Latest news with #QEIICup
Japan Forward
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Hong Kong Racing: Tastiera Returns to Top Level with Victory in QEII Cup
Damian Lane guided Tastiera to a 1¾-length victory over Prognosis in the lucrative 2,000-meter G1 race at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong. Tastiera, piloted by Damian Lane, triumphs in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on April 27, 2025. (©The Hong Kong Jockey Club/via SANKEI) It was FWD Champions Day in Hong Kong on Sunday, April 27 and among the competition from around the world, Japan sent eight runners to contest the three G1 races held on the day at Sha Tin Racecourse. Prior to the big event, it looked as if Japan's best chance of a win might come in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (aka QEII Cup), a race that has given the country winners on numerous occasions, with the most recent being Loves Only You in 2021. Three of Japan's best middle-distance horses were entered for the race, and each one of them was looking to find a way to get their careers back on track, having not quite lived up to expectations recently. The 2025 QEII Cup looked to be at the mercy of one of the Japanese runners, but they would have to beat the French-trained Goliath, winner of the 2024 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, and a respectable sixth-place getter in the Japan Cup, the last time he ran, when connections felt things didn't go his way. It was Tastiera that proved to be the best of the Japan-trained runners, with the 2023 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) champion winning the QEII Cup under jockey Damian Lane, riding once again for trainer Noriyuki Hori. Always racing in a handy position, Tastiera went on to win comfortably. Lane had nothing but praise for the trainer: "He's an amazing conditioner of horses, and I just feel privileged and lucky to be here on these days, as well as getting to ride these top horses. It's very rewarding." Hori was also pleased with the outcome. "It's been a while since the horse has shown his best here in Hong Kong," Hori said. "With the different environment, it's not always easy to bring out the best in him. Maurice has been the only horse I've brought here that could win at the first attempt. I have to thank Damian as well, being a key man for our stable." Japan's other two runners in the race, Prognosis and Liberty Island, both trained by Mitsumasa Nakauchida, couldn't match up to the might of Tastiera. Prognosis, ridden by James McDonald, finished second in the race for the third consecutive year. Liberty Island, a multiple G1 winner in Japan, had to be pulled up by jockey Yuga Kawada, just when it seemed the horse might have a chance turning for home. According to Jiji Press, Liberty Island was diagnosed with a torn ligament in her left foreleg. After the race, the 5-year-old was euthanized. Ka Ying Rising (Zac Purton's ride) claims victory in the Chairman's Sprint Prize. (©The Hong Kong Jockey Club/via SANKEI) The first of the G1 races on the day, the Chairman's Sprint Prize, saw Japan field four runners in a bid to lower the colors of champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising. But the 4-year-old gelding, trained by David Hayes, proved to be just that and some more, when running away with the 1,200 meters contest. Before the race, Joao Moreira, hot off G1 success in Japan, thought he might be able to get a bit closer to the champion on Satono Reve (also trained by Hori). But it was just wishful thinking, even though he was still pleased with this year's G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen winner. "We've probably just bumped into the best sprinter in the world," the Brazilian ace commented. "I couldn't have been happier though, with the way my horse performed." Japan's other runners, Lugal, Danon McKinley and A Shin Fencer, all started slowly, although the latter was driven up to be closer to the pace by jockey Craig Williams. And while Lugal and Danon McKinley gained ground on the inside later in the race, they were certainly no match for the latest sprint sensation in Hong Kong, who won in a time of 1 minute, 7.88 seconds, 2¼ lengths ahead of Satono Reve. Not too much was lost in defeat, with winning jockey Zac Purton saying: "I applaud the Japanese. They're willing to travel and take anyone on anywhere in the world." FWD Champions Mile winner Red Lion (left) and runner-up Voyage Bubble compete in Hong Kong. (©The Hong Kong Jockey Club/via SANKEI) Gaia Force was the other runner for Japan on the day, and he contested the G1 FWD Champions Mile. Up against the likes of Hong Kong's Voyage Bubble and Australia's Mr Brightside, the striking 6-year-old grey by Kitasan Black put in a good run before fading to ninth at the finish. Trainer Haruki Sugiyama shrugged off the wide draw for the horse, and he looked to be right, with Kawada getting Gaia Force into a good position, where he could run to suit his racing style. He was, however, unable to keep up the momentum, with longshot Red Lion and Voyage Bubble doing battle to the line, and it was Hugh Bowman on the outsider that just prevailed, but he did have to survive a stewards' inquiry. Of Gaia Force, Kawada said: "He started well and kept up the pressure, but just lost some power towards the end." Official results: Sprint, Mile, Cup Please visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website for the latest news and further information. Author: JRA News
South China Morning Post
27-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
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.
