Tag: serifos

Longines HKIR 2023: All Four Favourites Can Be Taken On

Some 44 horses representing England, France, Ireland, Japan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates in addition to a typically deep group representing the home team will line up for Sunday's Longines Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin Racecourse in the New Territories, with record prizemoney of HK$118 million (£12 million/US$15.1 million) up for grabs across the four events.

There figure to be clear favourites in each of the four races, but each come with his own set of question marks.

 

  • Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) loves the Sha Tin 2000 metres–his local C & D record is nearly unassailable–but having endured a tough race when just winning the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley six weeks ago, how short a price is one willing to accept? He looks to become the first repeat winner of the Cup since California Memory in 2011/2012.

 

  • Three-time Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) goes for a third Mile in four years, but takes on a serious group of Japanese milers while returning from a 224-day absence.

 

  • Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) is the best of the local sprinters and had no luck in running last year, but he's been curiously managed this term and has been lacking a killer instinct, albeit with some excuses.

 

  • Four of the last seven runnings of the Vase have gone to Japan, and Carrot Racing's Lebensstil (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) has been the talking horse this week, but he's never faced a test as strong as this, even on the back of a victory over a ring-rusty G1 Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas) winner Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G2 St Lite Kinen last time.

 

So, let's take a contrarian approach to Sunday's meeting and build arguments for others, some well-backed in the markets and others with rougher chances:

Longines Hong Kong Cup

The progressive Japanese duo of Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–a pace-disadvantaged runner-up to Romantic Warrior in the G1 FWD QE II Cup in April and a latest third to horse of the world Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn)–and Rousham Park (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) will have their supporters, as will G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), awkward draw and all.

Gousserie Racing's Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) may be the one they're trying to beat in next year's Cup, but the G2 Prix Dollar Sept. 30 capped a four-race winning streak at home and he was scarcely disgraced when beaten under two lengths by King of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. Oct. 21, where the ground was unsuitably easy and he was perhaps asked for his effort sooner than optimal by Mickael Barzalona. It'll be quicker underfoot Sunday and, while not necessarily tipping him to win, he's an each-way chance.

Horizon Dore has a puncher's chance in the Cup | HKJC

Longines Hong Kong Mile

Golden Sixty won this race in 2020 and defended his title 12 months later, but couldn't reel in loose leader California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) last December. The latter figures to take some pressure up front from Godolphin's Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who must go forward from gate 13. A quicker-than-standard pace would certainly suit Golden Sixty, but the riverside draw in 14 is a serious concern. Double-digit barriers have been overcome before by the likes of Ambitious Dragon (NZ) and Maurice (Jpn) and less-accomplished horses like Beauty Only (Ire), so it's obviously not out of the question, and while few would be shocked if he pulled it off, we're inclined to look elsewhere.

The G1 Mile Championship has been used as a Hong Kong Mile lead-up for Hat Trick (Jpn) (2005) and Maurice (Jpn) (2015)–each of whom won the Kyoto feature before doubling up in Hong Kong. Four of the five Japanese raiders for this year's Mile prepped there–including the victorious Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) and narrowly beaten Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn})–but we are opting for Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}).

Spelled following his runner-up effort to Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in June's G1 Yasuda Kinen, he was first-up in the Mile Championship, sat a three- or four-wide trip ahead of midfield without the benefit of cover, came to win the race 200 metres out and ran out of fitness in eighth. He has an inside draw and could settle further back, then make one late dash for glory as he did when winning the Mile Championship in 2022. Here's hoping the speed is on.

Japan's Serifos races second-up in the Mile | HKJC

Longines Hong Kong Sprint

The presence of Japanese speedball Jasper Krone (Frosted), the locally based Victor the Winner (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) and Sight Success (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) and G1 Prix de l'Abbaye heroine Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) should insure that the Sprint is run at a sound tempo. Now, that fact is as likely to benefit a horse like Lucky Sweynesse as anyone else, but evens seems difficult to take on a horse that–at least to now–hasn't shown that he is materially better than last year. Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) was the chief beneficiary last year and is likely to improve in his second run of the season and second start for trainer Jamie Richards and is not without a shot at a more attractive quote.

