Glory for Japan as Fukunaga Lands IJC

Japanese rider Yuichi Fukunaga, who earlier this year rode Just a Way (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) to a barnstorming victory in the G1 Dubai Duty Free S. at Meydan, landed the middle two legs of Wednesday’s Longines International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley Racecourse and outpointed local star Joao Moreira by a count of 24-20 to take home the first-prize check of HK$500,000 (US$64,500). 

New Zealand jockey James McDonald got the competition off on a winning note with a victory aboard 3-1 second choice Expectator (Aus) (Oratorio {Ire}), who sat handy to the pace set by Jade Pippo (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), the mount of South African champion S’Manga Khumalo and outfinished the Moreira-ridden favorite Golden Scalpel (Arch) by 3/4 of a length. 

Fukunaga, an even sixth in the first leg, had the call for trainer Almond Lee aboard 10-1 chance Ocean Roar (NZ) (Towkay {Aus}) in the second round of the series going the quirky 1000-meter trip at the Valley. Christophe Soumillon had the mount on 9-5 choice Jolly Posh (NZ) (Stravinsky), but when the favorite missed the break, Fukunaga took full advantage, sending Ocean Roar to the lead before finding the wire a half-length to the good of Excel Oneself (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), the mount of leading local jockey Vincent Ho. Moreira finished third from the widest draw atop Family Interests (NZ) (Sakhee’s Secret {GB}). 

With 12 points in the bag for the win in race five, Fukunaga landed on the 24-10 favorite Vara Pearl (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) in the third race of the competition, and the 4-year-old, trained by Tony Millard, came from a handy spot and narrowly defeated Elegance Klammer (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), while Ho picked up a few more points on Genuine Champion (NZ) (Postponed) in third. 

Entering the final leg, Fukunaga was the clear leader on 24 points, but courtesy of his first-race score, McDonald remained in contention, as did Moreira with his trio of placings. Fukunaga partnered with the 6-1 gamble Wah May Baby (Ire)(Amadeus Wolf {GB}) and put the 3-year-old in a perfect spot just behind the speed, while McDonald led through the middle stages astride Sempiternal (NZ) (Postponed) and Moreira had favored Griffindor (Ire) (Kheleyf) in about midpack. Fukunaga was out of gas turning for home, and McDonald found himself 200 meters from the championship, only to be run down by 14-1 shot Amazingly (Ire) (Shamardal) and Longines ‘World’s Best Jockey’ Ryan Moore in the waning strides. Moreira and Griffindor plugged on into third, leaving Fukunaga the overall winner. 

American jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was not dealt the most-gifted set of rides in the competition and did not earn any points. His best effort was a seventh aboard 140-1 longshot Novel Start (NZ) (Ishiguru) in the third leg of the challenge. 

Fukunaga will look to continue the positive momentum when he rides G1 Mile Championship runner-up Fiero (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in Sunday’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile.