Fallon eyes Hong Kong win

Six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon will have three chances for success when he returns to Hong Kong for the Cathay Pacific International Races at Sha Tin.

Fallon, who made his comeback in September following an 18-month suspension for doping, piloted Ouija Board to victory in the 2005 Hong Kong Vase and is hoping to emulate that triumph in the same race on December 13 this year.

This time around Fallon will ride Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Youmzain for Mick Channon along with Luca Cumani's Presvis in the Hong Kong Cup and Ferneley for US-based trainer Ben Cecil in the Hong Kong Mile.

"Youmzain and Presvis have serious chances but don't write off Ferneley, who was second and only a length behind Ventura in the Woodbine Mile in September," said Fallon.

"Ventura has since gone on to finish second in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint and then won the Grade One Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park.

"Ferneley wasn't beaten that far in the Breeders' Cup Mile and will be much better suited to a right-handed track in Hong Kong."

Disappointed

A warm-up race for Hong Kong at Lingfield last month left Fallon disappointed as he came in second on Presvis.

"It wasn't a disaster for Presvis but I hated being beaten; it was a messy race and wasn't run to suit us," he said.

"I suppose Presvis would be my best chance as he will like the track and the ground.

"He won well at Sha Tin in the QEII Cup in April before his unlucky second in Singapore."

Fallon also admitted he was astounded to witness Sea The Stars triumph over Youmzain in the final straight at Longchamp in October when he partnered the Mick Channon-trained six-year-old to his third consecutive runner-up spot.

"I was following Sea The Stars and couldn't believe Mick (Kinane) would get a run," added Fallon.

"I would have made my effort earlier had I known and would have gone much closer."