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Luke Ferraris marked his first appearance at Ascot with a breakthrough victory, guiding Dancing In Paris to success in the Shergar Cup Stayers Handicap as Team Hong Kong made a strong challenge for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup before Great Britain & Ireland secured the overall honours.<\/p>\n
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The 24-year-old South African-born jockey produced a patient ride on the Ian Williams-trained Dancing In Paris, saving ground before peeling the gelding into clear running over the final 200m. The move proved decisive as Dancing In Paris found another gear to defeat Shrimp Shady and Ryan Moore by a length in 3m 29.38s.<\/p>\n
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The victory earned Ferraris the Shergar Cup\u2019s Ride of the Day and gave Team Hong Kong its second win of the afternoon, following Jerry Chau\u2019s success aboard Tuco Salamanca in the Shergar Cup Dash Handicap over 1000m.<\/p>\n
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Ferraris had plenty of support at Ascot, with family and friends present for what was an important occasion in his career. He said the experience lived up to his expectations, particularly the significance of riding through the famous archway before the race.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt definitely lived up to expectations, walking through the archway when it\u2019s for you is very special,\u201d Ferraris said.<\/p>\n
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His ride was not without a moment of concern. Dancing In Paris had to negotiate the final bend before Ferraris found the space he needed, but the gelding responded strongly when asked for his effort.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI was a bit worried it was going to catch him out that last bend, but he got a great tow up the hill,\u201d Ferraris said.<\/p>\n
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That tactical positioning proved important. Once inside the final 200m, Ferraris knew his mount still had sufficient acceleration to finish the job.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWhen he got inside the final furlong (200m), he still had gears,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\nChau strikes before Ferraris
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Team Hong Kong had already made the ideal start when Jerry Chau produced a landmark victory on Tuco Salamanca in the opening Shergar Cup Dash Handicap.<\/p>\n
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Chau, 26, settled the Ollie Sangster-trained four-year-old behind the pace before releasing him late. Tuco Salamanca powered past the 19\/1 outsider Gold Star Hero, ridden by Team Hong Kong captain Vincent Ho, to win by one and a half lengths in 58.61s.<\/p>\n
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Chau was pleased with the way his mount relaxed before the start and followed the instructions given to him.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAfter the 400 (metre mark) I knew he could win \u2013 he gave me a very good finish,\u201d Chau said.<\/p>\n
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The win also gave Chau his first opportunity to experience Ascot competitively. He pointed to the track\u2019s uphill and downhill sections as a major difference from racing in Hong Kong and welcomed the chance to compete alongside leading international riders.<\/p>\n
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The two victories gave Team Hong Kong 30 points from the opening two races, putting the side at the head of the standings.<\/p>\n
\nMoore turns the competition
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Team Great Britain & Ireland gradually regained control, led by the return of Ryan Moore to the Shergar Cup for the first time since 2006.<\/p>\n
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The four-time LONGINES World\u2019s Best Jockey winner delivered two victories during the six-race programme. He first partnered Asgard\u2019s Captain to success in the Shergar Cup Challenge Handicap over 2392m for trainer Dylan Cunha before completing his double aboard Archers Bay for Marco Botti in the Shergar Cup Classic Handicap, also over 2392m.<\/p>\n
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Saffie Osborne, captain of Team Great Britain & Ireland, added another victory aboard Red Spells Danger for trainer Tim Easterby in the Shergar Cup Sprint Handicap over 1200m. Chau finished second aboard the beaten favourite Thunder Call, rallying gamely to take the runner-up position.<\/p>\n
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With one race remaining, Great Britain & Ireland led Team Hong Kong 71-62.<\/p>\n
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Team Europe then drew level with Hong Kong when Frida Valle Skar partnered Jane Chapple-Hyam\u2019s Crown Board to victory in the Shergar Cup Mile over 1594m. Team Europe filled the first two places in the race and finished level with Hong Kong on 62 points, but was placed third overall on countback because Team Hong Kong had recorded two victories.<\/p>\n
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Moore sealed the overall result with a third-place finish aboard Ozat in the final race, taking Great Britain & Ireland to 81 points. Team Hong Kong finished second on 62, Team Europe third on 62 and the Rest of the World fourth on 39.<\/p>\n
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Moore also collected the Silver Saddle after accumulating the most points for his team.<\/p>\n
\nHo proud of Hong Kong effort
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Although Team Hong Kong missed out on the overall prize, captain Vincent Ho was pleased with the collective performance. The team produced two wins and several placings during the afternoon, while Ho also finished second aboard Red Spells Danger.<\/p>\n
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Ho praised both Ascot and the quality of the international field, particularly the standard of riding throughout the competition.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAscot is a great racetrack to race on, and the atmosphere is always great. Also, with all of the top jockeys in the world everyone raced super clean and tidy,\u201d Ho said.<\/p>\n
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Ho will now travel to France for racing at Deauville on Sunday, 9 August, where he is scheduled to partner Group 2 winner Ponntos in the Listed Prix du Cercle over 1000m.<\/p>\n
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For Ferraris, though, the Shergar Cup will be remembered for a first ride at Ascot that produced a first victory. With Dancing In Paris responding when it mattered, the young rider made his opportunity count on one of international racing\u2019s most distinctive stages.<\/p>\n
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