HK DEC 08 - MOORE IS THE STAR OF THE SHOW

By Hong Kong Jockey Club | Thursday, December 9, 2010

Ryan Moore, who shared last year's Cathay Pacific International Jockeys' Championship in a three-way tie, was crowned champion on his own with 24 points this year with two thrilling wins in the four-race competition on Wednesday night.

Moore, a three-time champion in Britain and fresh from winning the World Super Jockeys Series in Japan last month, was seen at his brilliant best on both his winners.

He got off to a dream start when producing the Tony Millard-trained Something Special with a storming run under a power-packed ride on the outside of the field, running down the Olivier Peslier-ridden Jolly Wongchoy by three-quarters of a length.

Moore had to wait until the final leg to clinch the title on the well named Fearless.

Drawn in what looked a tough position in 12, the pair came wide and late on the outsider Fearless to collar the Douglas Whyte-ridden Ho Wongchoy. In the process Moore snatched the title away from Whyte, who was second on 18 points.

A delighted Moore said: "It is really nice to win this event, on my very own this time. Especially good as I didn't think I held much chance coming into it.

"I was delighted to find the trainer (Tony Millard) was confident when it came to the first race, and the horse won well."

"This is a nice warm up for the big races at Sha Tin on Sunday (CXHKIR), which is the last big meeting of the season for me.

"I have some excellent rides in all four races, on Paco Boy, Snow Fairy, Crystal Capella and Kingsgate Native, not necessarily in that order!"

Whyte, 10 times champion jockey in Hong Kong, won the third leg with an inspired ride on Alex Wong-trained My Goal.

They were quickly out of the stalls from a wide berth to hold a handy position behind the pacemaker Good Luck Win.

Whyte kicked on when reaching the straight to open up a lead that the fast-finishing second Nordic Star was unable to close.

The other leg was won by Australian star Nash Rawiller, who celebrated his 36th birthday by making all the running to take the second leg on the Me Tsui-trained Record High.

He finished third on 12 points on his first visit to Happy Valley.

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