Tastiera spearheads Japanese quinella in QE II Cup marred by loss of Liberty Island
Japan reigned supreme once again in the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) with a quinella spearheaded by Tastiera, but the success was dampened by the loss of the Land of the Rising Sun's star filly Liberty Island.
Third to Romantic Warrior in December's Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), the Noriyuki Hori-trained Tastiera improved in his second trip to the city to claim a second elite-level success ahead of Japan's ever-consistent Prognosis.
But the result was soured by Liberty Island's death, with the 2023 Triple Tiara hero euthanized after breaking down in the straight after tearing sesamoid ligaments in her left front leg.
Ridden brilliantly by Australian jockey Damian Lane, Tastiera worked forward from gate 10 to settle one off in fourth before peeling out three wide to make his run at the top of the straight.
The five-year-old powered clear once hitting the front approaching the 300m, scoring by a length and three quarters to add to his only previous Group One success in the Japanese Derby (2,400m) in 2023.
'Noriyuki Hori is an amazing conditioner of horses and this horse is just a star,' said Lane, who also won the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) on Japan's Win Marilyn in 2022.
'A great success for [owners] Carrot Farm. It's just a privilege. It's what it's all about. I just feel privileged and lucky to be here on this day, let alone having great chances on these horses.
'It is what being a jockey is all about, competing on these big international carnivals. It's very rewarding.'
Brown-lamped late in betting from $8.3 to $3.7, Tastiera proved too slick for the $3.5 favourite Prognosis, who ran second in the QE II Cup for the third straight year.
The prolific Group One placegetter ran on strongly from last under James McDonald but was no match for Tastiera. Bahrain's Calif was close behind in third, while French star Goliath could only manage ninth after copping a heavy bump from Rubylot at the 300m.
Tastiera became Japan's fifth QE II Cup winner following the successes of Loves Only You (2021), who led home a famous first four for the Land of the Rising Sun, Win Bright (2019), the Hori-trained and Carrot Farm-owned Neorealism (2017) and Rulership (2012).
Hori has enjoyed plenty of success in Hong Kong, having also won the Group One Champions Mile and Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) with Maurice and the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) with Satono Crown in 2016.
'It's been a while since my last runner in Hong Kong, but I'm very grateful to win today,' Hori said.
'In my stable, only Maurice won in his first trip to Hong Kong. Since [Tastiera's] third in the Hong Kong Cup we targeted this race considering he was suitable to the track conditions and change in environment.'
Hori said Tastiera was likely to return to Hong Kong for another tilt at December's Hong Kong Cup.
McDonald, who had to settle for second in his bid for a third straight QE II Cup, rued Prognosis' slow start.
'Just his barrier manners let him down. He ran well,' McDonald said.
Jockey Adrie de Vries was thrilled with Calif's performance.
'He jumped into the bridle a little bit too soon in the turn and I had to take him back strongly, but after that he picked up nice and we are more than happy,' De Vries said. 'He finished off the race well, back to his old form.'
Zac Purton said New Zealand star El Vencedor raced too keenly in front before fading to finish last.
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