Rachel King snares second Japan Group 3 with wonder ride at Chukyo

Sydney-based jockey Rachel King showed what she’s capable of with a winning start to her latest Japanese riding stint.

Rachel King was a winner on her first day back in Japan. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Group 1 jockey Rachel King got her latest Japanese riding stint off to the perfect start after producing a wonder ride to snare Group 3 success on Sakura Toujours at Chukyo on Sunday evening.

The Sydney-based hoop returned to Japan in the New Year to begin a two-month tour of duty in the highly-competitive Asian racing jurisdiction.

King had six rides on her first day back and wasted no time making a splash with minor placings in her first two rides of the afternoon.

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Her breakthrough arrived on the biggest race on the card after executing a 10 out of 10 steer to help the Noriyuki Hori-trained Sakura Toujours salute in the Group 3 Kyoto Kimpai (1600m).

King was on the fence as the field turned for home with a wall of horses in front of her and expertly wove a passage through the ruck to score on the eight-year-old mare, who started at the juicy odds of $17.

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“It was a very good win from the horse,” King told the Japanese press.

“I was pleased to team up with him again and get another Group race.

“It was very similar to how I rode him last year. We ended up getting a beautiful run and the horse relaxed nicely for me and was strong at the end.”

G3 1600m Kyoto Kimpai at Chukyo:

Won by 8g 7. SAKURA TOUJOURS (Neo Universe) under an absolute peach from Rachel King 🇬🇧🇦🇺 for boss Noriyuki Hori

SAKURA TOUJOURS now won 2x G3s, both times with King 🇬🇧🇦🇺 in the saddle.#HeroIsComing#JRA
🍑pic.twitter.com/YdW1XrA6r6

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) January 5, 2025

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King combined with Sakura Toujours to win the Group 3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai at Tokyo during her previous visit to Japan in February last year. It was her maiden stakes winner in the country.

She rode 17 winners in Japan during her previous stint and has returned to continue her successful partnership with Hori.

The Japan Racing Association (JRA) has issued King a licence to ride in the Asian jurisdiction from January 5 to March 4.

King, currently 11th in the Sydney jockeys’ premiership, plans to return to Australia to ride on the eve of the lucrative Autumn Carnival, headlined by The Championships in April.