Derek Leung will attempt to successfully employ the advice of champion jockeys Ryan Moore and Zac Purton when Victor The Winner tackles the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Chukyo Racecourse on Sunday (24 March).

Leung, 35, rides in a Japanese race for the first time as Danny Shum’s charge jumps from barrier 10 in a field of 18 as he attempts to become Hong Kong’s second winner of the premier speed contest.

Leung, who was aboard Victor The Winner when the gelding claimed the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on 28 January, is aware of the unique characteristics of the left-handed Chukyo layout.

“There’s the stiff uphill finish, a bit like Happy Valley, so I’ll have to save a little bit to use it on the uphill,” Leung said. “I asked quite a few jockeys who have ridden here and they said to be careful of it. Many horses can chase home on that uphill, so it’s a more important last 100m.

“I spoke with Ryan Moore and he gave me some advice. He spoke about the racing here, the track condition and he just said ‘Believe in the horse’.

“Every racetrack is different, but most importantly it’s about finding a rhythm and keeping him balanced. We’ll see what happens.”

Leung said Victor The Winner had coped well with the travel and a preparatory gallop on Tuesday morning (19 March).

“He’s a brave horse and he pulled up well. I’m happy,” Leung said. “He didn’t shy away from anything and he wasn’t scared. He just wanted to explore, which is very good. He’s ready.”

Purton, who partnered Paul O’Sullivan-trained Aerovelocity to victory in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in 2015, said Leung and Victor The Winner face a string of unfamiliar challenges at Chukyo.

“The track has a different profile, different surface, it’s undulating and it goes left-handed,” Purton said. “So, there are a lot of things there for the horses to adapt to and it sounds like it’s going to rain so he’s going to have to deal with a softer track but he won on a soft track first-up this season here in Hong Kong.

“So, he should be able to get through it okay. You’ve got all that to deal with and the race speed in Japan is a bit different – they tend not to jump as fast and then their mid-race pressure is a little bit higher. You have to take a lot in.”

Victor The Winner will face five Japanese sprinters who are entered for the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on 28 April – Champagne Color (barrier nine), Lugal (six), Mad Cool (two), Matenro Orion (17) and Toshin Macau (five).

The Takamatsunomiya Kinen will be simulcast live for betting at 2.40pm (HKT) on Sunday (24 March).