Eddery to return

FORMER British champion jockey Pat Eddery will make a long-awaited return to the territory when he rides in next month's International Races.

The Irish-born, multiple-champion of Britain will partner Alriffa in the glamorous International Vase and looks assured of further rides on the eight-race programme.

Eddery has not ridden in Hong Kong for a decade following numerous winter stints here in the early days of professional racing in the 1970s. He last rode here for trainer Bruce Hutchison for a winter spell in 1983.

Eddery will come to Hong Kong after the Japan Super Jockeys' Series in which Hong Kong's Basil Marcus and Ireland's Mick Kinane will also ride.

Marcus and Kinane leave for Tokyo next week.

With the much-changed International Races lineup now finally settled, a galaxy of international riding talent looks likely to eclipse the horses on display.

Walter Swinburn, due here shortly to being a three-month winter stint, and reigning British champion jockey, Frankie Dettori, add further lustre to the European challenge.

Dettori has a full book of International Races rides and Swinburn will partner Soviet Line for Michael Stoute in the International Bowl.

where rising star Richard Quinn will be on board the fancied Young Ern.

Another former British champion, South African-born Michael Roberts, has been confirmed as rider for the Clive Brittain-trained Alflora.