In her newest weblog, Sky Sports activities Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle discusses her upcoming rides in Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.
Excited to be again in Hong Kong
Pitting my abilities towards the world’s high jockeys is what I try for thus I am so excited to be using in Hong Kong on Sunday and once more subsequent Wednesday, stay on Sky Sports activities Racing, earlier than flying out to Saudi Arabia to participate within the Worldwide Jockeys’ Problem.
I head off to the Far East with my husband Tom (Marquand) after using at Southwell on Friday and with 4 Hong Kong winners on my report, I’m already wanting ahead to 9 rides at Sha Tin which, as at all times, shall be a tremendous expertise for us each.
The decision got here following the accidents to 4 jockeys on the market final week together with Zac Purton and Vincent Ho. We’re each grateful for the possibility to return a lot earlier than anticipated to spice up the numbers within the weighing room however extra importantly hope they’re all again in motion quickly.
Dragon amongst main probabilities
My second experience, Dragon 4 Seas, seems to have a fantastic likelihood within the second division of 1200m Daisy Handicap (5.30am) after scoring a course and distance success final month. Manfred Man’s four-year-old does not have the very best of attracts out in stall 12 however has run effectively at this observe from troublesome beginning positions earlier than.
The same destiny awaits Billionaire Secret within the Lotus Handicap (7.00am) over 1800m. Jimmy Ting’s skilled gelding posted his finest effort for a while when second over 2000m at this observe three weeks in the past so I am hoping he’ll hit the road sturdy over this shorter distance.
Namjong Kingdom received a Naas handicap for Fozzy Stack in April final yr off a ranking of 85 however hasn’t but discovered his area of interest in 4 runs in Hong Kong. Nonetheless, he completed his race off properly at Sha Tin final time, suggesting he’ll respect the step up in journey within the Marigold Handicap (7.35).
Thor can construct on Sha Tin type in characteristic Handicap
The characteristic race, the Heung Yee Kuk Cup Handicap (8.05am) shall be run over 1600m which ought to show ideally suited for Danny Shum’s Romantic Thor, a secure companion of Namjong Kingdom who ran a pleasant race at this observe over the Christmas interval over an additional 400m.
I start Sunday’s card on Me Tsui’s Bingo Babe within the 1200m Daisy Handicap (5.00am). I am going to want begin from stall two to enhance upon current efforts round Completely satisfied Valley and hyperlink up with the identical coach on Candlelight Dinner within the Osmanthus Handicap (8.35am) over 1000m.
Francis Lui’s Fortunate Gold ran the 1400m effectively final time regardless of ending simply out of the placings so could possibly be able to higher within the Jasmine Handicap (6.00am) whereas the well-drawn Draco may have particular claims if he can translate his Completely satisfied Valley type within the 6.30am.
One other broad gate will not assist Aeroinvinicble within the Primula Handicap (9.10am) however Pierre Ng’s four-year-old confirmed uncooked pace from the get-go to win over 1400m in October so hopefully will not thoughts the drop again in journey.
Good to hyperlink up with Hayes on Wednesday
I’ve loved using for main Hong Kong coach David Hayes on previous visits, so I am honoured to hyperlink up with him once more on Wednesday once I hope to experience Aurio in a 1200m handicap.
One other notable experience could possibly be Cody Mo’s Flying Fortress over 1650m. This four-year-old hasn’t made the body but however has been staying on in his races over shorter journeys, which is encouraging.
I am hoping to have eight rides on the midweek fixture earlier than flying on to Saudi for the opening day of the dear Saudi Cup assembly on Friday once I’ll be competing within the Diriyah Worldwide Jockeys’ Problem.
Taking up the world’s finest in Saudi problem
I will be one in every of seven feminine jockeys competing towards seven male riders for a $100,000 prize at Riyadh. Amongst my opponents shall be not too long ago topped Longines World’s Finest Jockey James McDonald.
Additionally using within the four-race problem shall be British champion Oisin Murphy and his fellow countryman Tadhg O’Shea, who has been the main jockey in Dubai for a few years. The star-studded line-up additionally options 2024 winner Maryline Eon of France, Rachel King, Christophe Soumillon and US legend John Velazquez, who has ridden over 6,000 winners.
It is an thrilling day’s racing forward of the Saudi Cup fixture subsequent Saturday and I am honoured as soon as once more to be representing my nation on a global stage so quickly after participating within the Hong Kong model again in December.
Hollie Doyle was chatting with Sky Sports activities Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.
