THE LONGINES INTERNATIONAL JOCKEY'S CHAMPIONSHIP - THE PRE-RACEDAY JOCKEY INTERVIEWS
By Graham Potter and Darren Winningham | Wednesday, December 4, 2024
At a function held at the Tai Kwun JC Cube in Hong Kong yesterday, HRO’s Darren Winningham attended the official press conference and also conducted one on one interviews with several of the jockeys who will be involved in the International Jockeys Championship at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Here are some of the rider’s thoughts and observations.
_______________________________________________________________________
Not many riders, if any, have more international experience than RYAN MOORE which makes him ideally placed to put the IJC’s presence in global perspective. A man of few words, Moore took only one sentence to sum up the status of Hong Kong’s Happy Valley extravaganza.
“This is the most competitive racing in the world and this competition (the IJC), as far as Jockey Challenges goes, is by far the best.
“So, if you are asked to come here and you want to compete at the top level, you have to do it … that’s why I’ll never say no to coming here.”
Moore is a two-time IJC winner, taking out the title in successive years in 2009 and 2010.
______________________________________________________________________
HUGH BOWMAN, who Winno has tipped to win the 2024 IJC title, could kick off his off his challenge with a winner riding Nothesillyone for trainer Mark Newnham in race 4. He went one-on-one with Winno.
“Happy Valley is a very tight track. The pace will be on … as always, but it is important to conserve energy in the run, if possible, despite the fact that we generally go pretty fast there … and, of course, you need luck.
“He’s drawn barrier one and he has got an abundance of natural pace. From barrier one, if I can conserve even two lengths in the run, it would be good. Last time he drew wide and, even although he showed that speed, he never got a rest, and it told over the last 200m. If he can get a bit of a rest midrace at some point, he’ll take some running down.”
Bowman won the IJC in 2016.
_____________________________________________________________________
RACHEL KING is Australia’s only official representative in the IJC and she is on a mission having finished third in her debut outing in the competition last year in which she did ride a winner. She went one on one with Winno.
“Having had that experience last ear will definitely help me this year,” King told Winno.
“I’m just pleased to be asked back again. It is a prestigious event and, like all the jockeys here, I’m just pleased to be part of it.”
It will be a bit like old times when King goes out to ride Super Baby for Mark Newnham in race 5, the second leg of the IJC.
“Yeah, it is very special to be riding for Mark again,” said King. “I’ve missed him a lot since he has come to Hong Kong.
"He was an epic part in my career … in starting my career off and being a huge part in my apprenticeship.
“It will be really nice to ride for him again and hopefully we can team up with a winner. I think we’ll go back to our old Waterhouse days … get him out and running.
Barrier one will be a good help with that.”
_______________________________________________________________________
HOLLY DOYLE, who will be participating in the IJC for the third time is drawn to the uniqueness of the occasion, as she explained.
“Happy Valley is pretty unique … the setting, the skyscrapers around the track … it’s like nowhere else really and it has a huge atmosphere … and it is pretty tight as well, so you have to adapt.
“It is a huge privilege to be recognised and asked back a few times now and it would be the icing on the cake really if we can get a good result.”
_______________________________________________________________________
WILLIAM BUICK, who went one on one with Winno, echoed the sentiments of many of his colleagues.
‘You’ve got some of the best riders from all over the world and a track like Happy Valley makes it ultra-competitive,” Buick told Winno. “It’s a real privilege to be asked back and I always enjoy coming here because of the nature of the competition. It’s a highlight of the year."
And has Buick picked a danger in the field?
“It looks like an even spread,” said Buick. “Everybody seems to have chances here and there. I like my rides.
“Hugh Bowman looks to have a strong book of rides and obviously he has the local knowledge as well along with Zac (Purton), Karis (Teetan) and Vincent (Ho) … and obviously James McDonald, so that will be an advantage for them.
“If I was able to win a Jockey Challenge that I so highly esteemed, it would mean a lot.”
________________________________________________________________________
Three-time IJC winner and Hong Kong racing’s ‘El Supremo’ ZAC PURTON was downplaying his chances in this year’s IJC when he went one on one with Winno.
“It’s going to be tough with the horses I’ve got. I haven’t drawn that well,” said Purton.
“A couple of good gates might be able to help them a little bit, but they are going to need more than good gates, I think.”
Winno did point out and interesting ride of Purton’s away from the IJC races which may be worth keeping an eye on moving forward … Stunning Peach in the last race.
“Stunning Peach is potentially going to be my Derby ride this year.” Purton said. “There haven’t been any races to run him in recently, so we’ve had to bring him to The Valley for the distance.
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to riding him. He is not at his top yet, but he feels like a quality horse.”
Purton might be downplaying his chances, but if you underestimate a three-time IJC winner, you do so at your own peril. Purton took out the IJC title in 2017. 2020 and 2021.
_______________________________________________________________________
KARIS TEETAN only secured his place in the 2024 IJC relatively late in proceedings, but that means nothing on raceday, where Teetan looks to be a real contender. He went one on one with Winno.
“I think Champion Method in the fourth race (the first leg of the IJC) is my main chance on the night,” volunteered Teetan.
“From that draw, I think he is going to have a good run. It’s going to be a fast run race.
“I know Danny (Shum) is very happy with the horse.
“I think the race will be run to suit him and he is going to be very competitive.”
Teetan won the IJC in 2019.
______________________________________________________________________
Irish jockey COLIN KEANE is set for his third tilt at the IJC.
Keane finished second in the 2018 IJC and he will be looking to go one better this year. Keane went one on one with Winno.
“Look, I’ve had a very good year back home … Group winners, a Breeders’ Cup winner … and this would just be the icing on the cake to end a brilliant year.
“Happy Valley is a very unique track in the middle of the city.
“The atmosphere is unbelievable, and it is a challenge riding against the best riders in the world.
“It is a great competition.”
More articles
|