The Hong Kong Jockey Club has implemented a new algorithm to ensure a fairer distribution of rides for the Longines International Jockeys Championship to be held today, reports scmp.com.
Hollie Doyle is joint favourite
In previous years, rides were handed out randomly, however, this meant that some high-profile jockeys threatened not to return given the way the quality of horses mattered too much and skill had little to do with the result.
The new algorithm is designed to give every jockey as close to a 8.33% chance, spread across the quartet of races, as possible. “It looks a lot more even this year. The Jockey Club certainly took our concerns on board and created a system to be able to allocate the rides in a more even manner. It appears as if that’s worked well,” 2017 IJC winner Zac Purton said.
“Although I don’t have the strongest rides, I’ve got rides there that can run some type of race. I’m not sure if I can get a winner but hopefully I can get some points and if we have a little bit of luck there you never know what might happen.”
Ryan Moore and Hollie Doyle are the current favourites with Joao Moreira.
- The first race at Happy Valley is off at 12h30
