Karis Teetan knows better than most the importance of taking your opportunities in the Hong Kong racing pressure-cooker, but the Mauritian jockey certainly isn’t putting too much pressure on himself ahead of his ride aboard the world’s best sprinter at Sha Tin on Sunday.
While there is serious expectation that comes with riding such a hot favourite in a Hong Kong Group One race, the fact Teetan knows he’ll be handing the reins back to Zac Purton whatever happens in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) is allowing him to approach the task with an air of freedom.
“There’s no need to put too much pressure on myself. I know that I’m riding one of the best horses in the world and I just want to enjoy the ride,” said Teetan, who partners Ka Ying Rising for the second time in the absence of the injured Purton.
Teetan’s found himself in contrasting positions on the Hong Kong jockey merry-go-round – he’s lost plenty of rides on top-line gallopers while also being in the right place at the right time on a number of occasions – and he’s ready to to seize the unexpected opportunity to snare his first Group One victory since his QE II Cup (2,000m) success aboard Romantic Warrior in April 2022.
Ka Ying Rising has Group 1 targets next season! 😏
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 2, 2024
The gifted 3YO secures the G3 Sha Tin Vase in style with @KarisTeetan for David Hayes... #HKracing pic.twitter.com/kTyzBz3OMY
“My last Group One was Romantic Warrior but this is Hong Kong. Things will go your way sometimes and then sometimes things don’t go your way. You just have to wait, be patient,” said Teetan, who took out the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m) aboard Ka Ying Rising last June.
“Unfortunately this is in a difficult situation with what happened with Zac and all the boys, but thank goodness they’re all OK and I’m just grateful to be able to pick up the ride.
“It’s very exciting, 100 per cent. I know how good this horse is and of course I’m looking forward to it. I just want to go in focused and make sure everything goes to plan.”
Standing between Teetan and victory in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup are the likes of Helios Express, reigning champion California Spangle and Howdeepisyourlove, as well as the outside gate of nine and the need for the David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising to handle the step up to seven furlongs for the first time.
“The gate is a challenge and stepping up to 1,400m is a question mark, but as David says he’s a freak and he overcomes everything that is thrown at him,” Teetan said.
“I’m just gong to ride him like I’ve done before and how Zac has ridden him and I think the horse himself knows how good he is.”
