BOWMAN TO DEFEND HONG KONG TITLE

Hugh Bowman

Sydney’s Hugh Bowman will be defending his title when the world's best jockeys compete for the Longines International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday 6 December.

A HK$800,000 prize fund makes the annual four-race showcase at Hong Kong's iconic city track the richest jockey challenge in the world and Ontrack’s Hong Kong racing tour 2017 will be trackside to cheer Hugh on.

The Ontrack tour leaves December 5 to take in everything offered during the Longines Hong Kong international races in 2017 including the Jockey Championship on the Wednesday night and the International Race Day at Sha Tin on the Sunday.

Four Hong Kong-based riders and eight of the very best of their overseas counterparts will form a brilliant line-up, with each rider competing for the HK$500,000 winner's prize.

Hugh Bowman won the title last year and Australia’s ambassador will have to be at his best to head off a star-studded line up this year including local champ Joao Moreira, two times IJC winner Ryan Moore, Brazilian sensation Leandro Henrique and UK champion Silvestre de Sousa.

The Hong Kong jockeys will be selected from the leading local riders but it’s almost certain Australian expat Zac Purton will be one of the four locals to compete.

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