Four-time German champion jockey, Andrasch Starke, is looking forward to defending his Hong Kong International Jockeys' Championship on Wednesday night at Happy Valley. This week begins a three- month spell for him in Hong Kong as a Club jockey.

"This is a great place, the world looks to Hong Kong for racing," said Starke. "It is very fair here, but also very tough. If you are successful it opens doors around the world. Winning the Championship last year was the most amazing day of my life, it was a better feeling than winning two German Derbies. It was a dream last year, the crowd was fantastic and the atmosphere electric. I think you only get a chance to win something like that once in your lifetime ¡V I hope I am wrong! You have to be very lucky, all the jockeys have an equal chance. I have had a look at the form of my three rides, one looks to have a great chance and the other two are ok. In fact that was what I thought going into last years races, so maybe I will be lucky again!

"Last year's win meant a lot to me, but racing has a short memory, everyday you start again. Like football or any professional sport, you are only as good as your last win. Hong Kong is a big challenge for me, I know it is going to be tough, but if you want to be the best you have to compete with the best. I like it when it is hard, I think all professional sportsmen do. When it is hard it makes winning all the better.

"I can't believe that last year's night at Happy Valley can be repeated, it would provide me with the ideal start to my three months. All I can say is that I will be trying my hardest, and who knows?"