Greg Cheyne jets out to Malaysia
Cape jockey Greg Cheyne is set to defend his 2013 International Jockeys Championship title when he jets out to Kuala Lumpur this week.
The Selangor Turf Club in partnership with Australasian Bloodstock Agency and HS Farm Stay will be featuring the fourth edition of the STC Australasian Bloodstock Agency & HS Farm Stay International Jockeys Championship during the weekend of its Piala Emas Sultan Selangor Race Meeting on 7 and 8 June 2014.
Cheyne won the Kenilworth Cup at last year’s meeting and says he is looking forward again to be riding with some of the world’s best.
The Kenilworth Cup is part of the twinning agreement established in 1997 between the then Gold Circle Western Province and the Selangor Turf Club.
The reciprocal Gr2 Selangor Cup is run every year in December at Kenilworth and was won by champion Variety Club in 2011.
Cheyne flies out of Cape Town on Wednesday morning and will be accompanied by his wife Claire.
The International Challenge will be held on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
Cheyne will spend the following week holidaying and celebrates his 38th birthday on Tuesday 10 June.
He has applied for a day licence to ride in Kuala Lumpur again on Saturday 14 June and will partner Ace Surprise in the final leg of the Malaysian 3yo Championship.
Greg rides the smart Ocean Fantasy in the Gr1 feature this Sunday.
Leading the illustrious group of riders this year are 2011 and 2012 Champion, Australian Noel Callow, Craig Robert Newitt who also represents Australia and Indian Imran Chisty Siddiqui.
Melbourne based Jockey Craig Newitt licensed by Racing Victoria Limited has ridden 26 Group 1 winners, 18 Group 2 winners and 30 Group 3 winners. Newitt who has already enjoyed a wonderful season with four Group 1 wins this year is eager to keep the momentum going.
Newitt who is currently ranked ninth in Victoria won the Lexus Newmarket Handicap and the Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes in 2013. He clinched the Australian Cup two years in a row in 2006 and 2007. Newitt has had eight Melbourne Cup rides for a best finish of fifth on Harris Tweed five years ago.
Indian jockey Imran Chisty Siddiqui licensed by Bangalore Turf Club is currently ranked second in Bangalore and is looking forward to his second outing to Malaysia since his first appearance in 2008. The 37 years old jockey has won the Group 2 Golconda Oaks and Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2013. He won the Group I Oasis Star Sprinter’s Cup riding Attila in March 2011.
Flashback to last year. Greg Cheyne with Lerisse and Vidrik Thurling
Another prominent challenger to the Champion Jockey title would be Ryuji Wada representing Japan. The 36 years old is currently ranked 16 in Japan and licensed by Japan Racing Association has recorded close to 900 career wins with 7 Group 1 wins, 8 Group 2 wins and 18 Group 3 wins. Among his major Group 1 wins are the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen in 2001.
New Zealander Johanathan Parkes total career win stands at 404, and last year, he had a sensational racing season winning a total of 106 races.
Other foreign jockeys who have confirmed their participation are Jose de Souza representing Brazil, Brett Doyle and Renato Souza de Jesus representing Britain, and Davy Bonilla representing France.
The Malaysian team is represented by seven times Champion Jockey, I Azhar and 2013 Champion Jockey of Malaysia, Jai Shankar.
Cheyne will be back in the saddle for the Fairview meeting on Friday 20 June. Piere Strydom deputises and rides for the Alan Greeff yard this coming Friday.
Good luck Greg!
