What happens when a Brazilian, an Australian, a Mauritian, two Irishmen, three Frenchmen, one Hong Kong Chinese and three Brits walk onto a racecourse?
Well, if its tonight and Happy Valley Racecourse, they get on horses and compete against each other in four designated races to see who will be the winner of this year’s Hong Kong International Jockeys Championship.
With the Hong Kong Jockey Club tweaking the rules to create a more level playing field for the twelve world class riders participating, racing fans, most watching from home and missing out on the usual on course experience of a Happy Wednesday – another victim fallen to the Covid lockdown blues- it means a new way of accepting something else we once took for granted- and thinking nothing will ever change. It always does.
As cricket great Shane Warne reminded viewers tuned into the T20 match last night between Australia and India, we owe much to all the sportsmen and sportswomen who, unselfishly, put their personal lives on Hold to give us so much entertainment.
Tonight, apart from the HKJC, who made this HKIJC event possible, thanks to the six visiting jockeys- Ryan Moore, William Buick, Pierre-Charles Boudot, Mikhael Barzalona, Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand- for making the time to come to Hong Kong, participate in the HKIJC, and be great ambassadors for the sport.
Let’s also not forget the six Hong Kong riders who have competed hard over the past few months to be part of Team Hong Kong.
Who will win the title? Remember mentioning the more level playing field they will be competing on tonight.
Some believe that Ryan Moore will run away with the Cup. Others say it will be Pierre-Charles Boudot or someone who has not ridden in Hong Kong before- Hollie Doyle. But this is horse racing and where anything is possible.
With a competitive undercard, it promises to be a night of very good racing. It might well even offer those watching the races on television from home more than one expects.
If there are such things as “tips”, here’s who we’re suggesting for the four HKIJC races…
Race 4 Very tough and even first leg. Karis Teetan (Oversubscribed 12) Pierre-Charles Boudot (Jazz Steed 2)
(Photo: Wallace Wan)
Race 5 Ryan Moore (Play Wise 4)
Joao Moreira (Royal Racer 3)
(Photo: Wallace Wan)
Race 7 Pierre-Charles Boudot (Reel Bizzy (1)
Joao Moreira (Smiling City 12)
Race 8 Hollie Doyle (Harmony N Blessed 12)
Tom Marquand (Wind N Grass 4)
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