By Alan Carasso
Hong Kong International Races week kicks into a higher gear Wednesday evening when a dozen of the world's top jockeys descend on iconic Happy Valley Racecourse for the Longines International Jockeys' Championship.
Four-time Sydney champion Hugh Bowman graced the IJC winner's circle after narrowly besting Longines World's Best Jockey Ryan Moore last December, and the 37-year-old enters his title defence on a high. Winner of a third straight G1 Cox Plate in Melbourne aboard the legendary Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), Bowman is currently on a short-term contract in Japan and announced his arrival on the scene with a perfect-trip victory aboard Cheval Grand (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G1 Japan Cup at Toyko Nov. 26. The latter success ensured that Bowman would be named this year's Longines World's Best Jockey at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Friday, Dec. 8.
“Last year I looked to have two really good chances, but though a couple of mine are drawn well this time, they don't look as strong,” Bowman said. “And in the first leg I ride what seems to be an average one. But at least one is trained by Caspar Fownes. He's 'King of the Valley' so maybe he can work his magic.”
Moore will look to reverse form with Bowman as he looks to add to IJC wins in 2009–when he dead-heated with Christophe Soumillon–prior to an outright title in 2010. The three-time champion in the UK, Moore is in line for a big weekend with a strong Ballydoyle contingent entered for the International Races, led by 2015 G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase hero and 2016 runner-up Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
A trio of talented Brazilian-born riders add to the intrigue of the 2017 IJC. Joao Moreira has taken all before him no matter where he has dropped anchor, be it his native land, Singapore or Hong Kong. The record-setting jockey, winner of the 2012 IJC, is joined in the field by his compatriots Silvestre de Sousa, twice champion jockey in the UK; and upstart 18-year-old Leandro Henrique, who has ridden better than 430 winners in just over two years in the saddle.
Keita Tosaki, third in each of the two most recent IJCs, represents Japan, while Cristian Demuro, currently riding alongside older brother Mirco on the JRA circuit, flies the Italian flag. Pierre-Charles Boudot represents his home country of France and his countryman Flavien Prat makes his IJC debut representing America on the heels of a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. The field is completed by the Hong Kong-based Zac Purton, Karis Teetan and leading local rider Derek Leung.
The Longines IJC is contested over four races, with points allotted to the first three placegetters on a 12-6-4 scale. A total of HK$800,000 in prize money is on offer for the world's richest event of its kind. The winner takes home a check for HK$500,000.
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