Owners have always played a huge part in racing’s success so it was good to attend the 40th annual dinner of the Hong Kong Racehorse Owners’ Association on Monday night.
It was a highly enjoyable occasion designed to recognise the great contribution made by so many people to the sport in general.
As always, we try to ensure that those who enjoy success on the track are suitably rewarded and the next few weeks offer so much in that department.
Today we released the names of the star riders who will be taking part in this year’s LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on 5 December.
The line-up looks incredibly strong with previous winners like Ryan Moore and Zac Purton confirmed and Hugh Bowman will be looking to regain the title he won in 2016 after having his lengthy Melbourne Cup ban reduced on appeal yesterday.
It will also be great to have superstar global riders like Yutaka Take and Javier Castellano with us this year.
They bring with them a combined total of over 9,000 winners from Japan and America, while Christophe Lemaire has had an outstanding season in Japan and will be hoping to continue the amazing run of big-race success he has enjoyed recently in what is the world’s most sought-after jockey challenge.
Tonight’s Happy Valley meeting also has a Japanese theme and Zac Purton will be hoping to extend his lead over Karis Teetan at the top of the jockeys’ table with a strong book of rides, including in the Class 3 Japan Racing Association Trophy at 1200m in Race 6.
Ambitious Heart, Cerefino and Extremely Fun are expected to go forward and set a good pace, while Zac’s mount Country Star has made a big impression as a fast-rising star early in his three-year-old career with two impressive wins over the course and distance.
Little Bird finished second to Country Star last month and has since returned to win impressively. Country Star will be midfield or better in the run and is a win and place chance to register his third consecutive victory.
Buoyant Boy covered ground in his first-up run last month and should improve with a better draw and a better trip from a midfield position. He is a place chance along with Super Leader, who will make his run from the back, and Cerefino should not be forgotten as an outsider with a chance now that he steps up to 1200m.
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