Dettori pins his hopes on Tobougg

Frankie Dettori landed his second title in a week when taking the Hong Kong International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley yesterday.

Dettori, who took a similar event in Mauritius last weekend, collected 16 points with Damien Oliver, the Australian rider a point behind, and Olivier Peslier from France on 12.

The main reason for the Italian's appearance in Hong Kong is to partner Godolphin's runners in this weekend's racing at Sha Tin. "The real business begins on Sunday," Dettori said, naming Tobougg as his main hope of success.

The three-year-old will contest the closing Hong Kong Cup over 10 furlongs and will be attempting to emulate his stablemate, Fantastic Light, who took the Group One event last year.

Fantastic Light has been named Horse of the Year by the 6,500 members of the Racehorse Owners Association. Godolphin's five-year-old won four Group One races during 2001. The award was made last night at the 20th annual ROA dinner and dance.

Against a more bread-and-butter background at Hexham yesterday, 23-year-old Laura Hislop rode her first winner under Rules, partnering the 10-1 shot, Harry Hooly, to victory in the junior amateur riders' handicap hurdle.

It was a sadder day, though, for Chris Maude, who announced his retirement from riding after he finished sixth on the 5-1 favourite Guid Willie Waught in the novices' handicap chase at Leicester. The 32-year-old intends to concentrate on his jockeys' valet business.

Maude rode a total of over 300 winners over jumps in a 12-year career, his best season coming in 1996-97 when he rode 56 winners. More recently, the winners have started to dry up and he had ridden just six this season.