Japan set the standard again
The rising sun shone brightly again in the Middle East on the weekend as Japan, for a second successive year, dominated Dubai’s World Cup meeting at Meydan, with a new star shining bright on the global stage.
Japan’s on-track prowess now comes as no surprise. A year ago, Japan sent out five winners on World Cup day at odds of 66-1, 12-1, 8-1, 13-2 and 4-1, while this year’s successful trio commanded prices of evens, 9-2 and 10-1.
Equinox (Kitasan Black), after his breathtaking victory in the Sheema Classic (Gr 1, 2410m), is now held as one of, if not the best, talent on the planet, while the slight surprise win for rapid improver Ushba Tesoro (Orfevre) in the Dubai World Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) has propelled the six-year-old to prominence.
Trained by Tetsuya Kimura, who, among others, has trained Grade 1 winners Geoglyph (Drefong) and Stelvio (Lord Kanaloa), Equinox led from start to finish to claim an eased-down victory in the turf contest, taking his record to five wins from seven starts, including two Grade 1 triumphs in his home country.
The four-year-old earned a Racing Post Rating (RPR) of 129 after his runaway Sheema Classic triumph, the highest-rated winner since the race’s conception, and seven points higher than last year’s Japanese winner Shahryar (Deep Impact).
Owners Silk Racing Co. suggested this would not be the last we see of Equinox overseas this year, but were non-committal in suggesting just where his next destination might be.
The colt was immediately installed as the favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) at Longchamp in October. However, there are a myriad of options available to connections, including Australia.
A tilt at achieving a first, coveted win for Japan in the ‘holy grail’ of the Arc de Triomphe would rule out any trip Down Under, but the carrot of a Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) should not be dismissed for Equinox, a Grade 1 winner over a mile and a quarter in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (Gr 1, 2000m) at Tokyo in October.
Moonee Valley’s uncustomary tight turns could also put off any attempt at Australia’s championship race, but the way in which he leapt to the lead and commanded from the front, he might be not for catching, while commercially, it could open up opportunities.
Europe has exploited the shuttle stallion market to Australia for decades. With the early success in Australia of Japanese sires, including Maurice (Screen Hero) and Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact), perhaps it’s time those in the Far East target a new, lucrative market for their stallion prospects. One which would no doubt command great interest in Australia.
Satono Aladdin gets off the mark in Hong Kong
Sticking with Japanese bloodlines, Rich Hill Stud shuttler Satono Aladdin struck in Hong Kong for the first time at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The Benno Yung-trained Speedy Smartie (3 g ex Lemonade by Bertolini), making his second appearance in Hong Kong, won the Class 4, 1200-metre handicap under Zac Purton, defeating Module Construction (Overshare) by a short head.
Speedy Smartie is the third runner in the jurisdiction for Satono Aladdin, who has four horses based in Hong Kong.
The stallion has earned early success in New Zealand, with first-crop filly Pennyweka claiming the New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) on March 18, while the unbeaten Tokyo Tycoon has landed juvenile riches in the Karaka 2YO Million (RL, 1200m) and Sistema Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m). The former will bid for a first Australian Group 1 when she takes on the Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) at Randwick on April 8.
Speedy Smartie was a $110,000 buy for Best Bloodstock from the Woburn Farm draft at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale and was imported to Hong Kong after two trials in New Zealand.
Lim’s Kosciuszko dominant in Singapore
Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) confirmed his status as the best horse in Singapore when he notched a fourth stakes win in the jurisdiction with victory in the Raffles Cup (Listed, 1600m) on Saturday.
The Dan Meagher-trained five-year-old cruised to a two-and-a-half-length win over Katak (Potala Palace) as he continued to bounce back from a comprehensive defeat in Hong Kong Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) at Sha Tin in December.
The son of Kermadec (Teofilo), who was twice passed in at auction, the first as a yearling and then a two-year-old, won the Merlion Stakes (Listed, 1200m) last month, and will now target May’s Kranji Mile (Gr 3, 1600m), as he bids for redemption in Singapore’s most prestigious race having finished tenth last year.
