Fallon out of luck in jockeys' contest

Kieren Fallon did not enjoy the best of luck as crack Japanese rider Yutake Take and Belgian-born ace Christophe Soumillon tied in the International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley, Hong Kong, today.

The pair had 16 points apiece in the Cathay Pacific-sponsored competition after having a winner and a third each in the three-race series.

Local hero Eddy Lai was third on 12, with Fallon and South African Doug Whyte next on eight.

Jamie Spencer finished seventh with six points, while Michael Kinane could not get on the scoresheet.

Take made a winning start on Cherished in the opening heat to register his 100th success outside his native Japan.

However, he may have been slightly fortunate as Fallon’s mount, Flying Kenny, finished fast to go down by just half a length after encountering trouble in running at a crucial stage.

Lai took the next race, while France-based Soumillon landed the closing heat on the well-backed favourite Mystic Force, with Take conjuring a late flourish out of Mr Beautiful to claim third place and a share of the spoils.

“After I got my 100 outside of Japan I really wanted to win this championship and I’m very pleased to have dead-heated,” said Take.

“I knew I had to be at least third in the last race and I was wondering who would be the winner.

“All the jockeys are excellent and it was a hard contest, but I really enjoyed it.”

Soumillon added: “It was my second time in the championship and I came nowhere last year, but it was different this time.

“I won last week in Mauritius, so that’s two championships in a row now.”

Fallon was fancied to win the second leg but his mount, Fortune Lie, could finish only fifth from an unfavourable draw.

Afterwards he said: “I was a bit unlucky in the first leg and I think I should have won. In the second I was drawn out wide in 10 and couldn’t get in.”