Hollie Doyle may be the roughest chance in the field of 12 for Wednesday evening's Longines International Jockeys' Championship (IJC) at Hong Kong iconic 'city track' at Happy Valley Racecourse, but she'd be considering herself fortunate to take her chances at all.
The 26-year-old, who returned an 'indifferent' COVID test upon her arrival from Japan, was given the green light to compete Tuesday after the chief medical officer for the Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed that the original result was a 're-positive' case, per a release.
“After careful clinical and laboratory assessments with the results having been communicated to the Government, the CMO is satisfied that Jockey Doyle is medically fit to fulfil her race riding engagements at the Happy Valley Racemeeting to be conducted on Wednesday, 7 December 2022,” the statement read.
Doyle became the first woman to record a victory in one of the four legs of the IJC in 2020 and has reached the podium in both her previous appearances, finishing in a tie for second that year and a joint-third in 2021.
Japan's Yuga Kawada misses the IJC after returning a positive test prior to his departure, while Jye McNeil is also sidelined on similar grounds. Lyle Hewitson takes Kawada's rides and Hugh Bowman, the 2016 IJC winner, slides in for his fellow Australian McNeil.
Over the last several years, the allotment of rides for the IJC has been altered to level the playing field, but, as luck would have it, two-time defending champion Zac Purton has been handed a strong book and is the $3.20 (11-5) favourite to take home the winner's share of HK$800,000 yet again. But he is taking nothing for granted.
“These are the best jockeys from around the world and they've had the most success in recent times as well,” said Purton, who currently sits on 54 winners, 32 clear of fellow IJC competitor Vincent Ho. “They're all in good form and it creates an element of interest for everyone.
“These are the biggest stars in our sport so to be able to compete with them on a night like this is an opportunity I appreciate. I enjoy having them in town and catching up with them as friends too, so it's good to see some familiar faces.”
Making her first IJC appearance is Australia's history-making Jamie Kah, the leading jockey in Melbourne in 2020/2021 and first to post 100 winners in a Melbourne metropolitan season.
“It's always been a dream of mine to ride in Hong Kong,” said Kah, “And this is my first time here. I literally had a stopover once but didn't set foot outside the airport. It's a buzz to be part of this IJC and The Hong Kong Jockey Club has looked after me amazingly well.”
Kah is rated an $18 chance for the IJC.
Along with Purton and Bowman, other past IJC winners looking to add to their totals include Silvestre de Sousa, who won it in 2018, and Ryan Moore, who shared the spoils with Christophe Lemaire and John Murtagh in 2009 before winning outright the following year.
The field is completed by Doyle's husband Tom Marquand, Mickael Barzalona, James McDonald and Matthew Chadwick.
The IJC kicks off with race four at 12:10pm BST (7:10 a.m. US Eastern Time) and features two Class Four (1000m, 1650m) and two Class 3 handicaps (1650m, 1200m).
New Zealand-born, but Australian-based jockey James McDonald easily outdistanced Ryan Moore to be named the Longines World's Best Jockey for 2022. McDonald will be honoured at a ceremony during the gala dinner for the Longines Hong Kong International Races Friday, Dec. 9, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The awarding of the Longines World's Best Jockey title is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races as established for the year by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. The scoring incorporates races from Dec. 1 of the previous year until Nov. 30 of the current year. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second, and 4 points for placing third.
McDonald, who finished third in the 2021 competition, won nine of the world's top 100 Group 1/Grade I races during the season, topped by the G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate aboard Godolphin's Anamoe (Aus) (Street Boss) and the G1 T J Smith S. astride Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}). McDonald also guided the latter to a thrilling victory in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot. He is the second Australian-based rider to win the title, following Hugh Bowman in 2017.
Further easing in the local COVID restrictions meant that the biggest crowd since January–better than 13,000 racegoers–took in Sunday's BOCHK Jockey Club meeting at Sha Tin in person and were they ever rewarded. Making their seasonal debuts and having a single prep towards next month's Longines Hong Kong International Races, both two-time defending Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and last year's champion 4-year-old Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) were outstanding in taking out the G2 Jockey Club Mile and G2 Jockey Club Cup, respectively, while Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) confirmed the high regard in which he is held with a first victory at group level in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint.
G60 Overcomes Slow Tempo and Chief Rival in Mile
The last time Golden Sixty was as long as even-money was when winning the Hong Kong Classic Cup in February 2020 and you have to go back to September 2019 for the last time he was not favoured in a race. But given the recency and pace advantage possessed by the upstart California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), the tote read Golden Sixty 2.0 (evens) and 1.6 (3-5) on his younger rival. It would prove value in the end.
Allowed to find his footing at the tail of the pack, Golden Sixty was given a typically patient ride by Vincent Ho as California Spangle ambled them along through an opening 800 metres in :49.23. Ho went for Golden Sixty perhaps a few strides earlier than normal and the 7-year-old had the front-runner in his sights at the top of the straight. California Spangle loves a fight as evidenced by his battles with Romantic Warrior in last year's Classic series and, having spent little in transit, had something left when confronted at the 200m. But Golden Sixty, who routinely does things horses just don't do, finished off his race in a wicked :21.32 and clawed back California Spangle–who ran home in :21.60–for the victory while carrying a five-pound penalty.
