Horse for the course T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) appears a very tough nut to crack in Sunday's G1 Champions Cup (ex Japan Cup Dirt) at Chukyo Racecourse, a race in which he bolted up by a half-dozen lengths over the classy Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) twelve months ago.
The 5-year-old earned a berth in the 2022 G1 Saudi Cup with his victory here last year, but he was disappointing in eighth behind Emblem Road (Quality Road) in Riyadh back in February. He regrouped and validated odds-on favouritism in this track's G3 Heian S. in May and was fourth in the Listed Teio Sho June 29 before bouncing back to defeat this year's G2 UAE Derby hero Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) in the valuable Listed JBC Classic over the metric mile and a quarter at Morioka Nov. 3.
“He ran a strong race last year, so I'd like things to be the same this time too,” said jockey Kohei Matsuyama. “His experience overseas has helped him mature more. He took a bit of time to recover from his last race, but just recently in training he's done things in his usual way and has responded well.”
Thirteenth in the GI Kentucky Derby following his Meydan success, Crown Pride was given plenty of time to recover from his travels and resumed with a narrow loss in the Listed Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Sept. 28. He made the running in the JBC Classic and held well, but was no match for the classy T O Keynes late and will try to even the score while backing up to 1800 metres Sunday.
Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn}) made a successful switch from dirt to turf to win last weekend's G1 Japan Cup and Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) looks an entirely different proposition since moving from the grass to the dirt. A four-time winner and stakes-placed from 21 turf starts, the bay was runner-up in listed company in his main-track bow in July and has since won the Listed BSN Sho in July and the G3 Sirius S. over course and distance Oct. 1, defeating the 3-year-old Hapi (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and Auvergne (Jpn) (Smart Falcon {Jpn}).
WATCH: #13 T O Keynes reels in #4 Crown Pride in the JBC Classic
The first of four legs of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, the $220,717 Cattleya S. (allowance), was staged Saturday afternoon over Tokyo's one-turn mile and for the second year in a row, a son of successful young stallion and former U.S. Eclipse Award winner Drefong drew first blood in the series.
Drawn one from the outside in afield of 10, Continuar (Jpn) broke alertly, but was ultimately beaten for speed and settled in the second flight of horses while racing three off the inside and with cover down the back straight. Waited with on the turn, the 29-10 second choice was produced wide into the stretch by the visiting Damian Lane, was asked to quicken inside the final furlong and kicked on nicely to best third favorite Mirror of Mind (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) by a half-length (see below). Last year's Cattleya S. was won by Consigliere (Jpn), who went on to be third to Pinehurst (Twirling Candy) in the G3 Saudi Derby.
Purchased for ¥70 million ($635,432) at last year's JRHA Select Sales, Continuar overcame a double-digit draw to land his Oct. 8 debut over nine furlongs at Hanshin Oct. 8 and nearly made it two straight, missing narrowly in his first start against winners back at Hanshin 20 days ago. He is trained by Yoshito Yahagi, who conditioned Loves Only You (Jpn) and Marche Lorraine (Jpn) to famous wins at the Breeders' Cup in 2021.
“I think I want to take him to Saudi, then Dubai and then maybe Kentucky,” Yahagi said.
Continuar is out of a daughte rof MSW & G1SP Fusaichi Pandora (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), best known as the dam of two-time Japanese Horse of the Year and dual G1 Japan Cup heroine Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). This is also the female family of champion El Gran Senor.
Continuar was awarded 10 points for his victory, while Mirror of Mind earned 4 points. The next race in the series is the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Dec. 14.
In the first 11 runnings of the G1 Longines Japan Cup, foreign raiders were successful no fewer than nine times, with winners from America, Australia, France, Ireland and New Zealand. But not since Alkaased (Kingmambo) defeated Heart's Cry (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) in 2005 for Frankie Dettori and Luca Cumani has any overseas-based galloper managed to land a winning blow. The locals will be favoured to take that current streak to 17 when a full field loads the gate at Tokyo Sunday afternoon, but Europe has strength in numbers–and class–to make things at least a little bit interesting.
Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), winner of the 2021 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) over Sunday's course and 2400-metre trip, completed a 1-3 finish for his late sire behind fellow Derby winner Contrail (Jpn) last year and will have his fair share of backers. Winner of this year's G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic without the benefit of a tightener, the Sunday Racing runner failed to handle the challenges that Ascot brings when fourth of five in the G1 Prince of Wales's S. in June. The dark bay prepped for this with a fifth in the Oct. 30 G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), in which G1 Dubai Turf dead-heater Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) led by double digits into the final 600 metres, only to be run down by the G1 Arima Kinen-bound Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}). Shahryar ran home in :33.6 that day and should strip fitter over a more suitable distance Sunday.
“He's come out of the race very well so we were able to have him back in training right away,” said assistant trainer Nobuyuki Tashiro. “His fast work was last week on Nov. 17 on the grass track. His weight hasn't changed much but, having raced, he's sharpened him up. He's leaner, with good muscle tone, and everything is going smoothly.”
Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) is the lone Japanese-bred three-year-old in the field and–with just five starts under his belt–is one of the least experienced. He makes up for that with abundant talent, as he bested future G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) hero Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong) in Group 3 company in February before finishing fourth in the Guineas and in the Derby. He closed off even more sharply than Shahryar in the Tenno Sho (:32.8) and he, too, can improve second-up.
Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn}) is very much the 'now' horse and a different proposition altogether since switching to the turf this year. A two-time winner from 16 tries on the dirt, he is three-for-five on the grass, including a fast-finishing defeat of Boccherini (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in the 2400-metre G2 Kyoto Daishoten at Hanshin Oct. 10. The visiting Ryan Moore hops aboard.
Weltreisende (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) accounted for recent G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup heroine Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in Group 2 company in June, but disappointed when sixth behind that rival in the G2 All Comers S. Sept. 25. Damian Lane, in the irons for the five-year-old's last win, has the call.
Can Team Europe Turn The Tide?
As he has been in almost every racing jurisdiction, Frankel (GB) has proved an unqualified success in Japan, with 33 winners including dual-surface Group 1 winner Mozu Ascot, two-time champion Soul Stirring (Jpn) and top-level scorer Grenadier Guards (Jpn). A Japan Cup victory from Onesto (Ire) could somehow manage to elevate the stallion's profile further still.
The chestnut announced his arrival really and truly with a last-to-first tally over Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz) in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris on Bastille Day and was exceptionally brave when just beaten by Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in the G1 Irish Champion S. Sept. 10. The chestnut clearly hated the boggy underfoot conditions at ParisLongchamp in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Oct. 2 and his 10th-place effort to Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was achieved on heart alone. Christophe Lemaire takes the unusual decision to side with the foreigner over a local ride.
“The trip to Japan went very smoothly–it was a 24-hour trip from our stables at Chantilly to the quarantine stables here at Tokyo Racecourse,” trainer Fabrice Chappet said. “The staff is happy with the wonderful facility and the climate is great for the horse too.”
Simca Mille did his part to frank the Grand Prix de Paris form when finishing well to land the G2 Prix Niel on Arc Trials day Sept. 11, but swerved the Arc itself in favour of this spot. Gregory Benoist retains the ride.
Grand Glory (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) covered herself in glory when staying on into fifth in last year's race and added this year's G3 Prix Allex France. She ran on from the tail to be a highly creditable fifth in the Arc and was recently snapped up by Shadai as a future member of their powerful broodmare band.
Tunnes (Ger) (Guilani {Ger}) is the ultimate wildcard in Sunday's test. Beaten just once in six career starts, the half-brother to Arc winner Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) streaked home to win the G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern by 10 lengths Nov. 6. Most of his German form is over easy ground and he will have to cope with a much quicker surface this weekend. Lando (Ger) won the 1995 Japan Cup for Germany.
