EUROPEAN jockeys dominated the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley tonight with a clean-sweep of victories in the three-leg competition.
Top French rider Christophe Lemaire, John Murtagh and Ryan Moore, the Irish and British champions respectively, scored one victory each to share the HK$300,000 prizemoney equally.
Lemaire, who has had a rollercoaster ride recently, comfortably won the opening leg on Bobo Win by a length and three quarters. Lemaire was injured in early October so had to sit out the Arc weekend in Paris, but came back to land the Japan Cup in Tokyo two weeks ago on the great mare Vodka.
The Japanese stewards banned him for four days for careless riding in Tokyo last weekend, which meant he has to miss out on several good rides in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International races at Sha Tin this Sunday.
Murtagh showed his huge talent to have top favourite Master Dreamer in a perfect position throughout, and came with a well-timed run to take it up inside the final 200 metres to win going away by a length and a half. Ryan Moore had to show all his strength to snatch victory in the final stride to take the last leg on Mings' Hero and nose out another European, the German star Andreas Suborics.
Lemaire said: "Winning here is much appreciated after my misfortunes of last weekend in Japan. There is a special atmosphere at Happy Valley and I really enjoy riding here. It was a great thrill to share it with Johnny and Ryan."
Murtagh added, "This three-way tie is a great result! I tried my utmost to get a place in the last but just couldn't. The handicapper has done a very good job, and made this event very competitive."
Moore, who was landing his first victory at Happy Valley, said: "It was nice to win here. Happy Valley hasn't been lucky for me in the past but I was riding lucky number 8! I am only sorry that I couldn't have laid up closer on my mounts in the first two legs."
Australian Hugh Bowman finished 7th and local hero Douglas Whyte last. Neither drew good chances.
HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MEDIA RELEASE & PHOTOGRAPH
