Happy Lucky Dragon Win likes to follow a theme, but after being left an empty shell by a week of frivolity, all we are left with is a list, however long, of random observations from the fabulous all-you-can eat smorgasbord that is the Longines Hong Kong International Races and the week that precedes it.

It is seven days where we are taken on a racing roller coaster, from the "Class Five world championships" at Sha Tin two Sundays ago – one of the worst collection of races we have seen – to the International Jockeys’ Championship on Wednesday, to the actual “Turf World Championships” and one of the most spectacular racetrack performances ever seen – Able Friend’s stunning performance in the Hong Kong Mile.

JAPANESE JOCKEY STRIKES BACK

Has there been a more derided, lambasted and generally set upon group of sportspeople in 2014 than Japanese jockeys? The Brazilian football team maybe, after losing the World Cup semi-final 7-1 in front of their own fans?

After this year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, a race that is becoming an annual disappointment for Japan’s rabid race fans, it seemed all anyone wanted to do was line up and gave the three Japanese riders involved a kick in the pants.

While Japanese horses terrify everyone wherever they go – not least of all because most of them seem crazy, but because they are so damn good – riders have copped a bad wrap for a while now.

Wins in a Jockey Challenge are never as simple as “best rider wins” – it’s a contest for sure, but luck plays a bigger part. Still, Yuichi Fukunaga’s win in this year’s IJC restored some pride in the Japanese flag.

Fukunaga certainly turned trainer Tony Millard into a believer.

At the Monday draw for the IJC, we looked over at Tony Millard and thought there was something seriously wrong with the South African as he rubbed his temples in the manner of somebody trying to send a telepathic message while suffering from a severe migraine. Alas, he had just drawn Fukunaga to ride his horses in two of the legs.

It brought to mind an idea someone had to liven up the draw process – a “wild card” that allows jockeys or trainers to refuse to team up together.

But that would rob us of the best part of IJC night – jockey and trainers who never work together, and perhaps even dislike each other, being thrown together to talk tactics next to Happy Valley’s parade ring.

Come Wednesday night though, after Fukunaga got the best out of the previously winless Vara Pearl, Millard was heard to exclaim: “I love Japan!”

Fukunaga’s other winner came on Ocean Roar for Almond Lee, who reckoned the lack of respect shown to Japanese riders might have even contributed to the victory.

“I think they saw him in front and thought, ‘Oh, it’s only a Japanese rider on a bunny,’ and just let him go along on his own,” Lee said post-race.

Maybe it’s time to reassess how we view Japanese jockeys and put aside the fact it seems like the ever-gyrating Yasunari Iwata looks like he is going to fall off at any moment every time he goes for home. Or maybe not.

Other ways to make IJC better were touched on in Alan Aitken’s On The Rails column last week – boosting the quality of the races by either an increase in prize money or some sort of qualifying criteria.

Irad Ortiz Jnr came all the way from America to see what Hong Kong racing was all about, only for three of his four mounts to go around at more than 100-1. He might as well have been given a kid’s tricycle – it would have been more fun and he would have had just as much chance of winning.

WHY AREN’T LOCAL MEDIA INTERESTED IN OVERSEAS CONNECTIONS?

A Chinese media colleague gave a revealing answer to an inane, pass-the-time question at trackwork during the week.

“Who do you think will win the big races?”

“Paul O’Sullivan’s horse,” he replied confidently.

“Aerovelocity, you mean?”

“No, Star Track.”

My media friend was talking about a Class Three handicap on the undercard, bless his notepad, and Star Track’s big clash with Packing Pins and Giant Treasure.

It was an intriguing race, for sure, between a trio of 2015 BMW Hong Kong Derby aspirants – but the Hong Kong Mile it wasn’t, and the honest response spoke to the lack of recognition locals sometimes give to a fantastic event happening right in front of them.

And also, perhaps, to the lofty place the Derby holds – the Derby is king, and is still “that one race of the year” to locals.

There is one surefire way to get Chinese racegoers excited about the internationals – if short-priced favourites keep lobbing it will quickly become the biggest day of the season.

And while the days of locals just “looking on” during the Group Ones and saving money for the lower grade events, where runners are more familiar, are fast disappearing, there is still a disconnect – at least as far as local media are concerned.

Very few of the local media were spotted chatting with the visiting trainers or their representatives, who were readily available and willing to give interviews. The exception, of course, was David Hayes, who reached demigod status during his tenure here.

So what is the barrier?

Maybe the locals just don’t care much for unfamiliar faces – they are more fancied and the betting boards reflect that – but it would be nice to see more of a push from local media when it comes to the foreign raiders.

For many, it seems, a winner is a winner – whether it is a Class Five handicap or a five-star performance.

THE MAGIC MAN USES HIS POWERS OF PATIENCE

Not needing any extra promotion, and already on a fast track to demigod status is "Magic Man" Joao Moreira, who was swamped after appearing at the family fun day-themed "breakfast with the stars" trackwork session 24 hours before international day.

After appearing on stage for an interview, he stopped for photographs with what seemed to be every person in the New Territories and half of Guangdong province on his way home.

We even offered to step in and pretend to be security to ensure Moreira got home before dark. No need. Moreira gladly answered every photo request.

Watching it unfold as the queues began to build up, and each member of each family took their turn, you wondered when the cracks would appear and the Brazilian’s patience would wear thin.

It didn’t, and he is appreciative of the support.

“It means I am doing something right and winning races,” Moreira said. “I would rather that, than not getting notice. Tthat would mean I am not winning.”

There might be room for a debate on who is the world’s best jockey, but there’s not much of a contest for who is the most accommodating with his time and is the most humble in nature.

Even Moreira’s response when asked whether he would extend his six-month licence until the end of the year was revealing of his character.

“I will put an application in and I hope the Jockey Club will consider it,” he said, without a hint of sarcasm.

HOPE the Jockey Club will consider it?

Moreira might have his careless riding issues at times, but he is a model citizen and a shining example for any professional athlete in terms of his behaviour.

Jockey Club officials will move faster than Able Friend when it comes to wrapping up Moreira for as long as possible.

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