Facebook friend request leads to fairytale shot at Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes for Japanese-born pair Daiki Chujo and Nori Masuda

A trainer and jockey who linked up on Facebook are looking to create one of the biggest Group 1 boilovers in Australian racing history.

Daiki Chujo's filly True Fairy, ridden by his great mate Noriyuki Masuda, is looking to become a Group 1 giant killer in Sydney. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

A Facebook friend request and a bargain basement $4250 filly are the remarkable backstory of a fairytale shot at the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Japanese-born duo of Ballina trainer Daiki Chujo and jockey Nori Masuda will take on some of racing’s biggest names when 58-rater True Fairy lines up as a $251 shot against stars like Orchestral and Zardozi.

Chujo made the move to Australia as a 16-year-old in search of a career in racing and ended up competing internationally as an equestrian rider before returning to racing to work for top trainer Kris Lees in Newcastle.

• ‘Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni will get rolled in Australian Cup’

Chujo kicked off his training career in Murwillumbah which is where he met Masuda – with the pair now both having their first Group 1 opportunity on Saturday.

“Nori and I came together because of the modern world,” Chujo said.

“When I moved to Murwillumbah when I first got my trainer’s license and I looked up the names of the jockeys and I saw a Japanese jockey.

“I just sent him a friend request on Facebook.

“We trust each other and I don’t want any other jockey than Nori on for this big race.

“We had a horse in the Little Dance a couple of years ago, Nori went to Randwick for us which was good for him as Frankie Dettori was riding on the day.”

Noriyuki Masuda (left) will ride against the big names in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes in Sydney. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

True Fairy was purchased for Chujo’s Japanese clients for just $4250 in the Inglis Online Sale in 2022.

The three-year-old daughter of Real Steel has won two from five career starts, including a strong last start win when coming from last over 1700m at Grafton.

• Has the All-Star Mile run its race?

Chujo simply hopes True Fairy can race well on Saturday and set herself up for a shot at the Group 1 Australian Oaks a fortnight later – on the same day that Japanese sensation Obamburumai, the 2023 Golden Eagle winner, will race in the Doncaster Mile.

Given the tight-knit nature of the Japanese racing community in Australia, Chujo was part of the Obamburumai entourage last year.

Ballina trainer Daiki Chujo connected with Noriyuki Masuda via Facebook.

“A win would be nice on Saturday, but the filly just has to do her best,” he said.

“My background is as an equestrian rider and I used to compete internationally in Europe, in the top level in the world, which I really enjoyed.

“So then when I became a racehorse trainer, my dream and goal was always to be in Group 1s.

• EXCLUSIVE: Golden Slipper winner's quest to fly to outer space

“This filly came along, she was only a cheap filly from the Inglis online sale.

“I have a lot of support from Japanese owners who support my ambition and they also want to be up there racing in the big smoke.

“The filly is going really well and she has proven to be a stayer so I thought why not, we will give it a go.”

Longer-term, Chujo is hoping True Fairy can progress towards getting a crack at the Group 1 Queensland Oaks during the winter carnival.