For our racing fans, those who follow international racing closely should welcome the coming of June, as we have scheduled four simulcast days and three on-day simulcast races, bringing you all some top racing action from the UK, France and Japan this month. Among the very first of them is the Yasuda Kinen – the premier spring-summer mile event in Japan, also one of the world’s top 50 G1s last year.
I am here in Tokyo for this grand event, and also the annual Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy held by the JRA on the Yasuda Kinen undercard. The big race this year is superb, led by two form horses and recent overseas victors – LONGINES Hong Kong Mile and Champions Mile winner Maurice along withDubai Turf winner Real Steel.
Our runner Contentment is also in the field and he will seek to avenge his defeat to Maurice last time. But it’s not always easy for a Hong Kong horse to take on this challenge in Tokyo at the end of the season. Past stats also favour the home team as there were only three overseas winners (two from Hong Kong) in this race since it was opened to international runners in 1993. Having said that, I think Contentment is a horse that possesses plenty of ability and the potential to spring a surprise. Join me in offering your great support during our simulcast tomorrow.
Compared to some stand-out runners in the Yasuda Kinen, the Epsom Derby and French Derby this season are very open affairs. Particular attention has been given to the Epsom original this year, as with its increased prize money of 1.545 million pounds, it becomes the richest race ever run in England. You can catch up the live action from Epsom and Chantilly when the races are beamed live to Hong Kong tonight and tomorrow evening.
I will keep my eye on the results of Sunday’s action, where the featured event is the ninth race, the HKU SPACE Handicap, a Class 2 event going 1,800 metres of the B+2 course. Many things went right for Winning Leader last time, and I expect he will likely go forward again. Ishvara is well-drawn and should adopt a close position while Solar Hei Hei could also take-up a handy position from a wide barrier. McQueen and Up And Coming are likely to race in mid-pack with Basic Trilogy and Ensuring. General Sherman will likely be rear of mid-division.
Basic Trilogy has two wins at the distance, including one over the course last out in a very slick time, and is a likely contender to repeat in this position. He is my main win and place chance. Joao Moreira sticks with this gelding he should enjoy a trip very similar to his last race success. General Sherman put forth his best effort in Hong Kong to date thus far and might be close to peak fitness at this point, making him a solid placing hope. With one exception this season, Up And Coming has been fairly consistent. He will have to negotiate a wide barrier which could be his undoing but is a place chance.
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