Japanese Jockey Yoshi Aoki, who was encouraged to come to Australia by Champion hoop Damien Oliver, has ridden his first winner in Oz today at Bendigo. Aboard the Steve Richards trained Bono, Yoshi was very pleased to ride his first winner, as his interview with TVN's Simon Marshall showed.

Yoshi was granted a licence in Victoria on the 28th of May this year and has had eighteen rides. He has placed twice with a third place and recently at Wangaratta on the sevententh of July he ran second on the same horse Bono. Damien and Yoshi became friend while Damien was riding in Japan and Yoshi was encouraged by the champion Victorian hoop to try riding down under.

The smile couldn't be wiped of Yoshi's face when he returned to the winners stall at Bendigo today with the excitment clear for all to see. To watch the concluding stages of the race and his excitment and interview with Simon click on the video link on the right hand side.