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Karis Teetan is predicting fierce competition in the 2024 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) when 12 of the world’s best jockeys converge on Wednesday night (4 December) at Happy Valley after the allocation of rides was completed this morning (Monday, 2 December) at Sha Tin.
Teetan partners Champion Method (129lb), Chater Gold (120lb), Silo (127lb) and Sugar Sugar (134lb) as he chases a second overall win in the HK$1 million competition after victory in 2019. He is one of four previous LONGINES IJC champions representing Hong Kong, China along with Zac Purton, Vincent Ho and Hugh Bowman this year.
"I thought the one who stands out is Champion Method. He's got a good gate (two) and he's been running well – last start was a good win. I think it's going to be a tough competition. It looks like everyone has their fair share of chances," Teetan said.
Champion Method features in the 1st Leg of the LONGINES IJC for trainer Danny Shum over 1000m as Race 4 at 8.10pm. This will be Teetan's sixth appearance in the world's most lucrative jockey challenge, which offers HK$600,000 for the winning rider.
Ryan Moore (Great Britain), James McDonald (New Zealand), Colin Keane (Ireland), William Buick (Great Britain), Yuga Kawada (Japan), Hollie Doyle (Great Britain), Rachel King (Australia) and Mickael Barzalona (France) complete the 12-rider roster.
The competition is a points-based system with 12 points for the win, six for second and four for finishing third. The overall champion is determined as the jockey with the highest accumulated points at the conclusion of the fourth leg.
Chater Gold has gate 12 to overcome in the 2nd Leg of the LONGINES IJC over 1650m. Silo is after a first Hong Kong win, having missed three times this season by under a length. The colt features in the 3rd Leg of the LONGINES IJC over 1650m.
Sugar Sugar rounds out Teetan's quartet in the 4th Leg of the LONGINES IJC for trainer Caspar Fownes, who has eight runners across the four races. Using the same scale, the trainer who has the highest number of points scoops a HK$300,000 bonus.
"I think the horses who have a chance also got good draws, so it's going to make it tough. Sugar Sugar always runs well. He's got an awkward draw (nine) to overcome but I think it's a strong race. It's a good race to finish and I think it'll be the decider – there's a few runners with great chances in the race," Teetan said.
Three-time LONGINES IJC winner (2017, 2020 & 2021) Zac Purton rides Sight Happy , Charming Steed , Aestheticism and Giant Leap in the four LONGINES IJC contests from barriers five, two, four and one, respectively.
"I would have preferred a bit more quality there," Purton said. "I think I have my work cut out for me. Giant Leap came out of a weak Class 4. He jumped well in front and took advantage of that, now he is up in grade. Charming Steed has only ever won in Class 5 and he's in Class 4 and he hasn't raced for however long."
Happy Valley's nine-race card on Wednesday night (4 December) kicks off at 6.30pm with the Class 5 Australia Handicap (1650m) at 6.30pm.
