Hong Kong 2022 International Jockey Championship: Spot Plays

Wednesday's Happy Valley races are the Longines International Jockeys Championship day. Seven jockeying from outside Hong Kong join five locally-based riders for the four-race event. The international challenge is headed by Ryan Moore, the British rider who recently won the outstanding jockey award at the Breeders’ Cup, and James McDonald, who won world”s best jOCke for 2022. Other riders are Tom Marquand, Hollie Doyle, Mickael Barzalona, Hugh Bowman, Jamie Kah, Silvestre de Sousa, Lyle Hewitson, Matthew Chadwick and Vincent Ho.

#1 Forte is a six-year-old New Zealand-bred by Per Incanto. It's his first start for the season. Purton has the advantage of the ace draw with #7 Supreme Lucky. Chadwick with Faribault and Barzalona with Circuit Seven are other contenders.

Bowman has another outstanding chance with #3 Royal Pride. Marquand's mount, #4 Spicy Grill, is worth considering. #9 Sunny Delight and #1 Win Win Fighter were first and second in a race over this distance on Nov. 23.

Doyle's mount, #3 Rising From Ashes, finished second two starts back and fifth in a decent field Nov. 16. Her husband Marquand is aboard #7 Winning Dragon. Winning dragon won the race that Rising from Ashes contested Nov., 16 and is up five pounds in the ratings.

#1 Gold Marquis won the last Hong Kong 2022 International Jockey Championship on Nov. 16. #3 Adios finished third. Xponential came second in the race last time. He has a good barrier and draws Purton.