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HK: Docklands touches down in Hong Kong
OTI Racing’s international jet–setter Docklands (Massaat) has arrived in Hong Kong ahead of his tilt at next month’s Hong Kong Mile (Gr 1, 1600m). Trained in the UK by Harry Eustace, the entire will chase the valuable prize on offer at Sha Tin on December 8 following a pair of respectable runs at Melbourne’s Spring Carnival, where he finished fifth in the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) and then sixth in the Champions Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m). Following his trip to Hong Kong, Docklands will return to Europe before another possible trip to Australia later in 2025. “He’ll head back to Europe, and we’ll have a look at a campaign over there which will have Royal Ascot included in it and then we’ll look at maybe another trip to Australia next year and he might even stay out here then,” OTI’s Terry Henderson said last week. The winner of three of his 13 starts, Docklands produced arguably his best performance when second behind Charyn (Dark Angel) in the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at the royal meeting back in June.
HK: Starlust among three supplementaries for International meeting
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Gr 1, 5f) winner Starlust (Zoustar) features among three supplementary entries made for the Hong Kong International Races. The Ralph Beckett-trained colt will be on his travels again after he was added to the field for the Hong Kong International Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m). The European sprinter will be joined in the race by another local challenger in the shape of the Francis Lui-trained Copartner Prance (Epaulette), who finished unplaced behind Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) in Sunday’s Jockey Club Sprint (Gr 2, 1200m). Also making the trip over from Europe will be The Foxes (Churchill). The Andrew Balding-trained entire is being aimed at the Hong Kong Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) after beating dual Sydney Group 1 winner Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai) in a Listed contest in the UK on the weekend.
HK: Keane aiming to end a banner year on a high in Hong Kong
Colin Keane will aim to cap a memorable year with a victory in the Hong Kong International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on December 4. Having finished in the runner-up spot behind Silvestre de Sousa on his 2018 debut, Ireland’s champion jockey will be contesting the event for the third time. “I’m delighted to get the invitation to go back again for the international jockeys’ challenge after riding in it twice before Covid,” Keane said. “It was a very unique experience with the racetrack in the middle of the city and a great atmosphere and occasion. I rode a winner on my first ride there in the first challenge race in 2018 and was lucky enough to win another leg in 2019. It would cap what has been a brilliant year if I could win it this time – I will be hoping I get the luck of the draw with the horses I get in the four races.”
HK: Teetan seeks International Jockeys’ Championship return
The line-up for next month’s International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) will be finalised at the conclusion of Wednesday’s meeting at Happy Valley with Karis Teetan and Matthew Poon fighting for the final spot. The last two positions on the 12-rider roster are open this year to the highest-ranked riders locally and, with Hugh Bowman (19 wins) wrapping up the first slot, Teetan and Poon are locked in battle for the remaining berth with 14 wins apiece. Poon trails Teetan with seven fewer second placings – in the case a countback is required to separate the duo – but has eight rides to Teetan’s three, with the latter inconvenienced by the abandonment of the final three races last Wednesday. Teetan said: “It looked like things were going my way because before the races were abandoned all of my horses were first priority and I had a full book tomorrow – then they all became reserves, so I ended up with three rides. I’m hoping, I mean those three are sort of chances. Matthew is not leaving my tail alone – every winner I ride, he then rides one, so it hasn’t been easy but at the end of the day he’s riding well, too. If he does get to ride in the IJC, then he deserves the chance but I’m there to also give it a go.”
