Ryan Moore is the favourite for the International Jockey's Championship
The Longines International Jockey Championship at Happy Valley on Wednesday Night brings together the best hoops from around the world as Hong Kong gears up for International Day on Sunday. The honour roll is an absolute beauty with names such as Dettori, Oliver, Murtagh, Moore and Bowman on the list.
The 2017 edition looks an absolute beauty with a world class field assembled. The races involved in the Championship are races 4/5/7/8. Here is my preview of the jockeys contesting.
Pierre- Charles Boudot: Very talented 24 year old young gun from France who has already ridden 1200 career winners who is the two time reigning French Premiership winner. All four of his rides look decent enough with a couple drawn a touch awkwardly. His best winning chance appears to be the speedy Exceptional Desire in race five.
HKJC Reference Odds: $8
Hugh Bowman: Four time champion rider in Sydney and officially the best jockey in the world after winning the Japan Cup recently. This will be his fourth IJC appearance, with his best effort coming last year with a win. On paper, all four of his rides do look a tad suspect with questionable form, but we know Bowman can lift one home on a big stage.
HKJC Reference Odds: $6
Silvestre de Sousa: Gun rider who is the current UK Champion Jockey despite being free lance. A remarkable effort. Has ridden very well in two stints in Hong Kong previously. I think in order for him to win the IJC, he’ll need to score good points in the first two races. Both horses are in reasonable form and they draw the paint, which is gold at Happy Valley.
HKJC Reference Odds: $9
Cristian Demuro: Very good rider from France who has enjoyed good success in Japan alongside brother Mirco. This is his debut appearance at the IJC. If he can snag a few points on his first three rides, he’ll be in with a chance because in race eight he rides Super Form, who is racing quite well at the moment. He might be the value.
HKJC Reference Odds: $14
Leandro Henrique: Could well be the second coming of Joao Moreira. Brazilian sensation who is only 18 years of age yet has already won a couple of premierships and several majors. He is long odds to win the IJC but the good thing is the world stage will get to see just how good this kid is and will be in the future. Best winning chance is Destin in race seven.
HKJC Reference Odds: $22
Derek Leung: The best local rider in Hong Kong at the moment and that was proven last year when winning the Tony Cruz Award as the leading home grown rider. He rode well in the series in 2015, finishing fifth. He is the rank outsider to win the IJC and rightfully so with a pretty plain book of rides across the four races.
HKJC Reference Odds: $50
Ryan Moore: Two time winner of the IJC and just sits behind Hugh Bowman as the best rider in the world. You name a big race around the world, he’s won it. His IJC record is outstanding. He has had 10 previous appearances for two wins (2009/10), as well as three placings. He looks the one to beat in 2017 with a very strong book of rides across the four races.
HKJC Reference Odds: $4.75F
Joao Moreira: Has been a sensation since moving to Asia from South America. He dominated Singapore racing before the lure of Hong Kong was too good to dismiss and he has dominated the past three seasons, breaking records every year. All four of his rides are racing well. Problem is they’ve drawn awkwardly.
HKJC Reference Odds: $6.50
Flavien Prat: Very good rider from the US who makes his IJC debut. It’s been a remarkable couple of years for Prat, who fractured his vertebrae in 2015 but was back riding three months later and in 2017 has ridden seven majors. Generally the American riders struggle in the IJC and his rides aren’t really screaming out as serious winning chances.
HKJC Reference Odds: $8.50
Zac Purton: Sits second behind Moreira as the best rider in Hong Kong but he is a star in his own right and has won big races right across the world. If he is to be any chance of winning the IJC, he has to boot home Let’s Take It Easy in race seven. That appears his best winning chance. Our Hero in race four is a contender also.
HKJC Reference Odds: $16
Karis Teetan: In terms of improved riders in Hong Kong, Teetan is heads and shoulders above any one else, so he deserves a spot here. His last 6-12 months has been outstanding in the saddle and it has seen him get some very good opportunities. Not sure he can win the IJC though. Best chance appears to be Sangria in race four.
HKJC Reference Odds: $11
Keita Tosaki: Gun rider from Japan who is a seven time premiership rider, four with the NAR and three with the JRA. He has ridden over 3100 career winners and sits second in the Japan Premiership at the moment behind Christophe Lemaire. I think he might be a bit of value with two strong chances in Jolly Bountiful (R5) and Godspeed (R7).
HKJC Reference Odds: $9
VERDICT: Hard to go past Ryan Moore. In terms of bookings, he has the pick of the riders engaged and will go close to scoring points in all four of the races. I think Keita Tosaki is a definite threat, especially if he can boot home either Jolly Bountiful or Godspeed. $9 I could entertain him. I think next best would be Pierre- Charles Boudot. If he can get Exceptional Desire to run 1/2 in race five, he’s in with a serious chance. Just needs to overcome a tricky gate on a couple of rides.
