CHADWICK TAKES ON THE WORLD IN SHERGAR CUP

By Hong Kong Jockey Club | Friday, August 10, 2012

Matthew Chadwick will be one of a world class collection of jockeys doing battle in front of jam packed grandstands at Ascot racecourse on Saturday when he represents the ‘Rest of The World’ team in the six-race Shergar Cup, a prestigious and increasingly popular event.

The brilliant 22-year-old home grown star joins multiple Japanese champion Yutake Take – the team captain - and Dubai World Cup winning American rider Aaron Gryder.

This talented trio are pitched against three other teams in handicaps over distances from 1000m to 3200m with the winning team – based on a points system - clinching the Shergar Cup and the most successful rider being awarded the Silver Saddle.

The Rest of The World team will be wearing yellow silks and, with only minor distinguishing details, it is no wonder that race-callers describe the Shergar Cup as one of their most difficult assignments!

Chadwick has not ridden at Ascot during his brief British adventure but to help with the mental preparation for what is likely to be one of the most challenging days of his career, he took the trouble to visit Britain’s most prestigious racetrack last weekend.

What he saw was a much grander arena than either Ffos Las or Folkestone, the tracks where he has ridden his two British winners.

“I’ve sometimes had to travel a long way to minor tracks for just one or two rides. It’s like starting all over really, and I appreciate that jockeys based here must have a tough time.

“The tracks in the UK are all so different with lots of ups and downs but that experience - along with seeing different riding styles - has certainly been good for me. I hope to get another such opportunity again,” said Chadwick on Thursday.

He has five rides on Saturday with Taajub in the Shergar Cup Dash (1000m) and Mince in the Shergar Cup Sprint (1200m) looking potentially his best chances of victory.

His other rides are Trade Storm in the Shergar Cup Mile (1600m), Woolfall Treasure in the Shergar Cup Stayers (3200m) and Too Much Trouble in the Shergar Cup Challenge (2400m).

A novelty in this year’s Shergar Cup is the introduction of a female team, featuring Hayley Turner (captain), Chantal Sutherland and Emma-Jayne Wilson, arguably the world’s three top lady riders.

The other teams are Europe: Frankie Dettori (captain), Andreas Suborics, Cristian Demuro and Great Britain and Ireland: Kieren Fallon (captain), Johnny Murtagh, James Doyle.

Sunny skies are expected, thrilling racing is anticipated and an excited, friendly and cosmopolitan atmosphere is assured helped along by Britain’s hosting of Olympic Games.

Given all these factors Ascot’s Shergar Cup fixture is likely to be a memorable day in the life of the young Hong Kong star Matthew Chadwick.