Star jockey Michael Kinane will mount a personal global challenge for the International Races with rides on horses from three different countries in the Cup, Bowl and Vase. The 39-year-old Irish ace, who arrived in Tokyo last night for his Japan Cup bid on English raider Luso on Sunday, has been confirmed as the rider for the German challenger Artan in the 2,400-metre Cup and American runner Oh Nellie in the $6.5 million Bowl. He is already down to partner Luso in the six-year-old's bid to win three consecutive runnings of the $6.5 million Vase. And champion trainer David Hayes has stepped in to book Kinane for three rides at the jockey's first meeting here next month, the December 5 day meeting at Happy Valley. Hayes made the move as retained rider and champion jockey Basil Marcus will again be making the trip to Japan for the annual Super Jockeys' Series races there. Hayes said: 'It works out rather well, really. I don't have too many runners because I kept them down knowing Basil wouldn't be here. But there are a couple of them with good chances and I am delighted to have Mick riding them.' Former multiple champion trainer John Moore is also securing Kinane's services for several rides at the Valley meeting. Kinane, who is hopeful about Luso's chances of making it three on the trot in the Vase, said from Tokyo last night: 'On the face of it, it is asking a lot of the horse flying out to Japan and taking in both races. But he has had a fairly light campaign in Europe by his standards and Clive Brittain [the trainer] is confident he's ready for them both.' This year's Bowl is the hottest in its history. Toledo and Bezeal Bay, the Australian challengers, have both trialled impressively in the past two days, while Macau-born Kenny Man's Northern Drake, the Cup candidate, will work in public between races at Randwick tomorrow. Oh Nellie is a quality challenger from America and she ran an impressive second to Sleepytime in last year's 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Since moving to America, she has won a Listed Race and the Group Three Noble Damsel handicap at Belmont Park. Kinane was confirmed on Oh Nellie when the four-year-old made the lineup after an earlier defection but has only just been confirmed for Artan. Meanwhile, English rider Michael Hills has his first taste of Happy Valley this morning when he will ride in three of the six barrier trials at the city track. Hills, who landed the International Cup on Group One winner First Island two years ago, is licensed for three months and begins his stint at the Valley next Wednesday night.
