The smart money is on the Rest of the World team at Ascot this afternoon, as four ‘nations’ battle it out in one of the more imaginative race meetings of recent years.
Fourteen years after it was first established, Ascot’s Shergar Cup for national jockey teams, is capturing the imagination of the public as never before.
The meeting is comprised of a six-furlong race for three-year-olds, contests over a mile and a mile and a half for fillies of four and upwards, seven and 10-furlong heats for four-year-old-plus colts and geldings, and a 0-110 handicap over a mile and three-quarters.
Four teams of riders from all over the world compete over the six races for the coveted trophy and a fair amount of prize money. Great Britain, Ireland, Europe and Rest of the World will battle it out this afternoon, as racegoers cheer their team to victory
The Ireland team, captained by Richard Hughes are looking for a third team championship this year, but south African Douglas Whyte, believes his Rest of the World line-up, which includes Australian Hugh Bowman and Japanese Yutaka Take, plans to spoil their chances.
Whyte is the most successful jockey in Hong Kong’s 40-year professional history, but is currently looking for work in Europe.
“For me, it is the glory and winners,” he says earnestly. “I would love to ride for two years in England or France. It is a racing scene that inspires me,” he said.
The Japanese star rider Yutaka Take who has years of international competition in top-flight racing behind him is hoping to put his experience to good use by bringing home Rock A Doodle Doo in the three o clock race.
Meanwhile, Hugh Bowman is being backed to win the top jockey honours for the rider accumulating the most points during the meeting, due to support for three of his five rides today.
He partners course winner Swift Gift in the opening Shergar Cup Mile, rides La Vecchia Scola in the 2m Shergar Stayers Handicap, and will be aboard Dungannon in the Shergar Cup Dash.
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