Cristian Demuro takes the ride on Japan's Mad Cool (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who exits a runner-up effort–beaten a nose–in the G1 Sprinters S. at Nakayama, the same placing earned by Danon Smash (Jpn) before causing a 21-1 boilover in the 2020 Sprint. If that effort is not an aberration, the Sunday Racing runner has an upset chance of his own in a race lacking a true standout.

Longines Hong Kong Vase

It may well eventuate that Lebensstil backs up the hype and should he do so, I'll tip my cap to him and move along. The Vase lost a bit of its lustre when Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was not declared Thursday, but Sunday Racing will also have the regally bred Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), who would be a threat on her very best. With the early scratching of Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a victory from any of the remaining locals is highly unlikely.

Three-year-old fillies have performed well when tried in the Vase, as the pint-sized Vallee Enchantee (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) (815 pounds) beat the boys in 2003, while Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk)–all 941 pounds of her–followed suit in 2009. Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) weighed in at 978 at the time declarations were made Thursday and she will try to give both Aidan O'Brien and her majestic late sire a fourth win in the race. Impressive in winning the G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot June 22, she was disappointing in the soft when fifth in the G1 Irish Oaks the following month.

She bounced back with determined victories in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks and G1 Prix Vermeille and she might have added the 10-furlong GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf last time but for an other-worldly finish from Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). She can sit handy to what figures a modest pace and get first run on those that choose to race farther back. She'll get a nine-pound pull in the weights from the older stayers and Ryan Moore rides at 117 for the first time in quite a while.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club proudly calls the HKIR the 'Turf World Championships' and with the quantity of quality on display Sunday, who's to argue, really?

 

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Schnell Meister Looks For Better ‘Glueck’ In Third Mile Championship Try

A slashing second to the outstanding commonly owned champion Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in 2021 and a fraction unlucky when a close fifth last November, Sunday Racing's Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) will try to make the most of his third attempt at Sunday's G1 Mile Championship, back at Kyoto after being contested for two years at Hanshin due to construction at Kyoto.

Winner of the age-restricted G1 NHK Mile Cup in 2021 and third in that year's G1 Yasuda Kinen, the son of 2016 G1 Preis der Diana heroine Serienholde (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) filled the same spot behind Sunday Racing's Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) this past June after winning the G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup in 1:31.50 over this course and distance in April. He has just one start since, a cracking third–with some trouble–to the once-beaten Elton Barows (Jpn) (Deep Brillante {Jpn}) and Songline in the G2 Mainichi Okan at Tokyo Oct. 8, which should have him cherry ripe for this test.

“He couldn't get a clear run in the Mainichi Okan final stage, which was unfortunate. As a step race, however, it wasn't a bad race,” said assistant trainer Shun Nabata. “This year, the race is back at Kyoto and one of the crucial points in the race will be the downhill slope turning out of the backstretch. He'll need to have cover there, and I think that will work in his favor.”

Damian Lane produced Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) down the wide outside to win last year's renewal–while Schnell Meister was locked away inside until it was too late–and it will be up to Yuga Kawada to craft a winning trip in defence of his title. Fourth in last year's Yasuda Kinen, the G1 Racing runner defeated Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) by 1 3/4 lengths in this event 12 months ago and finished fifth in the G1 Dubai Turf on seasonal debut Mar. 25. He was a head better than Schnell Meister and 1 1/4 lengths in back of Songline in this year's Yasuda Kinen when last seen.

“This year he is coming off a spell, but he'll go to the gate in good shape even when compared to last year,” said trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida. “He's able to access his power and he's not one to have difficulties returning after time off. It will be his first time at Kyoto, with it ups and downs, and it's his first time over a downhill slope. I hope to handle the course well.”

The visiting Joao Moreira guided the filly Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) to a 1 1/4-length victory over Red Mon Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and So Valiant (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G2 Fuji S. going Tokyo's left-handed mile Oct. 21, but deserts that one in favor of the rail-drawn Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) this weekend. Fourth and not beaten far in last year's Mile Championship and third in the Yomiuri Milers Cup, he most recently atoned for a Yasuda Kinen ninth in taking the Sept. 10 G3 Keisei Hai Autumn H. with top weight of 59kg on his back.

