French jockey Olivier Peslier guided his Narita Daido to win the 1,600-metre (one mile) Golden Saddle Trophy and clinch the overall title at the World Super Jockeys series today.
Peslier, the winner of the Golden Spur Trophy Saturday, settled his third favourite in mid-pack until the last corner when he edged up behind the front runners.
Peslier trailed Koei Harvest with American Kent Desormeaux in the saddle and the two colts rallied strongly on the final stretch with Narita Daido clocking one minute 33.8 seconds to win by a neck.
Third place went to Long Temmei ridden by Lance A. O`Sullivan of New Zealand one-and-a-half-lengths further back.
'It was a tough race, but he responded well to my urging until the wire,' said Peslier. 'It gives me double pleasure as a representative from France and also as a jockey backed by the Japanese fans.
'I wanted to win the last race as well. Though this was not possible, my determination to win resulted in fourth place and so I was able to achieve this great honour,' added Peslier after winning the overall title.
The last of the four-race series, the 2,000m (1.25 mile) Golden Whip Trophy, was won by Japan`s Yutaka Take, who rode Paradise Hills to clock 2:00.6 beating Top Commander ridden by Hiroki Goto and Hakusan Devious ridden by Hong Kong`s Robert Fradd.
Peslier collected a total of 53 points from four races to win the overall title, ahead of Take with 40 points, Fradd third with 38 points and American Bailey fourth with 36 points.
