Luke Middlebrook
The International Jockeys’ Championship takes centre stage at Happy Valley on Wednesday as 12 of the world’s best riders compete for their share of HK$7.5 million in prize money across four races, along with total bonus awards of HK$1 million for the three most successful riders.
Representing Hong Kong is local Vincent Ho, joined by Mauritian Karis Teetan, South African Lyle Hewitson, and three-time IJC winner, Australian Zac Purton. For Great Britain, last year’s IJC winner Tom Marquand returns to defend his title along with wife Hollie Doyle, who was joint-second placed last year, while Ryan Moore aims to add a second IJC trophy to his cabinet after winning it in 2010.
Champion jockey James McDonald represents his native New Zealand, and so does Frenchman Mickael Barzalona, while British-born Rachel King will represent her adopted country, Australia. The 2022 Japan Racing Association champion jockey, Yuga Kawada, returns for his third IJC appearance. Perhaps the event’s most interesting appearance is that of Kazakhstani jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev.
He first rode in Kazakhstan before moving to the Czech Republic, where he won three riding titles. Murzabayev joined the powerful Andreas Wohler yard in 2017 in Germany, capping a remarkable rise by claiming four straight championships from 2019 to 2022. He is now based in France, where he is a retained rider for the legendary figure Andre Fabre.
Meanwhile, trainer Danny Shum could be eyeing the Hong Kong Derby for progressive three-year-old Helene Feeling, but he would need to win and win well in Race 9, the Class 2 Handicap over 1800m to enhance his claims.
Helene Feeling has displayed plenty of promise in his eight starts in Hong Kong, securing three wins and as many placings since his local debut with a rating of 67 in mid-March. Presently rated 88, Helene Feeling is positioned favourably for a Derby start. Yet, should he pass the 1800m test with flying colours on Wednesday which would potentially elevate his rating into the 90s, his credentials would be further bolstered.
Despite a visually disappointing fourth-place finish over 1650m in the last race, Helene Feeling’s run was solid given the circumstances. Positioned second-last at the 400m in a race dictated by a leader setting a slow pace, Helene Feeling was strong late against the race shape, finishing just 1.50 lengths behind. - HKJC
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Hercules turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into fifth on his first start in Class 5. From barrier 1, if he can make use of it, he appears a winning chance. Valhalla well supported last start and won accordingly by a margin. With the right run from gate 6, he should go close. H Z Tourbillon good performance when storming home for third place last start. Well placed in Class 5 but has drawn horribly wide. Goodmanship backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again. Noir Rider good performance when storming home for a nice second last start.
Race 2: Loyal Ambition good performance when storming home for a nice second last start after he had excuses early when checked. Happy Jai Jai nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance. He has had plenty of chances of late, hasn’t won a race for 644 days, but has been going close. Charmander down in class in this race and should perform better, start to follow. Medic Elite stable is in great form of late and so respect here, always a chance in a race like this. Double Show recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Still a maiden, but has been performing well.
Race 3: Turin Warrior looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. To be fair, he appeared to have every chance last start, but still got beat. One more chance this week! Lucky Gold drops down in grade and start following. With luck from his wide gate, he should be in the mix. Fearless Fire has finished close up recently and can run well from a low draw. Amazing Boy never far away from the winner and could sneak a place. Barrier 1 suits his chances. Simply Maverick best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. He can go on with it.
Race 4: Galvanic had excuses last start and can improve from a much better draw. Savvy Delight drawn well here and should be in the finish. Hasn’t won a race for 623 days now but looks to get plenty of favours here and is good enough if he shows up. Super Commander drops down in grade and start following. He will vie for the lead and has a bit of a class edge on some of these. Super Fast Dragon good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Amazing Ace go on solid previous effort where form looked okay. Drawn better here and can improve.
Race 5: M Unicorn more than capable of winning again in this race after posting his second career win stylishly last start. Drawn well low in barrier 4, he should receive every chance. Red Hare King last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. He had barrier 11 last start but comes into gate 3 here, which should make a world of difference. Club Soda having third start for the Size yard and may improve here from barrier 1. Snowalot has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Sure Joyful good performance when storming home for a nice second last start
Race 6: Wide-open race here with every runner a winning chance. Party Warrior looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start. If he can make use of barrier 1, he should get more favours than most. Kilindini had no luck last start racing wide in Class 3. Returns to Class 4, draws low, and will give a sight. Lyrical Motion changed stables recently and has improved. Healthy Healthy showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. Diamond Diamond good performance when storming home for third place last start. Should map soft from gate 3 to pounce late.
Race 7: Quantum Patch more than capable of winning again in this race after scoring his first local with the utmost of ease last start. More to come from this Ng-trained galloper. Flying Mojito can improve second-up from a break after a better run than it reads into sixth first-up. Sixth Generation has a good record over this track and distance and should get the right run from barrier 2. Silver Sonic had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Ivy League had genuine excuses last start but won well two starts ago. Barrier 12 is his query here.
Race 8: Gameplayer Elite has been steadily improving and do not dismiss. Ready to figure third-up from a low gate. Lucky Archangel has improved since the blinkers were added, winning his last three races. Tomodachi Kokoroe should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. If rated well enough, he could stave them all off. Kaholo Angel rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Solar Partner talented galloper who is resuming from a break and should be running a race first-up.
Race 9: Helene Feeling had no luck last start but keep following. He gets a better draw and here and JMac in the saddle is key to his chances. He should be bouncing back to his winning ways here and asserting himself as a Derby contender. Hameron last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. The Best Peach generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Rising From Ashes winner of last two starts and is a big chance here. Tourbillon Diamond good performance when returning to form last start and barrier No 1 suits.