HONG KONG DERBY ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL STARS

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Hong Kong Enquiries

​Hong Kong racing continues to get stronger and this weekend sees the Hong Kong Derby run as a burgeoning international event.

Ontrack Racing Tours takes an annual tour to the Longines International Hong Kong meeting each December featuring leading horses, trainers and jockeys from around the world, but the Hong Kong Derby is making significant progress as a significant event on the world racing stage.

International superstar jockeys Hugh Bowman and Ryan Moore have been booked to ride in Sunday’s $HK18 million classic.

Bowman rides former Queensland Derby winner Ruthven for trainer John Moore while Ryan Moore is booked to ride the John Size-trained Ping Hai Star.

But Bowman will need a clearance from a neurologist before he can head to Hong Kong for the Derby. The champion jockey won the 2016 Hong Kong Derby on Werther, and Ruthven has a very similar form profile to that horse.

Bowman suffered a concussion last Saturday when falling from a mount at Randwick when his mount suddenly veered sideways and caught the rider by surprise.

“I expect Bowman will ride on Saturday in Australia and will no doubt need to be cleared for that at the Sydney end.

​So that also is a clearance to ride here but we will want an extra clearance from a neurologist to say that he is OK to fly,” Jockey Club chief steward Kim Kelly said. 

Hong Kong Enquiries