Jimmy Choux in final track work before the Hong Kong Cup

While Australia’s may be hoping Jimmy Choux($5) wins today’s Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin for Australasia, truth is there no Aussie in the Kiwi –  horse, jockey, trainer or owners.

Trainers John Size (Flying Blue ($21)  and Sichuan Success ($8.50),  John Moore (Xensions ($4.50) , Able One ($12) and Destined For Glory) ($11) and jockeys Tim Clark (aboard Destined For Glory), Darren Beadman (Xtension) and Brett Prebble (Outdoor Pegasus ($151) are all Australians trying to win the mile.

Cheering for Jimmy Choux is like cheering for cricketer Jessie Ryder making a century or Chris Martin one run.

Xtension ($4.50) and Jimmy Choux ($5) are at the top of the betting – it signifies the race is open with many chances.

John Size has been in Hong Kong since 2001 and has won six trainers’ premiership in that time.

Flying Blue is a $21 chance while Sichuan Success is expected to be hard to beat at $8.50.

“Flying Blue has a tremendously consistent record in he has been prepared for this race,” Size said.

”He showed improved form – I expect him to make further improvement.

“Sichuan Success is in good order.

“He missed the last mile race but I’m not concerned.

“He’s a good horse.

“I’ve been able to freshen him up and he trialled very nicely last Friday but drawing 13 wasn’t part of the plan.”

Beadman, the main rider for Moore, says to look for Xtensions at the serious end of the race.

”He’s gone from being a teenager to a young man this preparation,” Beadman said.

”He’s thickened up well and matured.

“He doesn’t have the tactical speed to be right there early but he’ll be comfortable midfield and can finish off.”

Jimmy Choux travelled badly to Hong Kong and didn’t eat in the initial stages but has bounced back.

Trainer John Bary has been very pleased with his trackwork and the barrier draw.

“Don’t worry about us, all good,” Bary said.

“I think he’s started to settle in a whole lot better.

“His coat’s great and he’s feeling good.”

The value runner may be the Japanese horse Apapane at $16.

Horses from that country invariably perform well in Hong Kong.

Eishin Preston won the Mile in 2011 and Hat-Trick in 2005 for Japan.

Trainer Sakae Kunieda is happy with Apapane

“She is in really good form,” he said

“I will let the rider ride her as he thinks it fits.

“She eats up very well.

“Her weight was 497 kg yesterday, which was less than when she arrived here, but it is a good sign physically.

“She worked on turf for the first time here and I think she fits the surface.

“I think I will go into the race with a lot of confidence.”

2011 HONG KONG MILE (1600m) Sha Tin – 5pm Aust EST

• No.     Horse                           Wt.     Jockey     Draw     Trainer      Age/Sex
• 1     CITYSCAPE                    126     S Drowne     12     R Charlton   5 h
• 2     JIMMY CHOUX            126       J Riddell     2     J Bary              4 c
• 3     RAJSAMAN                   126     T Jarnet     4     F Head                4 c
• 4    BEAUTY FLASH              126     G Mosse     10     A S Cruz           6 g
• 5     XTENSION                      126     D Beadman     5     J Moore       4 c
• 6     ABLE ONE                       126     J Lloyd     7     J Moore               9 g
• 7     FLYING BLUE                126     O Doleuze     6     J Size               5 g
• 8     DESTINED FOR GLORY126     T Clark     1     J Moore              4 g
• 9     OUTDOOR PEGASUS     126     J Murtagh     3     P F Yiu          4 g
• 10     SICHUAN SUCCESS   126     D Whyte     13     J Size                5 g
• 11     FAT CHOY OOHLALA126     M Guyon     11     C H Yip          4  g
• 12     DUBAWI GOLD             125     R Hughes     14     R Hannon    3 c
• 13     SAHPRESA                     122     C Lemaire     8     Rod Collet    6 m
• 14     APAPANE                       22     M Ebina     9     S Kunieda           4 f