Invitations for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races were made public prior to the start of the Happy Valley meeting Wednesday, with a total of 24 overseas horses–five more than last year–from Australia, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan and Singapore among the invitees.
In the history of the HKIR, only one horse–Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan)–has managed to score three victories at the meeting. More history could be made this year when two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and Japan's Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) shoot for their third victories in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile and G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, respectively.
Golden Sixty should be a warm favourite to complete the feat, having defeated California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the G2 Jockey Club Mile on his seasonal debut Nov. 20. Japan, which is set to be represented by 14 runners across the races, has won the Mile on four occasions and fields a team of three, led by last year's third Salios (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Group 1 winner Schnell Meister (GB) (Kingman {GB}). The current connections of dual Group 1 winner Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) have also accepted, but her participation hinges on the results of the upcoming Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions, for which she holds an entry.
HK$30 million G1 @LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) selected runners:
Golden Sixty California Spangle Salios Schnell Meister Waikuku Beauty Joy
Glory Vase could face as many as 10 while looking to add to his wins here in 2019 and again last year, but he is not the highest-rated in the event. Broome (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), one of three invitees from Aidan O'Brien, is two pounds clear of Glory Vase and Germany's G1 Grosser Preis von Baden hero Mendocino (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) on 118. Ballydoyle could also send out Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and recent GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Joao Moreira has already picked up two HKIR rides for Japan and could climb back aboard Glory Vase in what could be his final rides at Sha Tin, after officially forfeiting his licence Wednesday.
HK$22 million G1 @LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) selected runners:
Broome Bubble Gift Glory Vase Mendocino Botanik Senor Toba Panfield Butterfield Bolshoi Ballet Win Marilyn Stone Age
Hong Kong's champion sprinter Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) tops a full field of 14 in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, but his participation is in some doubt after pulling up lame behind Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) in last weekend's G2 Jockey Club Sprint. One of Moreira's rides comes aboard Resistencia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), runner-up in last year's tragedy-marred Sprint, while G1 Sprinters' S. hero Gendarme (Kitten's Joy) also jets in. Lim's Kosciuszko (Aus) (Kermadec {NZ}) is Singapore's second highest-rated galloper and earns a spot in the field over three locally based runners.
HK$24 million G1 @LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) selected runners:
Wellington Sky Field Gendarme Lucky Patch Lucky Sweynesse Super Wealthy Naran Huleg Stronger
The G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup looms the race of the day, as the once-beaten Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) takes on a classy bunch over the 2000 metres. Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) dead-heated with Lord North (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in this year's G1 Dubai Turf and most recently set a searching gallop in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) before yielding late. Prior to that effort, the 5-year-old was reeled in by Jack d'Or (Jpn)–a son of 2016 Cup winner Maurice (Jpn)–in the G2 Sapporo Kinen. Japan is also represented by Classic winner Geoglyph (Drefong) and Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), sixth here last year and also a confirmed Moreira ride. Order Of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}), best known for his 73-1 upset in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, lands here where he will try a grassy 10 furlongs for just the third time in his 23-race career. The 5-year-old was fourth in the 2020 G1 Irish Derby going 2400 metres.
HK$34 million G1 @LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) selected runners:
Panthalassa Romantic Warrior Jack d'Or Order Of Australia Russian Emperor Danon The Kid
Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “Once more, we are delighted that the quality of selected runners for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence and this is highlighted with strong groups from Japan and Europe headed for Hong Kong to compete against Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and more.”
Worth a combined HK$110 million (£11.7m/€13.6m), the Longines Hong Kong International Races will take place in front of an expected crowd of better than 30,000 fans Sunday, Dec. 11 at Sha Tin Racecourse.
Golden Sixty
Salios
Broome
Bubble Gift
Mendocino
