Pouchin to make Hong Kong debut

Alexis Pouchin will join a long list of French jockeys to ply their trade in Hong Kong when he debuts with five rides at Sha Tin’s 10-race fixture on Sunday.

Pouchin, 24, has enjoyed an unbelievable year with six Group 1 wins. He is renowned for an association with Mqse De Sevigne – one of Europe’s best older horses – after winning five Group 1 races aboard the mare for legendary trainer Andre Fabre. Pouchin has over 400 wins and his top-level triumphs have come via Metropolitan, Vertical Blue, Haya Zark and Simca Mille.

“I had two propositions – the first was to go to Japan and the second was to Hong Kong. My boss, Mr Fabre, really likes Hong Kong, and he didn’t give me the choice. He said, ‘go to Hong Kong because it has top-class tracks, both tracks are good, and they are a different style’,” Pouchin, speaking in French, said through his interpreter Alexis Doussot.

Maxime Guyon is one of several Fabre former apprentices to have come to Hong Kong to gain further riding experience. Guyon landed the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with Ambitious Dragon during a stint in 2010/11. Mickael Barzalona is another to have spent time in Hong Kong.

“I didn’t expect to win three Group 1 races last year and then this year to win six Group 1s. I wanted to aim for one or two this year, which would be nice, but I won six, including with Mqse De Sevigne, and it was amazing. The best conclusion of the year is to come to Hong Kong,” Pouchin said.

Hong Kong racing is tough and competitive, with jockeys jostling for a limited number of mounts each week, but French riders have earned great success in the city and Pouchin joins fellow Frenchmen Alexis Badel (248 career Hong Kong wins) and Antoine Hamelin (99 career Hong Kong wins) on the 25-strong riding roster.

“I have a lot of friends who have ridden in Hong Kong before. I spoke with Gerald Mosse last week and Gerald gave me some tips about the tracks. I am friends with Mickael Barzalona, so I spoke with him too about the track and the best way to ride. Antoine Hamelin also, I have known him for some time,” Pouchin said.

Marcel Samarcq was followed by Philippe Paquet, Maurice Philipperon, Eric Saint-Martin, Eric Legrix, Frederic Sanchez and Gerald Mosse, who won 659 races in Hong Kong, as well as Olivier Doleuze – a mainstay with 571 wins – and they are just several of the French riders who have set high benchmarks after switching tack to the Far East.

“My father lived in the stable, so I grew up in the stable – in the boxes with the horses. It wasn’t a passion or an aim to become a jockey but after years it became better and better, and then it was totally normal in my head to become a jockey. I was in Maisons-Laffitte with Yohann Gourraud for two years – he was a jumps and flat trainer. Then Mr Fabre asked me to come back home,” Pouchin said.

Pouchin rode is first winner in 2016 at Maisons-Laffitte. He served his apprenticeship with Gourraud and Fabre. He rode Chill Kaka in a barrier trial at Sha Tin on Friday (29 November) and partners Yoda’s Choice, Panda, Double Show, Parterre and Devildom on Sunday.

“I was not expecting five rides. I am happy that the trainers give me the confidence because it’s very hard to get the confidence when you don’t know anyone. I am quite happy,” Pouchin said. “It’s nice because there are no big races in February in France, so if there is support and if I win some races then I can stay longer. It depends if I have support and the results, but it won’t be the last time I am in Hong Kong, for sure.”

The HK$2.84 million Class 2 Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m, dirt) headlines Sunday’s Sha Tin programme, where a competitive field of 12 do battle, including Capital Delight (122lb), who is chasing a fourth course and distance success for jockey Vincent Ho and trainer Caspar Fownes.

“He gets back to his winning distance, so hopefully he will run well again. Last time it was a little disappointing, but we’ll see how he goes,” Ho said.

Ho has eight rides this Sunday after banking his 600th Hong Kong win at Happy Valley last Wednesday, including last-start winner Steps Ahead in the Class 3 Salisbury Handicap (1400m) for trainer Francis Lui.

