In most European countries, the flat racing season usually starts around March and ends in November. During the winter months, more and more European jockeys in the past few years have been willing to accept invitations from Asia, particularly Hong Kong and Japan, and take a short riding stint in this region. I'm sure you'll well remember the successful spells enjoyed by the likes of Christophe Soumillon and Johan Victoire in Hong Kong in recent seasons.
This year, apart from veteran Frenchman Gerald Mossé, we have issued Club jockey licences to two new faces from Europe, so that they can get a taste of Hong Kong racing during the winter months. British jockey Neil Callan is one of them. Back in England, Neil has ridden more than 100 winners in each of the past seven seasons, a consistent performance that has earned him support from established trainers like Michael Jarvis and Kevin Ryan.
Neil has already been riding in Hong Kong for three race days, having started here in mid-November, and although he has yet to claim his first winner, I know he has impressed many local racing fans and media with his performances, notably on China Good and King Galileo. I hope it won't be long before he makes his breakthrough on Hong Kong turf.
In recent seasons we are committed to invite more talented young riders to come riding in Hong Kong and take part in our high standard races. This winter, there will be a new face from France as we have granted a Club Jockey license to Maxime Guyon. The 21-year-old has also arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday. Back in June when I attended the Royal Ascot race meeting to give my support to Joy And Fun and Happy Zero in the Golden Jubilee Stakes, I had the chance to watch Maxime riding at the same meeting. Having just tasted his first French Derby success with Lope De Vega a fortnight ago, he was looking full of confidence, and showed his calibre with an emphatic victory on board Byword in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. I immediately thought how great it would be for our fans if we could entice this talented jockey to come and ride in Hong Kong.
We're glad that Maxime has now accepted that invitation and will start riding here at this afternoon's race meeting at Sha Tin race. I know that while attending his first morning trackwork yesterday, he told media that although he has never engaged in races on the two tracks, he thought that the Sha Tin track and related facilities are of international standard. With the Happy Valley track being known for its sharp turns and tight race pattern, Maxime said he is pleased to take this new challenge, and will be doing his best during his stay in Hong Kong this time. Today, Maxime has six rides on the card while Neil has seven. I hope you will all show your strong support to both of them, and that they will soon enjoy some good results.
Meanwhile, you may have notice on the news bulletins in recent days that Europe has been badly affected recently by a cold snap. Heavy snowfall caused some major European airports like Gatwick and Edinburgh to be closed in midweek, while road and rail transport in my homeland Germany were severely disrupted, too. I hope the weather will not continue to deteriorate, otherwise it could affect the horse transportation and flight schedules of some of our European contenders for the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races. As you might imagine, we are keeping a very close watch on the situation.
Although our own Hong Kong Observatory is forecasting a cold spell here early next week, fortunately our weather never gets as severe as in European winters. This time of year, when the humidity drops and it's still relatively warm, is really the perfect weather for enjoying a day at the races, so please encourage your friends and family members to come along!
This afternoon at Sha Tin we have arranged seven races on the all-weather track, and three other events on turf. In the Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup, we have only a field of 10 but the event is a very open race between some of our top all-weather track specialists in Hong Kong. The overnight tote favourite is True Intelligence who is in very good form and the good to slow pace should give him a good chance to find a good spot behind the pace, but I am concerned if the distance of 1650m stretches his stamina. Mighty Sun has proven form over course, distance and surface. With Felix Coetzee on board, he will be one of the leading contenders in the field. Personally, I’m most interested to see how Union's Star, who lost only by a short head and settled for second last time, performs when he starts from Gate 2 today. Other runners like Ole Ole and Vigor Delight can also finish close in this competitive race.
In the Ashley Handicap, it’s expected to be run at a fast pace which will make it difficult for Amadeo from Gate 10 to hit the front. The leaders should be Watch What Happens who is coming back to form and Windicator Returns who is in my opinion one of the main chances. But I think King of Hearts is the runner with best chance in this 1200m event, as he is drawn perfectly in Gate 1 and meets Windicator Returns six pound better off - due to the effect that Windicator Returns got three pounds more weight after the win, and three pounds for apprentice Vincent Ho after having his claim reduced from 10 to seven pounds. Consistent performer Loads of Joy, as well as Coetzee-ridden outsider My Whisky, should be in the finish, too.
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