Irad Ortiz Jr. 'very excited' about Hong Kong trip

As children, Irad and Jose would sneak into Hipodromo Camarero in Puerto

Rico, and watch their idols Angel Cordero Jr. and John Velazquez -- both native

Puerto Ricans and now Hall of Famers -- who have mentored the brothers who

became only the third pair of siblings, and the youngest, to compete in a

Kentucky Derby.

Ortiz Jr. has established himself as one of North America's premier jockeys.

This year he was the leading rider at Belmont's fall meeting; he is currently

the leading rider on the NYRA circuit and his first Breeders' Cup success came

aboard Lady Eli in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

"I'm very excited about this trip, it's my first time going to Hong Kong and

I want to thank everyone involved at the Hong Kong Jockey Club for giving me

this chance," Ortiz said. 

Ortiz counts nine Grade 1 victories on his CV and his appearance along with

New Zealand-born James McDonald, who is also 22, means that Hong Kong fans will

have the chance to see arguably the world's two best young riders in action.

Ortiz's four IJC rides are Panther Run, Golden Bauhinia, Novel Start and

Supreme Wine.

Hong Kong's three representatives in Wednesday's IJC were on hand Monday

morning at Sha Tin, for the allocation of mounts in the four championship races

and came away with mixed fortunes.

Zac Purton, reigning Hong Kong champion jockey and runner-up in the past two

IJC series, is hoping that drawing Win It -- in the first championship race --

will be a positive omen while this season's premiership leader Joao Moreira and

young gun Vincent Ho studied the draw intently and both concluded that they had,

at least, drawn well enough to be in contention.

Moreira, the 2012 IJC winner, said he was "proud" to be riding in the series.

"It makes me feel proud to be part of it. It is a recognition and reward for

hard work to be riding against the world's best. It's a tough job to win it and

the barrier draw always plays a big part in the races at Happy Valley.

"I've drawn Griffindor for John Moore which is good. He's a horse I'm

familiar with and he's drawn well. He could go close to winning and maybe if I

can win one leg and have a couple of placings, that will be enough. I'm not that

familiar with my other mounts but I'll figure them out with the trainers."

Purton said he was looking forward to the night's competition but doubts he

can go one better than his second placings behind Kerrin McEvoy last year and

behind Moreira the year before.

"At first look it's going to be difficult with the rides I have but you never

know in these challenges.

"The first couple I've drawn, Win It and Fire Starter, should run well. Win

It's a last start winner and I've won on him. I know the horse and if he can put

two together and win the first heat, then at least I'll be off to a flier,"

Purton said.

Ho, who kicks off with the Caspar Fownes trained Southchina Command in the

first leg (the 4TH race), said he thought his draw was "OK."

"I think most of my horses have some chance. I start with Southchina Command

who could be an improver with blinkers first time and the step up to 1,650

meters.

"It's my first time competing in the Jockeys' Championship and it's a great

honor to be participating and representing Hong Kong. Hopefully knowing the

track gives me an advantage," Ho said.

The Hong Kong based jockeys will be taking on the world's best with their

list of rivals reading like a jockey's who's who. Defending champion McEvoy and

World's Best Jockey Award winner Ryan Moore are joined by another previous

winner Christophe Soumillon along with Pat Smullen, James McDonald, Richard

Hughes, Yuichi Fukunaga and S'Manga Khumalo.

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