WINNO'S WINNERS: HAPPY VALLEY: THE LONGINES INTERNATIONAL JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP 2024

By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, December 3, 2024

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s big week of features races kicks off on Wednesday 4 December 2024 with the running of the Hong Kong LONGINES International Jockeys Championship (IJC).

The international jockeys participating in this year’s series are: Mickael Barzalona (France), Yuga Kawada (Japan), Rachel King (Australia), James McDonald (New Zealand – but we will claim him as an Aussie), Hollie Doyle (Great Britain), Ryan Moore (Great Britain), William Buick (Great Britain), Colin Keane (Ireland) … while the local riders flying the flag for Hong Kong are Zac Purton, Vincent Ho, Hugh Bowman and Karis Teetan.

Talk about an all-star cast.

The defending champion is Vincent Ho – he became Hong Kong’s first home-grown jockey to win the LONGINES IJC in 2023. He will be looking for back-to-back wins in the IJC.

The Longines IJC will be held at the Happy Valley track.

A massive prize fund of HK$1 million in bonus money for the most successful riders will be split three ways, with the winner set to receive HK$600,000 with HK$250,000 for second and HK$150,000 for third, respectively.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, wonderful innovators in racing have ensured trainers are recognised as part of this event with a massive prize pool of HK$500,000. The top three trainers will be rewarded with the respective prizes $300,000, HK$125,000 and HK$75,000.

For those who are new to this concept the points are awarded as 12 points for first, 6 points for second and 4 points third. The ranking of each jockey and trainer will be determined by the total number of points earned over all four specified races and the LONGINES IJC champion will be the jockey with the highest points after the four scheduled races.

This year the races allocated are: Race 4, Race 5, Race 7 and Race 8.

In recent years the jockey’s allocation has been streamlined with each jockey getting a horse ranked within the betting market across the four selected races.
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Time for the preview.

Rail is in the normal position with fine weather and a Good track – the best conditions possible for this amazing night! In recent weeks they have been swooping and winning from all over the place – but horses drawn inside of barrier 6 and that can work forward seem to have solid statistics at this track.

Race 1

A Class 5 race to start off the program over 1650 metres.

The Azure (3) drops in grade from Class 4 to Class 5 – goes up in weight. Zac Purton will ride from a poor barrier – 11. He has run some solid time for this distance – he looks well placed and probably will be hard to hold out – just the barrier is not ideal.

Red Maverick (10) will be ridden by Karis Teetan. Has drawn off the track in his past two starts and has got barrier 10 to contend with here as well. There is some speed in the race – I am just hoping he gets in and gets a nice run throughout.

Many Thanks Forever (7) will have Vincent Ho aboard. Last start here got too far back after drawing well and had no luck late in the running. Drawn well this week – he could improve.

Super Glory (4) looks the likely leader from barrier. He is trained by Hong Kong’s current leading trainer Pierre Ng and Lyle Hewitson will ride. He steps up to this distance for the first time – a big query whether he will be strong at the end of the race.

Ivictoriam (1), trained by Jamie Richards and with James McDonald to ride, is not without a rough chance/

A tough race to open the program.

Selections:

10 – Red Maverick
3 – The Azure
7 – Many Thanks Forever
4 – Super Glory
Rough chance – (1) Ivictoriam

Race 2

A Class 5 race over 1200 metres here.

I like the topweight here, Ever Smart (10, trained by Frankie Lor and James McDonald to ride. He comes back in grade and normally races handy – barrier 5 is a big plus. A recent barrier trial also under his belt.

Speedy Chariot (8) - ideally named – he will need to be speedy to get the job done here. Is trained by Douglas Whyte and Hollie Doyle will ride this week. He just keeps racing consistently and filling places every time he goes around. Maybe there is a change of fortune in this race.

Tony Cruz and Zac Purton combine with Winning Heart (3) who is in barrier 7. He races consistently – maybe the change of jockey can see him back in the winners’ stalls.

Super Eagle (5) is another nice ride for Karis Teetan. He seems to go well here when he draws a barrier. So, barrier 1 is the perfect draw – no excuses this week.

Tattenham (6) has had a month to freshen up since his last effort. In between he has had some barrier trials and looks well placed.

Selections:

1 – Eversmart
8 – Speedy Chariot
3 – Winning Heart
5 – Super Eagle
Rough chance – (6) Tattenham

Race 3

A Class 4 race over 1650 metres.

Hailtothevictors (5) is an interesting runner from the David Eustace yards. Had his first start for the stable here a month ago – went well. Second up here with Vincent Ho to ride. Has won a recent barrier trial as well and looks well drawn for this event.

Lucky Touch (2) Is a last start winner for trainer Jamie Richards and jockey Zac Purton. He does go up in weight for this run, but on his previous win will be very difficult to hold out. He has drawn badly in barrier 10 so Purton will need to work some magic to post a consecutive victory.

Youth Power (12), trained by David Hayes, is down in the weights. Keith Yeung will ride. Has drawn barrier 2 which will be to his advantage. He had his first look at Happy Valley last time out and was not disgraced. I think down in the weights and drawn so well he will be very competitive in this race.