South China Morning Post
27-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Bumper Champions Day to feature ‘best international line-up we have had'
There may be no Romantic Warrior, but Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges remains confident Sunday's FWD Champions Day will be the best yet. While local hero Romantic Warrior, the world's highest-earning racehorse, is enjoying a break after a tough overseas campaign, superstars Ka Ying Rising and Voyage Bubble will fly the Bauhinia flag and a record 14 international gallopers will grace the Sha Tin turf across Sunday's three features. 'I personally think it has grown and even if you compare it to before Covid, probably this is the best international line-up we have had,' Engelbrecht-Bresges said of Champions Day, which was introduced by the Jockey Club in 2018. 'We are delighted with the Australian participation and you probably can't have a more popular horse than Mr Brightside. This will create huge interest. 'We are really delighted with how this has shaped up and having 14 international runners, we are heading the right way.' Sunday's richest race, the HK$28 million Group One QE II Cup (2,000m), will feature six international raiders in three-time winner Romantic Warrior's absence, with French giant Goliath shaping up against crack Japanese trio Prognosis, Tastiera and Liberty Island. World's Best Sprinter!? We certainly think so. 🌏 Ka Ying Rising dazzles at Sha Tin, lowering his track record to 1m 07.20s for 1200m with a ninth straight win and second Group 1 in the Centenary Sprint Cup... @zpurton #SpeedSeries | #TripleCrown | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 19, 2025 New Zealand's El Vencedor, to be ridden by Zac Purton, and Bahrain's Calif complete the overseas contingent, while it's a pair of four-year-old's who are perhaps the most interesting of the local brigade. Cap Ferrat will look to become the first horse since Romantic Warrior in 2022 to do the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m)-QE II Cup double in the same season, while Classic Cup winner Rubylot looks open to further improvement. Straight Arron won the key local lead-up race, the Group Two Chairman's Trophy (1,600m), and is not without a chance for the home team, but the reality is it would require a significant upset to prevent the lion's share of the QE II Cup riches heading abroad. A nine-time Group One winner for Ben, Will & JD Hayes in Australia, Mr Brightside has finally made it to Hong Kong after numerous false starts, and he is joined by another galloper trained Down Under, Royal Patronage, in the Group One Champions Mile. Japan's Gaia Force and Goemon of Bahrain also line-up in the HK$24 million feature, but the internationals will have their work cut out beating Ricky Yiu Poon-fai's brilliant miler Voyage Bubble. With the Group One Hong Kong Mile and Group One Stewards' Cup already in the bag, Voyage Bubble can join exalted company by sweeping all three of Hong Kong's elite-level 1,600m contests in the same season. No Golden Sixty this year! 😏 Second in the 2023 renewal, Voyage Bubble takes the @LONGINES Hong Kong Mile with @mcacajamez for Ricky Yiu! #HKIR | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 8, 2024 Mark Newnham's My Wish, an agonising second in the Derby, and Galaxy Patch are also among the local hopes in what promises to be a mouthwatering Champions Mile. History awaits for Ka Ying Rising in the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m), with the David Hayes-trained speedster looking to join Beauty Generation and Lucky Sweynesse as eight-time winners in a single Hong Kong season. Standing in Ka Ying Rising's way is perennial bridesmaid Helios Express and a quartet of Japanese speedsters headlined by Satono Reve, who finished third behind Ka Ying Rising in December's Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) and will be ridden by fan favourite Joao Moreira. While a fourth straight Group One win from Ka Ying Rising would no doubt mean plenty for Hayes senior, it's certainly not the only result capable of making the Australian Hall of Fame trainer's day on Sunday. 'I'd say if Brightside managed to win it would be one of my proudest and happiest moments in racing,' said Hayes in reference to the galloper trained by his sons.