“It was crawling at first and the turn I knew, around the 600 [metre mark], that Zac [Purton] will pick up the pace for sure, so I was just keeping an eye on what he was doing and I had to come out and make my move earlier,” Ho said. “I knew Golden Sixty would have the heart to run him down but he's only 80 percent fit, so the last bit is his mental toughness. Definitely all credit to him and the team–we're looking forward to December now,” and a chance to match the Hong Kong Mile three-peat of Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan).
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK PRIVATE WEALTH JOCKEY CLUB MILE-G2, HK$5,000,000, Sha Tin, 11-20, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:34.02, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 128, g, 7, by Medaglia d'Oro 1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor 2nd Dam: Leo's Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew 3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg '17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo '17 NZBRTR). O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld); T-Francis K W Lui; J-Vincent C Y Ho; HK$2,850,000. Lifetime Record: 2x Horse of the Year, Ch. Middle Distance Horse, Ch. 4yo & MG1SW-HK, 25-22-1-1, HK$116, 250,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus; and Rainbow Connection (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), GSP-Aus. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–California Spangle (Ire), 123, g, 4, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Pearlitas Passion (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire). (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFORB). O-Howard Liang Yum Shing; B-M Enright; T-Tony A S Cruz; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,100,000.
3–Waikuku (Ire), 128, g, 7, Harbour Watch (Ire)–London Plane (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (€33,000 Ylg '16 TATSEP). O-Jocelyn Siu Yang Hin Ting; B-Shane Molan; T-John Size; J-Silvestre de Sousa; HK$5750,000.
Margins: NK, 2H, 2 1/4. Odds: 1-1, 3-5, 31-1.
Also Ran: More Than This (GB), Excellent Proposal (Aus), Turin Redsun (GB), Kings Shield. Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Romantic Warrior Picks Up Where He Left Off
Last seen completing the rare BMW Hong Kong Derby/G1 FWD QE II Cup double, Romantic Warrior saw his return to the races delayed by a wrenched ankle in August, but a pair of stiff 1600-metre trials had him on go and he returned victoriously Sunday.
Ridden positively from the widest barrier by James McDonald–subbing for the recovering Karis Teetan–Romantic Warrior landed in the one-out and one-back spot as recent G3 Sa Sa Ladies' Purse H. winner Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) set reasonable fractions. Felt for with about three furlongs to race, Romantic Warrior was finding his best stride approaching the final 400 metres and kicked home strongly to score cosily from perfect-trip Tourbillon Diamond (Aus) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) for a Danny Shum-trained quinella. Senor Toba (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) stayed on well for third at a trip short of his best.
“First of all, I would just like to send my well wishes to Karis,” said McDonald, winner of this year's G1 W.S. Cox Plate and completing a double on the program. “Obviously, he would [normally] be on this horse and it's a pleasure to be warming the seat for him for when he gets back–and I'm sure he'll be back very shortly. [Romantic Warrior] can only improve off that. I thought he did enough in the end–and probably had enough in the end–but he's a great horse and he knows where that winning post is.”
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK JOCKEY CLUB CUP-G2, HK$5,000,000, Sha Tin, 11-20, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:59.23, gd.
1–ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE), 128, g, 4, by Acclamation (GB) 1st Dam: Folk Melody (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire) 2nd Dam: Folk Opera (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire) 3rd Dam: Skiphall (GB), by Halling
(300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; HK$4,800,000 HRA '21 HKJUN). O-Peter Lau Pak Fai; B-Corduff Stud & T J Rooney; T-Danny C S Shum; J-James McDonald; HK$2,850,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 4yo & G1SW-HK, 9-8-0-0, HK$42,815,400. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Tourbillon Diamond (Aus), 123, g, 6, Olympic Glory (Ire)–Modave (NZ), by Montjeu (Ire). (A$7,000 Ylg '18 MMJUN). O-Shum Mak Ling, Jimmy Tang, Bennie Lau Yuk Lung & William Shum Wai Lam; B-Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd (NSW); T-Danny C S Shum; J-Alexis Badel; HK$1,100,000.
3–Senor Toba (Aus), 123, g, 5, Toronado (Ire)–Bahamas (Aus), by Teofilo (Ire). (A$180,000 Ylg '19 INGMAR). O-Willie May Syndicate; B-D Peacock (SA); T-Caspar Fownes; J-Vincent C Y Ho; HK$5750,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3/4, HF. Odds: 6-5, 77-10, 8-1.
Also Ran: Ka Ying Star (GB), Money Catcher (NZ), Panfield (Chi), Beauty Joy (Aus), Savvy Nine (Fr), Russian Emperor (Ire). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Redemption For Lucky Sweynesse
While the progressive Lucky Sweynesse may have been somewhat disappointing when failing to take advantage of an 11-pound weight concession from champion sprinter Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) in the G2 Premier Bowl H. four weeks ago, the 4-year-old turned the tables Sunday with a determined victory in the Jockey Club Sprint.
