The International Jockeys' Challenge is made up of four races

Racing in Hong Kong is always popular with punters on the betting sites. The competitive nature of the racing around a tight track like Happy Valley makes for some of the most tight-knit and spectacular racing anywhere on the planet.

The International Jockeys' Challenge is only really the appetiser to the racing in Hong Kong this week. The Group 1 racing at Sha Tin on Sunday is the main course but seeing the top jockeys on the Wednesday is now a great feature of the week at Happy Valley.

Rachel King looks to create history

No female jockey has won the International Jockeys' Challenge yet in the short history of the competition. Hollie Doyle, who is back for a fifth straight year became the first to ride a winner at the meeting and has finished second in the overall standings.

King’s rides Super Sixty in leg one over 1000m at about the $16 mark. He has one decent run over track and distance but others look stronger. Super Baby in leg two looks like her best chance of winning. Well drawn to attack from barrier one, he has claims on the prize.

Leg three will see King on Samarkand who has a wide barrier to contest with. Beaten a nose last time out, he has a place chance if King can get across. Finally, she will ride Storming Dragon. He is a consistent type who improved for the fitting a visor last time out, sporting the headgear again.

New Zealand’s James McDonald set for success

The argument will rage between the hemispheres whether James McDonald or Ryan Moore is the best hoop on the planet. Both ride in the International Jockeys' Challenge with McDonald representing his native New Zealand.

His four rides are made up of a pair that are shorter than $7 and a pair of roughies. Prince Alex in leg two and Chateauneuf in leg four are the most likely winners on paper for McDonald. The first Prince Alex won off a reduced rating last time and is still well in on his old form. The second was beaten by a poor barrier last time and should do better now.

McDonald will be on Silver Spurs in leg one and then Comet Splendido in leg three. The former was behind a string of these last time while the latter could be too high in the ratings after two wins in June.

Hugh Bowman and Zac Purton represent Hong Kong

A pair of Aussie jockeys but they will be riding for the home team during the International jockeys' Challenge. Leg one sees Bowman on Notthesillyone who has the inside barrier to attack from with Purton on Sight Happy who has a place chance.

The consistent Jumbo Fortune should score points for Bowman in leg two with Purton on Charming Steed who has won two of his last three. Leg three looks like a struggle for Bowman on Lovero with Purton having slightly stronger claims on Aestheticism.

Their final rides are on Gustosisimo (Bowman) and Giant Leap. The first of those won three times in Australia in the spring of 2023 and saluted last time out at Happy Valley for his first Hong Kong success. Giant Leap has won two of his last three over this track and distance. He has the perfect barrier in one to attack this field from the start under Purton.

The International Jockeys' Challenge is a great mix of skill and luck. You need that skill to be selected in the first place and then a lot of luck to be on the best of the local handicappers in the races. It’s a great test of all hoops.