South Africa’s season-ending Champions Cup raceday takes centre stage at Greyville, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club simulcasting all ten races on the card. One of the main attractions is the return home of Hong Kong-based jockey Lyle Hewitson, who has secured a ride in every race.
In S2-7, the 3,200-metre World Pool Gold Cup, Hewitson partners KING PELLES. Last season’s leading South African stayer produced an excellent effort to finish third in the Durban July despite carrying a substantial weight and starting from a wide draw. Returning to his preferred 3,200 metres, the defending champion shapes as one of Hewitson’s strongest rides of the day.
S2-8, the 1,800-metre HKJC Champions Cup, also features a high-class line-up. Last year’s runner-up THE REAL PRINCE has been kept away from the Durban July this season, with connections instead targeting this Group 1 contest. Justin Snaith launches a four-pronged challenge, including EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN under Richard Fourie and SEE IT AGAIN with Keagan de Melo in the saddle, giving the powerful stable a major hand in the race.
Elsewhere, VIBE CHECK is worth following in S2-5 after being reunited with Sean Veale and arriving in strong form following a recent winning streak. In S2-6, the Mercury Sprint, CATS PAJAMAS and COSMIC SPEED are two runners capable of providing value at bigger odds.
Leading South African jockey Craig Zackey also has nine rides across the card, many of them on horses he knows well, so his bookings deserve close attention. On a major raceday such as this, looking beyond the favourites to jockey selections and proven trainer-jockey combinations can often provide another valuable route to finding an upset.