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On ‘Song’–Again–In The Yasuda Kinen

A deluge of some 270 ml of rain–that's better than 10 inches for those of us less acquainted with the metric system–fell over the Tokyo Racecourse Friday and into early Saturday, leaving the turf course officially soft for the first of the two days of weekend racing.

Sunday dawned with perfect weather and by the time the field entered the gates for the G1 Yasuda Kinen, the course had been upgraded to good-to-firm, and that played right into the hands of Sunday Racing's Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), who came storming home down the centre to successfully defend her title in the spring mile feature. She joins Yamanin Zephyr (Jpn) (1992-93) and the great Vodka (Jpn) (2008, 2009) in putting wins back-to-back and is the third winner of the Yasuda Kinen in the last four years to carry the Sunday Racing black-and-red colours.

Sent off the fourth betting pick at 32-5, largely owing to her widest draw in 18, Songline was alertly away and settled just ahead of midfield and wide as Win Carnelian (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) set a predicatbly furious tempo in advance of G1 Osaka Hai hero Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) and the white mare Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune). Four off the rail and without cover for a time down the back of the course, Songline was eased back a spot or two by Keita Tosaki and critically managed to draft in behind recent G1 NHK Mile Cup winner Champagne Color (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) racing down the side.

Win Carnelian led narrowly into the long straight, but was soon besieged by Jack d'Or, who nosed in front with just shy of 400 metres to race. The chestnut, trying the mile for the first time, battled on bravely despite the demanding pace and took them deep into the final furlong, but Songline, switched off heels once heads were turned for home, was rallying strongly and raced over the top for the victory. Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), a forward factor throughout, bid one off the fence in the late stages and was just home for second ahead of favoured Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}), who finished his final 600 metres in a race-fastest :32.8. It was the latter's third straight Yasuda Kinen placing, having finished third in 2021 after beating Songline in the NHK Mile Cup and second last year.

Songline has been sparingly raced since her win last year, and was only 10th in defence of her title in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint in Riyadh in February before besting Sodashi last time in the May 14 G1 Victoria Mile.

“I was able to gallop her last week and felt that her form had improved, so I had every confidence in her today,” said Tosaki, who took the 2011 Yasuda Kinen aboard Real Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and was winning his 11th JRA Group 1. “The position we found was ideal, she responded beautifully and demonstrated her strong turn of foot and speed today. To score two Group 1 wins in a row is just incredible and I feel she is still steadily progressing.”

The Yasuda Kinen serves as a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile. Songline, who also earned a berth in the Filly & Mare Turf via the Victoria Mile success, was an intended runner in last year's Mile, but plans were scuppered due to inflammation in her epiglottis. Connections confirmed she will be pointed towards this year's Mile, to be held at Santa Anita Nov. 4.

Pedigree Notes:

Songline is the most accomplished runner by Kizuna, easily the best sire son of the late Deep Impact (Jpn) to date. The homebred is one of 22 black-type and 12 group winners for the 2013 G1 Tokyo Yushun hero, whose other elite-level scorer is G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) victress Akai Ito (Jpn). Himself victorious in the 2013 G2 Prix Niel and fourth to Treve (Fr) in that year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Kizuna has also made an impression on foreign soil as a sire, as his son Deep Bond (Jpn) took out the G2 Qatar Prix Foy ahead of an Arc appearance in 2021, while Bathrat Leon (Jpn) posted surprise victories in the 2022 G2 Godolphin Mile in Dubai and in this year's 1351 Turf Sprint.

Songline's second dam was kin to three Japanese stakes winners, while her great-granddam not only bred a trio of black-type winners, but is also responsible for Reizend (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}). She serves as the dam of the globetrotting Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), who won the 2019 G1 Qatar Nassau S. while placing in the G1 Hong Kong Cup and G1 Dubai Turf.

Luminous Parade is also the dam of the 2-year-old colt Sonic Line (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}), a yearling full-brother to Songline and foaled a colt by Satono Diamond (Jpn) Apr. 21.

