The horses look about standard for a Wednesday night racing program at Happy Valley. The jockeys do not. This is the annual International Jockeys Challenge card, a fixture of the Hong Kong International Races week.
The New Zealand-bred gelding Gunaluva will have a weight advantage on his main rivals in a handicap at 1 1/2 miles at Warwick Farm Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday.
Chad Schofield has the chance of producing a significant piece of history this Sunday (9 December) at Sha Tin when he partners Rattan with the hope of joining his father Glyn on the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) honour roll, which would be a Hong Kong first.
Joao Moreira predicts a galaxy of international star jockeys will swiftly adapt to Happy Valley’s unique contours as 12 of the world’s best riders vie for LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship glory on Wednesday 9 December.
Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at Happy Valley.
Hong Kong Selections for Sunday, December 6, 2020 at Sha Tin.
In Japan, Chrysoberyl is unbeaten in eight starts, including the Grade 1 Champions Cup on dirt in 2019. The 4-year-old colt’s only career loss was a seventh-place finish behind Maximum Security in the $20 million Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia in February. Chrysoberyl recovered from that setback to win consecutive races at Ohi Racecourse in Tokyo in June and on Nov. 3. Those wins leave Chrysoberyl as the leading contender for Sunday’s Champions Cup at 1 1/8 miles at Chukyo Racecourse.
A week away from the Hong Kong International Races, the Sunday feature at Sha Tin will look nothing like those Group 1 turf races as a field of a dozen Class 2 handicappers take to the dirt oval situated inside the main turf course in the last of 10 races.
A determined Karis Teetan will defend his LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship crown next Wednesday (9 December) at Happy Valley against 11 world class rivals as he bids to become the second back-to-back winner of the challenge.
John Size is banking on Waikuku’s class to offset a lengthy absence from competition as the 11-time champion trainer prepares to launch an audacious tilt on the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday, 13 December.
