Martin Harley’s Hong Kong Diary: Righteous Doctrine could bring me another win

This week is all building up to the Hong Kong Derby on Sunday. It’s one of the biggest and most prestigious meetings of the year in Hong Kong. I think my rides have all got chances of running decent races as well. To be honest, just to have that many rides on Derby day is an achievement in itself because the likes of Ryan Moore, Oisin Murphy and Winx’s jockey Hugh Bowman are coming over for the meeting.

In terms of looking at the quality of the horses in the Hong Kong Derby and what it would be like back home, I’d say it would be like having a very good Derby trial at Chester. Young Rascal won the Chester Vase last year and a horse of that calibre would be the sort of horse you’d expect to see running in the Hong Kong Derby, and the course isn’t that dissimilar albeit it’s the other way around.

As for the Hong Kong Derby, the buzz remains around Waikuku after what he’s done in the handicap ranks building up to this race. Trainer Frankie Lor looks to have a strong hand too, but if I could ride anything in the race it would be Waikuku and I think he’ll take all the beating.

Of my rides, the two that stand out at this stage are War Room and Righteous Doctrine. War Room runs in the 6f turf handicap and the distance is probably a bit short for him this weekend. But going forward he’s one I recommend you keep an eye on.

The other horse I’m looking forward to riding is Righteous Doctrine. He was seventh in the French 2,000 Guineas last year but I was disappointed with him when I rode him in a race on the dirt track at Sha Tin last time. However, we’ve made a few adjustments and he’s back on the grass this weekend in the 7f turf handicap. The trip is perfect and I think he’s my best chance of a winner.

The other thing I’ll be doing this week, like you all, is watching the Cheltenham Festival!

Thanks for reading,

Martin