37 for Darci Brahma
To Infinity (4 g ex Italic by Medicean) provided The Oaks Stud stallion Darci Brahma (Danehill) with a 37th individual winner from 69 starters in Hong Kong when narrowly landing a Class 5 handicap over 1600 metres at Happy Valley on Wednesday. The Jamie Richards-trained four-year-old gelding travelled well throughout and, despite finding trouble at the furlong pole, stayed on well inside the closing stages to lead on the line, beating Jolly Honour (Reliable Man) by a short-head with a further three and a quarter lengths back to Faithful Trinity (Wiener Walzer) in third. Out of the winning Medicean (Machiavellian) mare Italic, To Infinity is a full-brother to Schweppervescence Trophy (Gr 3, 1600m) winner Paint The Town. Darci Brahma stands for a fee of $15,000 (plus GST).
Four for No Nay Never
The Richard Gibson-trained One For All (4 g ex Mystical Tale by Encosta De Lago) became the fourth individual winner from seven runners for Coolmore stallion No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) in Hong Kong when holding on well in a Class 4 handicap over 1200 metres at Happy Valley on Wednesday. The four-year-old gelding made all at a moderate gallop and held on by a head from the fast-finishing Harmony N Home (Slade Power) with a further three-quarters of a length back to favourite Righteous Arion (Rich Enuff) in third place. Out of the winning Encosta De Lago (Fairy King) mare Mystical Tale, One For All is a half-brother to Hawkesbury winner London (Capitalist) and Scone winner Dorothy Gail (Capitalist). No Nay Never stands for a fee of €175,000 (approx. AU$283,940).
Two for Sooboog
Atomic Energy (3 g ex Charleah by Myboycharlie) provided Kitchwin Hills sire Sooboog (Snitzel) with his second individual winner from five starters in Hong Kong when just lasting home in a Class 4 handicap over 1000 metres at Happy Valley on Wednesday. The Tony Cruz-trained three-year-old gelding was ridden for an effort inside the final two furlongs and ran on well to lead inside the final furlong before holding on from the late closing Momentum Galaxy (The Factor) to score by a short-head. There was a further half-length back to Mr Majestic (Golden Archer) in third. Out of the winning Myboycharlie (Danetime) mare Charleah, Atomic Energy is a half-brother to Allusionist (Super One), a winner of three races in Australia for the Freedmans. Sooboog stands for a fee of $8,800 (inc GST).
Six for Rios
Right As Rain (5 g ex Ransom Claim by Red Ransom) became the sixth individual winner from seven runners in Hong Kong for his sire Rios (Hussonet) when scoring at the 15th attempt in a Class 4 handicap over 1800 metres at Happy Valley on Wednesday. Trained by David Hall, the five-year-old gelding made good headway inside the final two furlongs and kept on well in the closing stages to lead late on, beating Happy Angel (Dark Angel) by a neck with the same distance further back to Perfect To Great (Unencumbered) in third. Out of the winning Red Ransom (Roberto) mare Ransom Claim, Right As Rain is a half-brother to four winners including 11-time scorer Kakakenny (Murtajill).
18 for Swiss Ace
The Michael Chang-trained Lost Child (3 g ex Loch Leven by General Nediym) provided Westbury Stud stallion Swiss Ace (Secret Savings) with an 18th individual winner from 34 starters in Hong Kong when landing a Class 4 handicap over 1400 metres at Sha Tin on Sunday. The three-year-old gelding made good headway inside the final furlong and won a shade cosily, beating Ariel (Exceed And Excel) by a neck with a further two lengths back to favourite Galvanic (Ilovethiscity) in third place. Out of the winning General Nediym (Nediym) mare Loch Leven, Lost Child is a half-brother to three winners including She’s Choosie (Choisir), a ten-time winner for Grafton-based trainer Greg Kilner. Swiss Ace stands for a fee of $5,000 (plus GST).
24 for Tavistock
Forever Folks (4 g ex Tempting Delight by Northern Meteor) became the 24th winner from 39 starters in Hong Kong for his sire Tavistock (Montjeu) when he caused an upset in a Class 4 handicap over 1600 metres at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Michael Chang-trained four-year-old gelding kept on strongly in the closing stages to down odds-on favourite Owners’ Praise (Toronado) by three-quarters of a length with a further one and a half lengths back to the third-placed Dragon Delight (Wandjina). Out of the Northern Meteor (Encosta De Lago) mare Tempting Delight, Forever Folks is a full-brother to winner En and a half-brother to five-time winner Bulletproof (Dissident), as well as Warwick Farm scorer Magadan (Russian Revolution).