South China Morning Post
26-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
‘Amazing' Goliath ready to rumble ahead of QE II Cup battle
Francis-Henri Graffard believes his 'amazing' Goliath can gain some revenge against Japanese opposition in a Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) loaded with internationals at Sha Tin on Sunday. French trainer Graffard enjoyed a stellar 2024 with Goliath, who produced a scintillating performance to beat subsequent Group One Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) winner Bluestocking and Group One Breeders' Cup Turf (2,400m) victor Rebel's Romance in the Group One King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot (2,400m) last July. He backed that up with a win in the Group Two Prix du Conseil de Paris (2,200m) before being left frustrated by an extremely slow pace in the Group One Japan Cup (2,400m), where he wasn't able to land a blow. Graffard arrived in Hong Kong just hours before Goliath's Friday morning work and was very pleased by what he saw. 'He looked great – a bit light,' said Graffard. 'He lost a bit of weight during transport but he's back on his feed now. He looked well under the saddle on the track, my team here are very happy with him, so I'm pleased. Wow! Goliath produces a superb performance to land the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at @Ascot for @CSoumillon and @GraffardRacing... — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 27, 2024 'We questioned ourselves about coming here in December after Japan, but it was his first long journey and we knew we had a strong season to look forward to this year. We didn't want to upset him too much so we decided to build the season by starting here in April. 'The idea was to go to Japan last time and get a good pace, but we were stuck on the rail and it went against my horse on the day. He still managed to run decently so we weren't too disappointed – it was always the plan to drop him in distance to start the season.' The question of whether the 2,000m distance will be enough for the long-striding Goliath has been much debated, but Graffard is confident lightening will not strike twice and he will get the pace he needs to pounce. Plenty of that belief is due to jockey Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon, who has partnered Goliath in his last three runs. That can be no surprise, as Soumillon has been sensational across the globe – winning 121 races in Hong Kong, including the Group One Hong Kong Mile on two occasions. 'He should get a pace – and when he gets a pace he's a very impressive horse,' said Graffard. 'When things go his way, like everyone saw in the King George, he's an amazing horse. 'Christophe knows the horse well, he nearly went forward to lead in the Japan Cup but he didn't have the chance. Anything is possible with him, he's not a difficult ride but he's tricky. 'It's a long season so I don't want him to be too strong in front – I would much prefer to see him finish well.' This year's QE II Cup is a truly international affair, with six of the 11-strong field coming from France, Japan, Bahrain and New Zealand. Last year's second Prognosis, Tastiera and Liberty Island make up a strong Japanese contingent and although aware of the task, Graffard believes his horse has what it takes to gain a small bit of revenge after his frustrating Japan Cup run. 'Everywhere we go in the world now, it seems the main opposition is Japanese horses,' said Graffard. 'They have unbelievable breeds and fantastic racehorses. 'We'll see how it goes, but I have a lot of belief in my horse. When he's at his best and everything goes his way, he's a very good horse.' Goliath has gained a fan club for his fascinating stringhalt gait, a neurological condition that sees him exaggerate his action on his hind legs. The condition is clearly no hindrance, though it has given the trainer some heart-stopping moments. 'I remember at Royal Ascot in the paddock he was doing it with both legs and I was like 'oh my God',' said Graffard. 'When he canters and accelerates, he's impressive. 'The mechanics are good, it's just at his walk. Sometimes he does it and sometimes he doesn't – it's why he's such a personality.'
South China Morning Post
25-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Japanese trio ready to make hay while Romantic Warrior is away
The last time the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) was run without the Hong Kong superstar, gallopers from the Land of the Rising Sun filled the first four placings The last time the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) was run without Romantic Warrior, brilliant mare Loves Only You headed up a Japanese first four in the richest of the three FWD Champions Day features. This Sunday, it's very possible gallopers from the Land of the Rising Sun fill the trifecta. In 2021, Loves Only You led Glory Vase, Daring Tact and Kiseki over the line to not only complete a Japanese domination of that year's edition of the QE II Cup but also continue an impressive run of three victories in five years for the country. Now, with three-time QE II Cup champion Romantic Warrior enjoying a breather after a demanding campaign in the Middle East, three gallopers who know what it's like to chase home the world's highest-earning racehorse will get their chance to shine in his absence. Liberty Island and Tastiera, who filled the placings behind Romantic Warrior in December's Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), are firmly in the market, while Prognosis – runner-up in the past two QE II Cups – is also among the leading hopes. While they must beat French heavyweight Goliath, New Zealand's El Vencedor and local runners Rubylot and Cap Ferrat, among others, the Japanese trio have the form on the board in Hong Kong and look poised to continue their country's strong association with the race. Joao Moreira, who snared the 2017 QE II Cup for Japan aboard Neorealism, is expecting the Japanese contingent to be 'very hard to beat'. While the star Brazilian jockey will ride rank outsider Moments In Time in the HK$28 million feature, he's spent plenty of time riding in Japan recently and he has a big opinion of a horse he has previously ridden on race day. 'I saw Tastiera this morning and he looked stunning and shining. On my pick, I think he will be the horse to beat, but racing is racing and you never know what is going to happen,' said the Magic Man. While the QE II Cup honour roll is littered with successful overseas raiders, Moreira's mount Satono Reve and three other Japanese speedsters are looking to become only the second international winners of the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) after Australia's Chautauqua. It's a similar story in the Group One Champions Mile, with leading overseas hope Mr Brightside looking to buck a trend that has seen only Variety Club (2014) and Maurice (2016) deny the locals in the race's 24-year existence. El Vencedor ticking along nicely Zac Purton and James McDonald have been trading blows at the pointy end of Hong Kong's biggest races for some time now and the star Australian will look to get one up on his Kiwi rival by spearing New Zealand-trained rival El Vencedor to victory in Sunday's QE II Cup. While El Vencedor, who shrugged off a hoof abscess earlier this week, proved difficult for Purton to kick into gear on Thursday morning, his eventual work over 1,200m on the turf pleased trainer Stephen Marsh. 'All happy. It was good to have Zac on today to get a feel for him. As you can see, he has got a massive grandstand to look at here and it took him a little while to get going but once he got going, he is still not fully concentrating,' said Marsh of El Vencedor, who drew barrier one at Thursday's draw. 'Now he has had that good look, it will bring him on beautifully and that's all he really wanted.'
