Yuichi Fukunaga wins the 2014 HKJC International Jockey Challenge
Yuichi Fukunaga, the rider who partnered Just A Way to his stunning success in the Dubai Duty Free on Dubai World Cup night in March, underlined he belongs at the top level when winning the Hong Kong Jockey Club international jockey challenge at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 10 December 2014.
A total of 12 riders contested the challenge including, Joao Moreira , Zac Purton, Vincent Ho, James McDonald, Richard Hughes, Kerrin McEvoy, Yuichi Fukunaga, S’manga Khumalo, Ryan Moore, Pat Smullen, Christophe Soumillon and Irad Ortiz Jr.
The challenge was held over races 4 (1650m), 5 (1000m), 7 (1650m) and 8 (1650m at the Happy Valley track. Points were awarded to the first three past the post with a win earning 12 points, second place worth 6 points and 4 points being scored for finishing third.
James McDonald prevailed aboard Expectator for the Peter Ho Leung stable in the opener, with Joao Moreira second on Golden Scalpel and Zac Purton third aboard Win It.
Race 5 was the second challenge race on the card and provided the first of two wins for the evening for Yuichi Fukunaga aboard Ocean Roar for the Almond Lee stable. Vincent Ho finished second aboard Excel Oneself and Joao Moreira was third with Family Interests.
Fukunaga makes it a double aboard Vara Pearl for the Tony Millard stable
There was a quick break before the challenge continued in race 7, where Fukunaga notched his second win on the card on Vara Pearl for a delighted Tony Millard, who commented “No wonder he’s a top jockey – he’s a quick learner. He held the box-seat position on Vara Pearl and I was very confident he would come off the leader’s back and win. I love Japan!” Joao Moreira was second aboard Elegance Klammer and Vincent Ho finished third on Genuine Champion.
Ryan Moore took the laurels in the final challenge of the evening, riding Amazingly for the David Ferraris stable, with James McDonald second aboard Sempiternal and Joao Moreira third on Griffindor.
The final tally saw Yuichi Fukunaga a clear winner with 24 points. Fukunaga, who was also seen out at the Shergar Cup at Ascot in August commented, “I’m glad to win a challenge like this against the best riders in the world. I’m the first Japanese jockey to win this outright, so I’m very happy and honoured to have done so. Both my winning rides were similar in that I was able to get a good position early. Happy Valley is a tricky course to ride and the important thing is to start well. I had a lot of Japanese fans here to encourage me and some local support also speaking in Japanese.”
Fukunaga took home the silver whip as well as HK$500,000 for his efforts. He will be on board Fiero in Sunday’s Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin and added: “I think he has a good chance provided he gets a decent draw”
Smanga Khumalo with Ryan Moore, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and Richard Hughes
‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira notched 20 points to finish second, James McDonald was third on 18 points and Ryan Moore, considered by many the world’s finest Flat rider, finished fourth.
Local hero S’manga Khumalo acquitted himself well, finishing 7th on Jade Pippo, 8th aboard Flashing Guy, 9th on Five Step and 9th again on Divine Diya.
