Returning to Hong Kong for a short-term riding stint, Ryan Moore could determine the outcome of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge at Happy Valley on Wednesday when the champion jockey partners two of the four horses still in contention for overall success in the series.
A four-time winner of the Longines World’s Best Jockey Award in 2014, 2016, 2021 and 2023, Moore rides current DBS x Manulife Million Challenge leader Soleil Fighter (50 points) in the Class 3 Tsui Man Handicap (1650m) and fourth-placed Eternal Fortune (40) in the Class 3 King Kwong (1000m).
Both of Moore’s mounts – along with I Can (42) and Aurora Lady (36) – can potentially win the series, which is decided on a format of 15 points for winning, six points for second, four for third and three for fourth.
Gustosisimo, who is not racing in the series finale, is currently in second place overall with 42 points. Connections of the winning horse will receive HK$1 million with HK$350,000 to the runner-up and HK$150,000 for third.
Looking ahead to a three-meeting stint, which includes the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, Moore is delighted to be back in Hong Kong, where he has twice won the International Jockeys’ Championship (2009 & 2010) and a string of the city’s elite races.
“The Club reached out to me and I’m always happy to come here, it’s a privilege to ride in Hong Kong with the competitive racing. It’s the best-run racing in the world, so whenever you are asked to come here, I will,” Moore said after riding Sunny Da Best in a trial at Sha Tin yesterday morning.
“I’m grateful to have the opportunity. I’ve been off for a couple of months. I rode in Saudi Arabia at the weekend. That was the first time I rode since the Arima Kinen (in Japan in December). The body is fine and it’s nice to get going again. We start the season back home in the middle of March, so the timing was right to get going again and to come to Hong Kong.”
David Hayes snapped up Moore’s services for Soleil Fighter after deciding to back up the gelding following his third at the city circuit last Wednesday.
“It’s a pleasure to have a world-class rider on and I’m really happy to be using Ryan. It’s just a matter of having a horse good enough to get him on,” Hayes said. “I think Soleil Fighter will back up well. The key to this horse is drawing a good barrier and he’s done that with barrier one and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t put his run up.”
The clash between Soleil Fighter and Pierre Ng’s I Can in the Tsui Man Handicap could effectively decide the series, while Ng’s Aurora Lady can also win the challenge if he lands the Class 3 Sing Woo Handicap (1200m) and other results go his way.
Hayes-trained Tomodachi Kokoroe and Danny Shum’s Copartner Ambition tied for overall honours in last season’s DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, which runs from September to February in Class 3 races and above.
Hayes indicated Ka Ying Rising would next contest the HK$5.35 million G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on 30 March after the star sprinter’s victory in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) last Sunday (23 February).
“He’s pulled up really well. He’s eaten all his feed as usual and he’ll head up to Conghua tomorrow to do his usual routine to get ready for the next race. I would say he will definitely run a month between runs, instead of two,” Hayes said.
If Ka Ying Rising remains undefeated in his next two starts, he will match Beauty Generation and Lucky Sweynesse’s record of posting eight wins in a Hong Kong season. - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Copartner Prance in consistent form this season, he is ideally weighted in this small field to score with Ryan Moore aboard. Raging Blizzard with a small field and a slow tempo expected, the race will likely turn into a sit-sprint scenario—perfectly suiting his racing pattern. Taj Dragon found the line well late despite being held up at a crucial stage last time out. He could be a knockout chance. Son Pak Fu with a lightweight on his back, he may sneak into the placings at odds.
Race 2: Serangoon caught the eye flashing home late into sixth in a slowly run race last time out. From a better draw, he could make amends. Management Folks checked into a fast-finishing third despite a tardy start last time. With a clean jump, he should be highly competitive. Good Good comes off a tenacious win in this class, and a double looks within his reach. Affordable will make his presence felt if the pace suits, despite the awkward draw. Fortune Superstar should relish the drop in class and improvement is expected.
Race 3: Soleil Fighter having found his best form this season, and with an inside draw, he should enjoy a perfect run and return to the winner’s list, especially with Moore aboard. I Can finished only 1.5 lengths behind Soleil Fighter last start. Now 8lb better off, he could make amends. Red Hare King must be considered as he drops to Class 3, where he boasts a reliable 80% Top 3 strike rate. Telecom Fighters if he could cut across easily from a wide draw and dictate the pace, he should run well. Romantic Laos can upset more fancied rivals on his day and is worth considering if his odds offer value.
Race 4: Travel Golf recorded the third fastest final 400m in a slowly run race last start and has since trialled well. He appears to be a value choice. Super Sixty has been knocking on the door recently, and with a favourable draw, his consistency could be rewarded. Yee Cheong Spirit stormed home for a strong second last start and looks poised to go one better. New Power his recent efforts at Sha Tin have been encouraging and he must be rated a strong contender returning to his preferred track. Happy Trio caused a big upset last start but the question remains whether he can confirm that form.
Race 5: Moments In Time ran on well from a wide draw in a slowly run race last time out. From a better draw, he should map closer to the speed and secure a Top 3 finish. Encountered was not beaten far in his last two starts and a win wouldn’t be surprising here. Helene Feeling has regained his form recently and must be included among the better chances. Nimble Nimbus Dropping back from a Group 3 feature, he is well placed to produce an improved effort with the apprentice claim. Mr Ascendency returned to his best last start and looks one to follow, provided his odds still present value.
Race 6: Sight Happy in great form recently, he has what it takes to bounce back anytime in Class 4. Fun N Fun Together a dangerous frontrunner, he can be hard to run down if given an uncontested lead. Good Prospect showed improvement last start and looks to be a strong contender in this open field. Club Ace has shown ability and gets his chance to win in a race of this nature, but the wide draw remains a concern. My Intelligent resuming from a break and the betting market will be the best guide.
Race 7: Sturdy Ruby flashed home late to miss by just a short head last start. With an ideal draw this time, he is primed to go one better. The Azure has been racing in career-best form and attracts plenty of attention as Moore jumps aboard. Red Majesty with a drop in class and a favourable draw, he looks ready to run a big race in Class 4. Take Action his last run was much better than it looks and he looks a serious contender, given his strong previous form. Good Luck Win possesses versatility in running and should not be overlooked, despite the awkward draw.
Race 8: Kyrus Dragon looks a standout on collateral form and must be considered a leading chance with Teetan aboard. Aurora Lady should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and could be hard to run down under the right race shape. Wings Of War a proven performer at this level, he is worth considering as he reunites with Bowman, under whom he scored two starts ago. Gallant Valour broke through in Class 3 last start and looks one to follow with a decent draw. Bundle Of Charm finds a more manageable field after the drop in class. However, the wide draw and top weight make things tricky.
Race 9: Heroic Master stormed home for third place from a wide draw last start. With a favourable draw this time, he’s primed to score. Eternal Fortune had genuine excuses (raced wide) last start and could improve into the money with better luck in running. Healthy Healthy looks always a threat in this class and must be included. Red Elegance scored a facile win last start, though favoured by the fast pace, and remains a strong chance. Harmony N Blessed with a massive drop in class (from Class 1 to Class 3), he could surprise at odds, especially with a 7-pound claimer aboard.