French rider Christophe Lemaire has been posted as the favourite to win tomorrow night's Cathay Pacific International Jockeys' Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley and avenge his narrow defeat at the hands of Douglas Whyte in 2008. With the Jockey Challenge for the night given over to just the three events of the IJC, oddsmakers were out early with a betting market and Lemaire found favour as the 5.0 favourite ahead of Ireland's Johnny Murtagh (5.50). Three-time winner Whyte, star apprentice Matth
French rider Christophe Lemaire has been posted as the favourite to win tomorrow night's Cathay Pacific International Jockeys' Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley and avenge his narrow defeat at the hands of Douglas Whyte in 2008. With the Jockey Challenge for the night given over to just the three events of the IJC, oddsmakers were out early with a betting market and Lemaire found favour as the 5.0 favourite ahead of Ireland's Johnny Murtagh (5.50). Three-time winner Whyte, star apprentice Matthew Chadwick and another past winner, Andreas Suborics, were all at 6.00.
Lemaire comes fresh from a seventh placing in the Super Jockey series in Hanshin, Japan, where he also earned a careless riding suspension which has placed his participation tomorrow night in jeopardy.
At yesterday's random draw, Lemaire came up with in-form Bobo Win (race three), the best of his mounts, Grand General (race five) and Caspar Fownes-trained Achilles Of Troy (race seven).
Chadwick is sure to have support to upset his more experienced rivals in the series after drawing three worthwhile partners, including Lasker in the seventh race where the John Size-trained gelding has finally drawn a good barrier after tough runs from wide gates lately.
Canadian Chantal Sutherland was a 13.0 chance in the opening market but drew at least one realistic chance of winning a leg of the series, with John Moore-trained Champion Lad her final ride in race seven. (www.racing.scmp.com)