At home in Hong Kong Jye McNeil tested positive and can't make it in time so Hugh Bowman, in town on a short-term contract, gets the nod. Then Hollie Doyle gave an inconclusive test on arrival but fortunately after being tested last night and again this morning has been given the all-clear.
And then Yuga Kawada tested positive in Japan so hasn't even made it onto the plane and his spot has gone to Lyle Hewitson, a South African who is resident in Hong Kong.
The allocation of mounts for the jockeys took place on Monday and with a great many reservations we give our not very-educated reading of the 4 races make up the IJC.
The first of these comes as Race 4 where we like the chances of David Hayes and Hugh Bowman's Forte. Currently on 5.2 with Zac Purton's ride Supreme Lucky getting the 1 gate and he was impressive on debut but this is only his second start so 4.5 looks a bit skinny!
Universal Crown has a huge weight advantage with Hollie Doyle riding for Doulas Whyte and they are big value on 19.0! Faribault could find a spot here too on 9.6 with Matthew Chadwick in pretty good form and riding this time for Pierre Ng.
Race 5 is over 1650m and at present has Bowman's ride Royal Pride who won last time out over c&d, is favourie on 3.0. We rather like the chances of Spicy Grill who is by Pierro and is on 8.7 for Pierre Ng and Tom Marquand. Lyle Hewitson picks up the ride on Sunny Delight 10.0 and Star Contact with Silvestre de Sousa riding is on 11.0.
Race 7 is also over the 1650m and Zac Purton's Packing Famous is on 4.1. He's a c&d winner and Zac rode him for a 5th recently so knows him – they are on 4.1. Storm Legend is on 8.1 for Fownes-de Sousan and a roughie here Amazing One Plus on 27.0 for Yung and Vincent Ho. And maybe the 4th pick for Rising from Ashes for Hollie Doyle.eHH
Race 8 is over 1200m and here we like Adios for Franke Lor and Silvestre de Sousa, and then not much between Xponentially who is a 3-times c&d winner and Zac's mount and Happy Sharing on 7.4 for Hugh Bowman. We have a roughie here too since it's the last of the IJC races and that is Namjong Sings with Mikael Barzalona riding and they are on 19.0.
We will have the flying horsebox in Hong Kong tomorrow to bring you all the latest for the Internationals on Sunday.