Asked for some early speed by Zac Purton, Lucky Sweynesse secured a good spot in centerfield as triple-digit longshots Kurpany (Fr) (Mayson {GB}) and Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) ensured a good gallop. In the slipstream of the odds-on Wellington as they raced into the final three furlongs, Lucky Sweynesse was pulled out about seven wide off the home corner and rolled up outside of Wellington at the 200-metre mark. But Wellington could find no more soon after and Lucky Sweynesse went on with it to score narrowly. Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}), last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint favourite who went down in that nasty fall, finished gamely for second, while Duke Wai (NZ) (Per Incanto) came from well back to complete a New Zealand-bred 1-2-3. The winner covered his final half-mile in :43.62.
“I thought it was a soft win. He's done a good job, he's a horse on the way up,” said Purton. “He didn't begin that great. I didn't have any option but to take the spot I got, which worked out well with the way the race was run.”
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK PRIVATE BANKING JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT-G2, HK$5,000,000, Sha Tin, 11-20, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:07.55, gd.
1–LUCKY SWEYNESSE (NZ), 123, g, 4, by Sweynesse (Aus) 1st Dam: Madonna Mia (NZ) (SW-NZ, $134,764), by Red Clubs (Ire) 2nd Dam: Hill of Hope (Aus), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Macozie (Aus), by Marscay (Aus) 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST STAKES WIN. (NZ$90,000 2yo '20 NZBRTR). O-Cheng Ming Leung; B-P L Dombroski, Explosive Breeding Ltd & S A Sharrock; T-Manfred K L Man; J-Zac Purton; HK$2,850,000. Lifetime Record: 10-7-2-1, HK$12,752,200. *Full to Signora Nera (Aus), G1SP-Aus, GSP-NZ, $145,027. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Lucky Patch (NZ), 123, g, 6, El Roca (Aus)–Gould (Aus), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (A$40,000 Ylg '18 MMJUN). O-Patch Syndicate; B-G Harvey; T-Pierre P C Ng; J-Jerry C L Chau; HK$1,100,000.
3–Duke Wai (NZ), 123, g, 7, Per Incanto–Swan Lake (NZ), by Green Perfume. (NZ$40,000 Wlg '16 NZBMAY; NZ$45,000 Ylg '17 NZBFEB; NZ$70,000 RNA 2yo '17 NZBRTR). O-Herman Wai Ho Man; B-Waikato Stud Ltd; T-Pierre P C Ng; J-Harry Bentley; HK$5750,000.
Margins: NK, 1, HF. Odds: 7-2, 30-1, 68-1.
Also Ran: Sight Success (Aus), Cordyceps Six (Aus), Wellington (Aus), Stronger (Aus), Sky Field (Aus), Super Wealthy (Aus), Courier Wonder (NZ), Computer Patch (Aus), Winning Dreamer (NZ), Kurpany (Fr), Master Eight (Aus). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Nine of the finest jockeys representing six of the world's most important racing jurisdictions will take part in the Longines International Jockeys' Championship (IJC) to be held at iconic Happy Valley Racecourse on Hong Kong Island Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Making her third appearance in the IJC, having finished second in last year's event, is England's Hollie Doyle, who set a new record for wins by a female jockey in a British calendar year in last term. The 26-year-old has put together another fine season in 2022 and earned her first victory in a European Classic when Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) won the G1 Prix de Diane Longines before adding the G1 Qatar Nassau S. for John and Thady Gosden. Doyle's husband, Tom Marquand, also jets in for the third time for the IJC.
Kah, also just 26, is the most successful female jockey in Australian history, with eight Group 1 wins to her credit and better than 1,100 victories overall. During the 2020/2021 season, Kah became the first to ride over 100 winners in a single Victorian metropolitan season, besting the record of Brett Prebble.
New Zealander James McDonald has gone close in the IJC previously, finishing second on two occasions and once third from six previous appearances. It's been another cracking season for McDonald in Australia, where his 14 Group 1 successes includes the G1 Cox Plate aboard Anamoe (Aus) (Street Boss). McDonald currently sits first in the Longines World's Best Jockey Award standings.
Zac Purton, the tearaway leader on the Hong Kong jockeys' premiership, is already a three-time winner of the IJC and its two-time defending champion. Ryan Moore has a pair of IJC trophies to his name and takes part in the world's richest event of its kind for a 16th time.
Completing the foreign-based contingent are IJC debuter Jye McNeil, currently riding on a short-term contract in Hong Kong; France's Mickael Barzalona; and Japan's Yuga Kawada, who piloted Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to a memorable victory in last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup. The three remaining spots in the field of 12 will be filled by locally based jockeys, including the second and third on the jockeys's table and the leading 'homegrown' rider as of the conclusion of racing at Happy Valley Nov. 23.
