Latest news with #Tastiera
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
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Big-name raiders could hunt QE II Cup riches in Romantic Warrior's absence
Big-name raiders like Goliath, Dubai Honour, Liberty Island and Tastiera could look to pounce on next month's Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) riches in the absence of local superstar Romantic Warrior. With Romantic Warrior, who has won the past three QE II Cups, likely to head for a spell after the Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) on April 5, and Voyage Bubble expected to target the Champions Mile, the lion's share of the HK$28 million QE II Cup purse looks destined to head abroad in 2025. Liberty Island and Tastiera, who filled the placings behind Romantic Warrior in December's Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), are among 13 Japanese entries for the race, while gallopers from the likes of France, Ireland, Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia were also among the nominations released by the Jockey Club on Wednesday afternoon. The 31 overseas entries for the QE II Cup are the most of the three FWD Champions Day features on April 27, with the Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) attracting interest from 15 raiders and 17 overseas gallopers in the mix for the Champions Mile. Japan's Lugal, the Ciaron Maher-trained Jimmysstar and Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald's Lady Laguna are among those who may set their sights on local hero Ka Ying Rising in the Chairman's Sprint Prize, while Lucky Sweynesse, California Spangle, Helios Express and Howdeepisyourlove are also among the local nominations. A showdown between Group One superstars Voyage Bubble and Australia's Mr Brightside looms in the Champions Mile, while William Haggas' Golden Eagle (1,500m) winner, Lake Forest, Japan's Soul Rush and reigning champion Beauty Eternal have also been entered. 'We are delighted with the spread of entries and quality of interest in this year's FWD Champions Day features – including 56 entries from our overseas friends and 39 from Hong Kong, laying the foundation for another wonderful staging of our spring flagship meeting,' said Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding. Beautiful! 💕 But not for Golden Sixty who can only manage fourth behind BEAUTY ETERNAL in the G1 Champions Mile.#FWDChampionsDay # — World Horse Racing (@WHR) April 28, 2024 'The excitement that the world's best sprinter Ka Ying Rising brings each time he races is electric and we cannot wait to see him tested once more against international opposition in the Chairman's Sprint Prize. 'Exceptional miler Voyage Bubble has gone from strength to strength across the last six months and he will face another exciting challenge next month. 'Our global champion, Romantic Warrior, has given us some incredible memories this year in Dubai and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so while we are disappointed not to see him go for a fourth win in the FWD QE II Cup, we are immensely proud of his efforts, and his absence opens the door for what shapes as a remarkably competitive FWD QE II Cup.'
