTIC FUN (Matthew Chadwick) maintained his unbeaten Happy Valley record when launching late to collar SAMARKAND last time out. He rises in class but drops in weight, and the Valley specialist rates as a place chance.
SOLID WIN (Jerry Chau) also warrants consideration. He made a winning return on 21 September and closed off well again last time out to finish fourth to SKY HEART. Both of those runs were over 1400m, but the step up to 1650m tonight should present no issues after a spell in Conghua, especially considering an impressive recent trial. He has a good draw for his Happy Valley debut and is a place chance with Jerry aboard.
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