Ryan Moore looks the rider to beat in HK Championship
Clint Hutchison
– The International Jockeys’ Championship is one of the highlights in the Hong Kong racing calendar and an enticing appetiser for the International meeting this weekend, and the rider to beat this year based on his rides is Englishman Ryan Moore.
Regarded by many as the world’s best, he has certainly been fortunate enough to come up with the best set of rides over
Hong Kong
Races 4,5,7 and 8.
His biggest-priced ride will probably be Dr Race, for David Ferraris, and he actually could easily sneak in to the frame and might be a good runner to include in exotics.
However, the best bet on the card comes up in the final leg of the Jockey Series with Tony Millard’s Super Form.
The lack of pace and bad barriers have proven very costly for this galloper on his last two starts and he could have easily won both. One could argue this is a weaker field than he has faced as well, and he does look a top chance to go one better on this occasion.
Millard has kept this galloper in fine fettle and his recent performances have suggested he has a lot more to offer.
With a better barrier on this occasion, he can be expected to settle closer to the speed and that might make all the difference at the business end.
In the second leg of the series, Race 5, the Japanese rider Tosaki, rides a very good value chance with Jolly Bountiful.
This galloper created a positive impression in his rookie season and looks destined to rise higher in the ratings.
There is no doubt Jolly Bountiful might have a class edge on his rivals, but with other more popular riders on board other runners, is likely to go out a bigger price than he should.
The main concern with top weight will be how effective he can be over the minimum trip, but is likely to be Eachway odds and looks a good bet.
SUGGESTED BETS: Race8 No 9 Win; Race 5 No 1 Eachway.