Expat Japanese apprentice jockey Yuga Okubo enjoyed a near perfect day at Te Rapa on Saturday when riding home a treble.

The 22-year-old hoop was quietly confident heading into the Hamilton meeting with his quartet of rides, and he kicked off the day in winning fashion when guiding the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Ribkraka to victory in the Jack and June Stewart Memorial (1200m).

He then placed aboard Charmer, the horse he won his first New Zealand race on, in the John F Grylls Memorial Classic (1400m), before bouncing back to win aboard former Hong Kong runner Family Folks in the Mark Sanders Memorial (1400m).

He took a brave approach with his last ride of the day aboard Drop Of Something in the UBP Te Awamutu Cup (1600m), opting to take the shortest way home down the Te Rapa straight while the remainder of the pack sought better footing out wide, and his gamble paid off with a long neck victory over Joshua Brown.

Okubo was duly rapt with his winning haul, and first treble, bringing his New Zealand tally to five wins and career tally to nine, having recorded four previous victories in his homeland.

“I was very excited on the day to get three wins,” he said. “I had four rides and I felt like they were all good chances.

“I had ridden Drop Of Something before so I knew him. My plan was to keep his rhythm and ride him positively.”

Okubo has been in New Zealand for more than a year and is indentured to Cambridge trainer Tony Pike, who also has fellow promising apprentice jockey Sam McNab under his wing.

“I am apprenticed to Tony Pike and I am riding with Sam McNab every day, so he is a good rival,” Okubo said.

“Tony Pike is a big name (in New Zealand racing) and everyone respects him. It is a very good experience to stay here and work with him.”

Okubo is enjoying living in New Zealand and is looking forward to furthering his career here.

“I love the New Zealand people and everybody is so kind,” he said.