Selections:

2 – Lucky Touch
12 – Youth Power
5 – Hailtothevictors
3 – Mighty Strength

Race 4 LONGINES International Jockey Championship (First Leg)

The first leg of the International races on the program - sponsored by LONGINES – long term sponsors and supporters of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The jockeys will need luck here – this race is over 1000 metres – they will go fast.

The ‘KING OF THE VALLEY’ Casper Fownes has eight runners nominated across the IJC events – he is seriously setting his sights on winning the trainer’s bonus! He has Silver Spurs (11) engaged with several gear changes and James McDonald will ride. He was second up last stop and just didn't seem to perform - he has had a three week freshen up since then and I really think he is capable of getting the job done here.

Notthesillyone (7) is trained by Australian trainer Mark Newnham and will be ridden by Hugh Bowman. I think you can forget his last start effort here on this track when he drew barrier 12 and led them up and faded late. He's drawn ideally this week in barrier 1. I think if he can settle for Hugh then he should win this race and continue the recent success of the Newnham stable in Hong Kong. It appears to be strike one for the Hong Kong riders.

Champion Method (4) is the last stop we need here and is trained by Danny Shum - I see that Karis Teetan (winner of the IJC in 2019) has the ride. There is a lot to like about this runner drawn in barrier 2 and slightly up in weight for the last start victory. He will be in this race for a long way.

Lean Master (3) is trained by C Yip and William Buick will ride. He was ridden by an apprentice last time and with the senior jockey going on and drawing nicely in barrier 4, he may just be able to turn the tables on Champion Method (4) who beat him last time out.

Selections:

7 – Nothesillyone
11 – Silver Spurs
4 – Champion Method
3 – Lean Master
Rough chance – (5) Spicy Spangle

Race 5 LONGINES International Jockey Championship (Second Leg)

The second leg of our International races on the program. This time over 1650 metres – Class 4.

Jumbo Fortune (4) is trained by David Eustace and Hugh Bowman will ride. This runner has the blinkers coming off for this run and the visor is going on for the first time. He has done all of his recent racing at Sha Tin racecourse where he has performed admirably. I just like the fact that he's drawn barrier 3 and Bowman should be able to place him handy throughout the running.

Ryan Moore will ride Viva Chaleur (3) for Pierre Ng. This runner is three weeks between runs and has a recent barrier trial under his belt, so he's certainly fit for this assignment. Drawn well in barrier 6 I think his best efforts are when he is ridden just off the speed and he should get these conditions in this race.

Prince Alex (6) is drawn well for trainer Douglas Whyte and has the services of James McDonald. Comes off a last start win at this track and distance and was well supported when he won that race. He goes up slightly in the weights for that win but still looks a genuine chance in this race.

Super Baby (12) looks well placed in barrier 1 and looks the likely leader with Australian jockey Rachel King to ride for Australian trainer Mark Newnham. Can the Aussies combine to get the job done. Last start he was drawn in barrier 12, which was not ideal, and still led them up and faded late – King, a noted front riding jockey, should suit this runner.

After two legs I have Bowman in front of James McDonald in the IJC.

Selections:

4 – Jumbo Fortune
3 – Viva Chaleur
6 – Prince Alex
12 – Super Baby
Rough chance – (8) Lucky Banner

Race 6

An intermission in our feature races – a 1200 metres race – Class 4.

Maybe, grab a drink and something to eat and get ready for the last two races of the LONGINES International Jockeys Championship.

I like some runners down in the weights here. Crystal Powerful (12) is trained by K Mo and will be ridden by Michael Barzalona from France. This runner was first up last time out when he drew a wide barrier and really had no luck in the running throughout, however finished off strongly, just beaten over 1.5 lengths. He's drawn perfectly here and should be very hard to beat with the lightweight and drawn well in barrier 6.

Smart Fighter (10) is trained by Ricky Yiu and James McDonald will ride. This runner is a last start winner here at the track over this distance and has had a five week freshen up. He has drawn barrier 1 and looks ideally placed in this grade again.

Street Conqueror (2) resumed here at this track and distance last start for an impressive win for trainer Mark Newnham – Luke Ferraris will ride again. He has not fared well with the barrier draw – drawing barrier 10 - - the additional weight and the wide draw may not be of assistance – but the stable is firing!

Master Of My Universe (4) is trained by John Size. Resumed here and got too far back before a superb ride by Zac Purton weaved a passage in the straight to finish second – he has got a poor barrier here again – but does look a genuine threat.

Selections:

12 – Crystal Powerful
10 – Smart Fighter
4 – Master Of My Universe
2 – Street Conqueror
Rough chance – (5) Team Happy

Race 7 LONGINES International Jockey Championship (Third Leg)

The third leg of our International races on the program. This time over 1650 metres – Class 3.

Back to it – the penultimate race to decide the 2024 winner. This is a tough race – many chances.

Super Unicorn (10) trained by Frankie Lor and with Michael Barzalona (France) looks well placed from barrier 1. He lost the race on protest last time out – hopefully he can make a reversal and get the cash here. He will be racing on the speed and should let down late.

