Ryan Moore aims for further LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) success

By Tom Peacock
Ryan Moore was playing it typically cool over his chances in Wednesday’s (4 December) LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley.

Moore was among the 12 superstar riders at the LONGINES IJC Press Conference in Tai Kwun, the culture and heritage venue in Central, Hong Kong.

The 41-year-old has put his hands on the LONGINES IJC trophy on two occasions in 2009 and 2010 and has been virtually an ever-present in intervening years as well as winning most of the calendar’s noteworthy races.

He will be in action again across the Group 1 events in the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) this Sunday (8 December) at Sha Tin, including for Aidan O’Brien on Luxembourg in the HK$24 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and Content in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m).

Although he is thought to have a good book of rides in the four LONGINES IJC legs, he insisted the competition was wide open.

“Every single jockey in this line-up is capable of winning the competition,” Moore said.

“The draw shapes the races here, obviously that’s how it is in most places but here, you’re at the mercy of the race a lot more than it can be at other places.

“You can overcome it and that’s why you don’t know what will happen here, and why you can never be confident singling out anyone.”

Moore’s rides in the LONGINES IJC begin for his regular associate John Size, for whom he landed the 2018 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with Ping Hai Star, and is booked for previous course and distance winner Grand Nova from barrier 12 in the 1st Leg (1000m).

In the 2nd Leg (1650m) he is aboard Pierre Ng’s Viva Chaleur, who caught the eye when third last time while Caspar Fownes-trained Daring Pursuit seeks a hat-trick of course and distance victories in the 3rd Leg (1650m).

Moore rounds the night off aboard the consistent Lucky Eight for Ricky Yiu in the 4th Leg (1200m).

“I have had a quick look at them but I haven’t gone through them properly,” he said. "I think for most of the races, they were quite even. They’ve got chances although a couple of them, the sprinters, are drawn a bit wide.”

Speaking about his association with the trainers, he added: "I ride for John. Ricky and Pierre, I’ve ridden for a little bit and I’ve known Caspar a long time.

“I think you can make a case for a lot of horses in there and it depends which turns up on the day.”

Wednesday’s (4 December) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.30pm with the Class 5 Australia Handicap (1650m).