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
YASUDA KINEN-G1, ¥347,400,000, Tokyo, 6-4, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:31.40, gd/fm.
1–SONGLINE (JPN), 123, m, 5, by Kizuna (Jpn)
1st Dam: Luminous Parade (Jpn), by Symboli Kris S
2nd Dam: Luminous Point (Jpn), by Agnes Tachyon (Jpn)
3rd Dam: Soninke (GB), by Machiavellian
O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Toru Hayashi; J-Keita Tosaki; ¥183,780,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-KSA, 15-7-2-1, $6,030,499. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Serifos (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Daiwa Major (Jpn)–Sea Front (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire). O-G1 Racing; B-Oiwake Farm; ¥73,080,000.
3–Schnell Meister (Ger), 128, h, 5, Kingman (GB)–Serienholde (Ger), by Soldier Hollow (GB). O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥45,540,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, HD, NK. Odds: 6.40, 4.80, 3.20.
Also Ran: Gaia Force (Jpn), Jack d'Or (Jpn), Red Mon Reve (Jpn), Sodashi (Jpn), Win Carnelian (Jpn), Soul Rush (Jpn), Elusive Panther (Jpn), Matenro Orion (Jpn), Cafe Pharoah, Danon Scorpion (Jpn), Champagne Color (Jpn), Meikei Yell (Jpn), Namur (Jpn), Naran Huleg (Jpn), Dolce More (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video.

 

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Schnell Meister Requires Very Best For Yasuda Kinen

Having gone excruciatingly close in the last two renewals of the G1 Yasuda Kinen, Sunday Racing's Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) takes a third crack at Japan's premier spring mile event, a 'Win and You're In' challenge race for the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita in early November.

The bay, one of 10 elite-level winner in the field, defeated Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the age-restricted G1 NHK Mile Cup over this course and distance two years ago and was narrowly beaten by champion Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in this race his next start. He found Songline just a neck too good 12 months ago and was well below par for the remainder of his 4-year-old campaign, but he hinted at a return to form with a close fourth in the G2 Nakayama Kinen over 1800 metres Feb. 26 and most recently cut back to the mile for a victory in the G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup Apr. 23, with Gaia Force (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and Soul Rush (Jpn) not far away in second and third. Christophe Lemaire, who took the 2018 Yasuda Kinen aboard Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}), will need to work out a trip from barrier 14.

“As a 5-year-old, he's more mature now,” said trainer Takahisa Tezuka. “He runs well at Tokyo, so returning to the track this time makes conditions good for him and he has a chance to win. Things to consider will be the ground and the weather before the race and on the day, as I would like him to run on good ground.”

The Milers Cup also-rans figure to be well-fancied here as well, as Gaia Force was trying the mile for the first time, while Soul Rush has shown he can hold his own at this level.

 

 

 

Songline also carries the Sunday Racing colours and will need to overcome gate 18 if she is to become the first Yasuda Kinen repeater since Vodka (Jpn) (Tamino Gimlet {Jpn}) in 2008-2009. She's raced only sparingly since, finishing fifth to Meikei Yell (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) in the G2 Centaur S. (1200m) last September and 10th to compatriot Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in defence of her title in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia in February. She bounced back last time to just touch off fan favourite Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) in the G1 Victoria Mile over track and trip May 14.

“She has not only kept her condition since her last race, but she also seems to have improved for it,” trainer Toru Hayashi said of Songline. “It's the same concept as last year with these two races, and we're seeing the real Songline. With another strong field this time, and even after winning the Victoria Mile, I still think she's a challenger again here. I'm hoping she can run another strong race.”

Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) ran home strongly to be fourth while facing his elders here last June and closed the season with a smart 1 1/4-length success in the G1 Mile Championship. The chestnut has one run under his belt this season, a meritorious fourth behind the three-peating Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Turf over a nine-furlong trip that might be a bit longer than optimal. Derby-winning jockey Damian Lane retains the call.

Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), whose sire won this in 2015, is the likely leader from gate three for Yutaka Take. The flashy chestnut, who has raced exclusively over the 2000 metres to this point in his career, took a thrilling running of the G2 Sapporo Kinen over Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) last August and was at his front-running best when landing the G1 Osaka Hai on his seasonal return Apr. 2

 

 

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