Excited by a rare opportunity to ride overseas, Jerry Chau Chun-lok has faith that Chancheng Glory and Self Improvement can handle Seoul’s unique sand track when the Hong Kong duo races in South Korea on Sunday.

Chau will represent Hong Kong connections abroad for the second time after teaming up with Duke Wai to finish fifth in the Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) at Meydan in 2023.

The 25-year-old, who started his career as an apprentice in Australia, cut short his summer holiday to put his hand up for the rides on Chancheng Glory in the Group Three Korea Cup (1,800m) and Self Improvement in the Group Three Korea Sprint (1,200m).

“When I noticed they were going, I just rang the trainers and let them know I really wanted the chance to represent Hong Kong overseas,” said Chau, who opted to take the two rides at Seoul rather than ride at Sha Tin’s season-opening meeting on Sunday.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m very excited.”

Seoul’s deep sand surface and anticlockwise direction of racing pose significant challenges to Chancheng Glory and Self Improvement. Super Jockey (2016) is the only Hong Kong galloper to win at Seoul from the city’s 10 runners.

Francis Lui Kin-wai’s Chancheng Glory, who won the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) last season, is yet to race on the Sha Tin dirt, while the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained Self Improvement is a four-time winner on the all-weather track.

After testing both horses in trackwork during the week, Chau is optimistic they will handle the sand surface.

“They are both working well and I think they are handling the track well,” Chau said.

“The track has had some rain on it and the surface is holding together, which is actually helping our horses, and they are both handling the left turn well.

“The forecast is for more rain. Hopefully the rain will come again and the conditions will ensure the track is suitable.

“It will depend on how they handle the track, but at this moment I’m really confident they will handle it well.”

Chancheng Glory will jump from barrier two and is rated a solid chance in the Korea Cup, with Japan’s Ramjet, Dura Erede and Diktaean expected to be among the main contenders.

Self Improvement has drawn gate seven in the Korea Sprint, which also features strong Japanese representation in the form of Chikappa, Sunrise Hawk and Tagano Beauty.

“I think Chancheng Glory can be around the first four in a handy position,” Chau said.

“I don’t think [the Korea Sprint] has a lot of pace and I think Self Improvement can be first three. I hope he can be near the front with cover – that’s best for him.

“It looks like a lot of their strongest opposition have got wide barriers and will need to cover ground. It should be a benefit for us.”

Japanese gallopers have won the past two editions of both the Korea Cup and Korea Sprint.

Both features will be simulcast for betting in Hong Kong on Sunday, along with the Group One Grosser Preis von Baden (2,400m) from Germany and two races from France – the Group One Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (1,600m) and Group One Prix Vermeille (2,400m).