Irad Ortiz representing U.S. in Hong Kong jockey challenge

Irad can also rely on a trustworthy ally as his grandfather, also named Irad,

is accompanying him from America. The Puerto Rican is confident his grandson

will soon quickly learn the ropes at the Valley.

"Ever since he was a little boy, he has been extremely gifted in the saddle,"

the grandfather said. "Me and his father were also jockeys, at El Comandante in

Puerto Rico as well as in New York, and as soon as he started to ride, Irad

showed something very special."

New Yorkers soon figured out that gift as Irad was crowned leading rider at

Belmont's fall meet this year with 46 winners. Overall, he has ridden 782

winners stateside since his arrival in the U.S. circuit in the spring of 2011.

The first black South African jockey to be crowned champion in the Rainbow

Country, S'Manga Khumalo doesn't expect to be phased by Happy Valley's

peculiarities.

"It is a bit familiar to me as the first bend after the post reminds me of

Greyville racecourse in Durban, where I won the Durban July in 2013," he noticed

as he looked down on the track. "I have also participated in other jockeys'

challenges in Britain and in the U.S.A., and it is always a great opportunity

for me to see the best riders in action from within.

"Obviously, the local jockeys have an edge, and it is all down to your

horses' abilities but at the end of the day, we all try to do our job the best

we can, that is starting well, keep our horse in good motion and try to adapt

your style to the situation. I am eager to show that I can succeed as much as my

competitors."

About to be presented with the first ever Longines World's Best Jockey award,

Moore, representing Great Britain, is the only one of this year's participants

to have twice won the challenge.

"I think I have one (mount) with a chance but overall I am a long shot for

Wednesday night but I am hoping for a good evening," Moore said.

Meanwhile, France's Soumillon is a leading challenger with two of the four

legs' favorites on his side Wednesday night.

"I have not won in Hong Kong for a while and yet I always receive lots of

support from the local fans so I am eager to please them," said Souimillon, who

will pilot the classy veteran Cirrus Des Aigles in Sunday's Hong Kong Cup.

"I am drawn 12 of 12 in the first so that's a long shot. I have got a chance

in the second leg, a 1,000 meter sprint, and I ride a horse for Casper Fownes in

the last leg with a live chance. I am glad that I got such good rides overall

and we will probably have a good time on Wednesday night."

About to be crowned French champion jockey for the seventh time, Soumillon

comes into the contest in great form having landed the Japan Cup on Epiphaneia

10 days ago.

Local leading rider Moreira, winner of this championship in 2012, is regarded

as the best chance amongst Hong Kong representatives, while Britain's Richard

Hughes and Japan's Yuichi Fukunaga are both considered to have good chances. Yet

"Hughsie" played down his chances: "You can never tell around Happy Valley but I

have got a couple of nice rides so we'll see. I am looking forward to it."

Vincent Ho and Hong Kong's Champion Jockey Zac Purton, second in the latest

two editions of the challenge, complete the Hong Kong team, while Ireland's

seven-time champion Pat Smullen competes for the third time here.

Runner-up to Frankie Dettori in 2011, James McDonald represents New Zealand

and 2013 IJC winner McEvoy completes the line-up.

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