International Jockey Challenge.

Ryan Moore finishes third in jockey challenge

RYAN MOORE finished third in the World Super Jockeys' Series at Hanshin, Japan on Sunday.

The champion jockey had ended the first day of thecompetition on Saturday level on points with local rider Norihiro Yokoyama having ridden one winner, but he failed to add to that.

Moore said: "It was a great weekend. I'd like to keep my record so I can be here again next year."

Yokoyama won the competition with 47 points with Hong Kong-based Douglas Whyte second on 38 points, one clear of Moore.

Mick Kinane was fifth with Christophe Lemaire and Ioritz Mendizabal joint seventh.

Hong Kong home team making confident noises


Hong Kong: A galaxy of international stars may be in town for the Cathay Pacific-sponsored meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday - but the home are confident of success, despite the powerful overseas team.

Although world champion sprinter Sacred Kingdom faces an array of foreign talent in the HK Sprint, the six-year-old pleased trainer Ricky Yiu on Monday as he completed his serious preparations for Sunday's race.

Ridden by big-race pilot Brett Prebble, Sacred Kingdom reportedly worked on the dirt upsides galloping companion King Acrylic.

"It was his last serious piece of work before Sunday and I was very happy with it and so was Brett," said Yiu, speaking to the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

"We both think he's where he was just before he won the KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore back in May. He pulled up well, his feet are in good shape and, to be honest, the only danger to the horse is himself!

"I know it's a very strong race this year, but he has a really good chance with the improvement we are expecting of him from the Sprint Trial."

Good Ba Ba also looks in good shape as he bids to complete a hat-trick in the HK Mile. "He worked last Thursday on the turf under Olivier [Doleuze] and it was really good," said new trainer Derek Cruz.

"He was supposed to work with a companion but the other horse couldn't keep up with him. But he didn't do too much - it was just what we wanted and I have been on him every other morning and I know that he is very fresh and well.

"His run in the Mile Trial showed significant improvement from his first-up run and that time he was a bit wide turning for home and even though Olivier didn't knock him about he was still able to run third. He has come on again since then so that puts him right in the mix for Sunday."


Trainer John Moore is launching a formidable assault on the four International races, with last year's winner Inspiration and One World (Sprint), up-and-coming Happy Zero and Group 1 winner Able One (Mile), HK Derby winner Collection (Cup) and horse of the year Viva Pataca (Cup).

Moore said: "Happy Zero's an exciting horse, Collection's on song and Inspiration's come to hand at the right time so I'm looking forward to maybe winning one or two of the international races on Sunday.

"Happy Zero and Collection look the pick of my runners and hopefully they will be flying the flag for Hong Kong."