South African Gavin Lerena took the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship with a double at a rain-swept Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Serena left it late, winning the last two races of the four race series to score 24 points ahead of Ryan Moore on 15 with Keita Tosaki from Japan on 13.
“I love Hong Kong,” Lerena said following his win in the eighth race aboard Superoi.
“Derek Cruz (Trainer) gave me a lot of confidence and told me we had the best horse in the race.”
A record-breaking apprentice, the 28 year-old Lerena said he would welcome the opportunity to pit himself against the best in Hong Kong Kong on a regular basis.
“I would certainly consider coming to ride here, this is the best place to be, and the atmosphere tonight was electric,” Lerena said.
“It’s great to be riding against such great riders. We have a lot of respect for each other and I am very happy to have won this tonight.”
Zac Purton took the third race on the Caspar Fownes-trained Accepted while Joao Moreira rode a double on the night with a tumble after the finish line in race three.