“It was a lovely win from him – he felt good. He’s a very honest horse and he’s still a little bit immature in the mornings, so hopefully he can improve,” Ho said. - Hong  Kong Jockey Club 

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Yoda’s Choice drops to Class 5 where he finished a close second from a wide barrier three starts ago. With a favourable draw, he could make amends. Precision Goal possesses early speed and could be hard to run down with Purton remaining on board. Verbier still a maiden galloper but looks capable of breaking through in this moderate field. Joyful Champion appears well placed at the weights and can be in the finish. Family Fortune making his Class 5 debut, he should improvement with J-Mac aboard.

Race 2: Cheerful World has trialled well since finishing a close third behind Sugar Ball, and looks a standout in this below-par Class 4 field. Super Legends a proven performer at this level, he remains a strong chance despite the awkward draw. Bear Champ was held up at a crucial stage last start and can improve into the placings with a smoother run. Gangnam Star will find this easier than his recent outings and could place at value. Good Chap is well prepared with several trials for his debut. Watch for betting support.

Race 3: Patch Of Watch has tactical speed and is ideally placed to break through with Britney Wong’s 10-pound claim. Vulcanus looks suited by the drop in distance and should map well from an inside draw. Strive For Glory a moody horse, he is more than capable of winning in Class 5, but it’s hard to know when. Fancy Star will relish the drop to Class 5 and improvement is expected with James McDonald aboard. Sonic Boom caught wide last start but still ran well. He looks one to watch upon returning to Class 5.

Race 4: Mark The Moment has trialled well for his return, and with a 10-pound claimer, he is primed to run a big race first-up. Sunny Darling a fast beginner with solid recent form, he could be hard to catch if allowed a soft lead. Shanghai Style his recent runs have been encouraging and looks always a threat on the AWT surface. My Flying Angel showed improvement last start and could be one to follow. Hinokami Kagura from pole position, he should endure a nice trip and go close to winning.

Race 5: Ka Ying Victory had genuine excuses last start and looks one to watch first-up, especially with Purton taking the reins. Stellar Express has shown ability and should be highly competitive in this race. Baby Crystal boasts impressive record over this track and distance and is well placed with the apprentice claim. Super Fortune placed at odds last start and worth considering if his odds still offer value. Healthy Healthy scored a tenacious win at Happy Valley four days ago and now aims for a quick double.

Race 6: Reliable Profit defied the rise in class and scored a facile double last time out. He is hat-trick bound and looks the one to beat. Northern Beast a proven performer at this level, he remains a strong contender despite carrying top weight. Soaring Bronco can upset some more fancied rivals on his best form and looks a value choice. Never Peter Out has shown a strong liking to the AWT surface and must be respected. Forever Folks caught the eye running home powerfully last start and will make a late surge if the pace suits.

Race 7: Tomodachi Kokoroe relishes the extra distance and should produce an improved effort with Purton aboard. Raging Blizzard has performed well in both starts this preparation and appears ready to peak third-up. Majestic Knight has a great record in this class and could cause an upset with a 10-pound claimer aboard. Sing Dragon will be suited by the switch back to the All-Weather track, where he is three from four. Call Me Glorious based on his previous solid form, he is worth considering if his odds present value.

Race 8: Jolly Ruler finished powerfully from a wide barrier last start, and from a better draw, he should settle closer to the speed and prove a strong winning chance. Fighting Machine stormed home for a nice second last start and should run well again if the pace suits. Talents Ambition looks capable of bouncing back anytime in this class but tends to be overbet. Must Go finished a slashing second over 1200m last time out, and the step up in distance should suit him. Thesis should be highly suited by the rise in distance and can improve second-up

Race 9: Dragon Joy was narrowly beaten last start and is edging closer to a win. Rates highly. Master Of All with versatility in running, he is poised to secure a double despite the slight rise in weight. Fashion Legend showed good improvement with a fast-finishing third last start and appears to be a chance. Mighty Steed went close at his first attempt in Class 4, and further improvement is expected with Purton remaining on board. Young Horizon has been in consistent form of late and include among the better chances.

Race 10: My Wish scored an easy win in a strong form race last time out, and a double is well within his reach despite the wide draw. Steps Ahead a progressive 4YO, he could have more ratings in hand and is eyeing a hat-trick. Huge Wave endured a tough trip but still found the line well last start. He looks one to watch with a favourable draw. Gracious Express has shown consistent form in this class and should play a key role. Geneva finished strongly to score a decisive win in Class 4 last start and remains a chance despite the rise in class.