Soleil Fighter (12) is a David Hayes runner with Hollie Doyle (Great Britain) riding. He drew wide last start over this track in distance and was used up to take up the lead - he just did not finish off the race. Drawn this week in barrier 3 – look for him to crash the gates and be prominent throughout. The stable mate is Samarkand (2) and Rachel King (Australia) will ride. It would be amazing to see the stable run 1 – 2 in the race and the girls get the job done on the world stage!

Silo (5) is another Mark Newnham trained runner. Karis Teetan has been allocated the ride. He had his first look at the Happy Valley circuit last time out and just got too far back in the running - look for him to go forward this week. He normally races well when his position is close to the speed. Barrier 7 is not too bad – just needs to get some luck and find a position early.

Daring Pursuit (6) is trained by Casper Fownes (The King of the Valley). Ryan Moore (Great Britain) will ride. This runner has won his past two starts at the track over the same distance and looks ideally placed again to possibly post a hat trick of wins. Has got a nice barrier – 6 – will be right in the race.

Selections:

10 – Super Unicorn
12 – Soleil Fighter
5 – Silo
6 – Daring Pursuit
Rough chance – (2) Samarkand

Race 8 LONGINES International Jockey Championship (Fourth Leg)

The fourth leg of our International races on the program. This time over 1200 metres at Class 3 level.

Now we get serious – if my calculations are right there are several jockeys in the mix coming into this race to win the big prize – Hugh Bowman, James McDonald, Michael Barzalona, and Ryan Moore. The locals look like they may be struggling in 2024. Meanwhile in the trainers competition – Frankie Lor, Mark Newnham and David Eustace look well placed. Do not underestimate Casper Fownes – he is legendary at this track.

Storming Dragon (12) is trained by Jamie Richards and Rachel King will ride. He had a run of narrow seconds before posting a win here last time out in Grade 4 class – the time was fast. He goes up in class – down in weight and looks well drawn in barrier 8 to be competitive again.

Spicy Gold (9) is another solid runner for Mark Newnham – he has won his past two starts in Grade 4 races. He is looking to post a hat trick of wins – that is unusual for this grade of galloper. The Japanese rider Yuga Kawada has the ride. He will be rolling forward from barrier 7.

Chateauneuf (5) is trained by David Hayes and James McDonald has another live chance to accumulate points in the IJC. Drew wide last start in barrier 10 – forget the run – no luck. Has a solid barrier here – barrier 4 - and will take up a position close to the speed and will be thereabouts when the whips are cracking.

Gustosisimo (2) is trained by Tony Cruz – Hugh Bowman aboard. Won here last time out leading and getting away with cheap sectionals. He probably will be pressured this week but, in saying that, he has drawn perfectly in barrier 3 and will be competitive again.

In the trainers contest – Mark Newnham first from Frankie Lor & Jamie Richards.

Selections:

12 – Storming Dragon
9 – Spicy Gold
5 – Chateauneuf
2 – Gustosisimo
Rough chance – (6) Lucky Eight
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By my calculations the winners of the IJC for 2024 are:

Looks like a win for Hugh Bowman – from James McDonald – the Michael Barzalona & Rachel King for third.

In the trainers contest – Mark Newnham first from Frankie Lor & Jamie Richards.
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Race 9

A Class 2 race to finish of the night over 1800 metres.

Stunning Peach (8) to be ridden by Zac Purton and trained by Tony Cruz looks a safe way to finish off the evening. He resumed at Sha Tin over this distance and settled at the rear of the field before letting down late and finishing just off the placings in fifth spot. He has a solid career record that should see him competitive here – he will be the widest runner and coming fast.

Flamingo Trillion (9) is trained by Frankie Lor and Alexis Badel will be aboard. Has a very good record at the track and distance with three wins from five starts here. He has drawn badly in barrier 10 – but I think if they can go forward early and get in and settle – he should be in the finish.

Chill Chibi (3) is trained by Danny Shum – James McDonald will ride. A last start winner here over 1650 metres. He has won at 1800 metres in the past – drawn well in barrier 3 – keep safe.

Mr Ascendency (4) is trained by P Yiu and Luke Ferraris is aboard – look for an improved effort from barrier 5.

Selections:

8 – Stunning Peach
9 – Flamingo Trillion
3 – Chill Chibi
4 – Mr Ascendency
Rough chance – (6) Karma
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Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 only)

1.3.5,8 / 2,5,12 / 3,4,7,11 / 3,4,6,12 - cost is $192 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 only)

1,8 / 2,12 / 7,11 / 3,4,6 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,4,10,12 / 5,6,10,12 / 2,5,9,12 / 3,4,8,9 - cost is $256 to $1

Value Quaddie

10,12 / 10,12 / 5,9,12 / 3,8,9 - cos$36 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

5,6,10,12 / 2,5,9,12 / 3,4,8,9 - cost is $64 to $1

Best Bet – Race 2 – 1 – Eversmart
Best Bet – Race 6 – 12 – Crystal Powerful
Each way – Race 8 - 12 – Storming Dragon

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