Umberto Rispoli may not be participating in the LONGINES International Jockeys Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, but the Italian rider is hopeful of making an impact regardless in front of a global audience when he partners Packing Dragon in the Class 2 Brazil Handicap (1800m).
The four legs of the IJC – races four, five, seven and eight – are restricted to the 12 participating riders in the series, but the other five events on the card are open to any of Hong Kong’s licensed jockeys as well. For Rispoli, that means four rides at the meeting.
Packing Dragon, a NZ-bred Mastercraftsman half-brother to 2012 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile winner Ambitious Dragon, carries topweight in Wednesday’s Class 2. It was a mark earned through four wins at Happy Valley last season, including three over 1800m.
Last start, Packing Dragon finished 14 lengths from runaway winner Classic Emperor on the dirt with Rispoli aboard – a run that is best forgotten, according to the jockey.
“He was never in the race,” Rispoli said. “I don’t think he was as fit as he is now. Of course he needs a couple of races to bring him up to the mark. I galloped him over 800m down the back straight at Sha Tin last Thursday, the horse feels very well and I think he’s in good form now.
“Happy Valley is his track, the 1800m suits, I think from the nice draw it would be better if he can jump out and lead. If he can dominate, he is always hard to run down.”
On this night last season, Packing Dragon also lined up in the same Class 2 handicap over 1800m. Ridden by Mickael Barzalona, he recorded fast early splits – so fast, in fact, that the two horses that were with him on the speed finished second-last and last. However, he kicked three lengths clear and was only run down in the shadows of the post to finish third, beaten a head by subsequent Gr.3 winner Supreme Profit.
“It was such a good run last year,” Rispoli said. “He didn’t have much weight but the way that he kicked under Mickael, it was very good to see. If he can run to that level, he can win again for sure. It’s such an open race this year but I believe he’s still able to win off his current mark.” -HKJC