Two wins, a flying dismount and the barrier draw

3 minute read

It's getting very busy in Hong Kong and activity stepped up a notch when Frankie Dettori won two races and thus the International Jockeys' Championship.

There was a large crowd of nearly 22,000 and a great atmosphere at Happy Valley last night for the

International Jockeys' Championship. Frankie Dettori bookended the competition and so won his third

of these events. NZ jockey James McDonald had a win and a second so came close but not close

enough.

This morning the barrier draw for the four International races on Sunday took place. The 2400m Vase,

race 4 on the card, was a good result for Melbourne Cup winner Dunedin who got gate 3. Sarah Lynx is

in 4 and veteran Mr Medici 6.

The Sprint is a fascinating result with Rocket Man and Sacred Kingdom out in gates 13 and 14 and

local stars Little Bridge, Green Birdie and Entrapment in 3, 4 and 5 with Lucky Nine in 6.

The Mile was a good result for NZ galopper and Cox Plate second Jimmy Choux, who has been given a

mirror and an iPod to keep him company as he was a bit lonely at first. He's got gate 2 and Rajsaman,

Freddy Head's Linamix 4yo colt is in 4. He was just beaten into fourth place last year and is looking a

better horse this year following a good season. Japanese filly Apapane is in 9 - not the best nor the

worst. Yesterday she got the better of Curren Chan and Pas de Trois in a hit out on the turf and this

morning in the trotting ring she would not let Pas de Trois lead - she had to be first!

Cirrus des Aigles drew 2 for the Cup, Pure Champion 3, UK runner Ransom Note 4 and local hero

Ambitious Dragon 5. This race has been reduced to 10 runners so the draw isn't mega important.

This morning Byword and Vadamar had a trot around the AWT and then went on to the turf for a canter.

Japanese Vase contender Trailblazer also had a nice canter on the turf - he was 4th in the Japan Cup

two weeks ago so doesn't need to do too much.

Rocket Man stayed in the trotting area this morning having done a turf workout yesterday. Connections

appear to be happy with him and he is the top horse in the Sprint.