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The latest in world horse racing news from the journalists at Idol Horse.
Speaker 2 (00:00.376)
For the Idold Horse Podcast Network, I'm Andrew Lejeune with the Idol Horse Newsdesk. Coming off a huge day at Sha Tin for FWD Champions Day, Globetrotting reporter Andrew Hawkins and racing journalist from the Standard in Hong Kong, Jack Dawling, will join me once more to discuss the main topics from the afternoon's action ahead of the first Saturday in May for followers of US Racing. And it's the beginning of the classic season in the UK too. It's Tuesday.
April the 27th.
Speaker 2 (00:37.08)
Well, Jack, it was great to be there at Chartin for FWD Champions Day. And we'll start with the sprint, Jack, and just an unbelievable performance once more from Kaiying Rising. David Hayes saying he's without question now he's the best he's ever had. Where does he sit now in terms of Hong Kong's greats?
Yeah, it was a tremendous day. Thanks, Andrew and Ka Ying Rising, as we have come to expect of him. Just completely destroyed the field once again with Satono Reve and the gallant Helios Express in behind in second and third. But look, they were always going to be playing second and third fiddle. He started off a $1.05, 20 to 1 on, and there wasn't one sign of panic from Zac Purton in the saddle. He was drawn in barrier four. He took a little bit of doubt out of the equation that he could get stuck in the pocket. He didn't go for the rail. Opted to sit one off in about 4, 4, 5 there.
first section, they went pretty quick, but he took it up at the top of the straight and put it to bed in very good style. was a good cherry on top of a perfect season, 12 in a row. And as you say, where does he sit in terms of Hong Kong greats? He's been just nudged up two points to 134, equaling the great Golden 60 and of course, Romantic Warrior. And while this season has been a lot of, he could be one of the greats, he could be one of the greats. think, albeit he's only four years old, he's definitely one of Hong Kong's greats now.
There was a few people that were happy to knock him on the manner of his performance Hawk back in December But this really put an exclamation mark on the season perfect eight from eight
Absolutely it did. I think we were all hoping that we were going to see the real keying rising yesterday and certainly got to see that which was fantastic because I think we'd all been able to witness it from afar. We'd seen the way that he won the Queen Silver Jubilee Cup, the Sprint Cup.
Speaker 1 (02:22.062)
It's in a way, obviously, one of the Jockey Club's sprint going into December. So to see him really just demonstrate that push button acceleration and race right clear, he's down late, obviously. And to still beat 108 on that track, I think we really saw the best of him. And it's just exciting to think what he might be able to do as a five-year-old.
Well, one of those targets, Jack, will be the Everest. Are we any further along the line as far as negotiations are concerned? There's something else that cropped up actually at the press conference during the week and David Hayes became quite animated about it when he was asked about what is the potential to race on in Australia. He indicated he'd like to go to Victoria, but he was under the impression and wasn't happy about it that the horse would have to have a second CT scan if that was going to be the case.
Yeah, it's a little bit intriguing. There's still some kind of, I suppose, the I's need to be dotted and the T's need to be crossed with regards to what happens before and after the Everest. David Hayes was again mentioning that if the Chief Executive's Cup on the first day of the season was going to be changed into a terms race, he would definitely be running in it. He has to go into quarantine to go to Australia six days after the first meeting of the season, next season. And then, of course, all systems go for the Everest.
It looks like hopefully the slot decision, of course, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Winfried EngelbrechtBresges are kind of taking control there in negotiations of how they want that to play out. Hopefully that will be done within the next week or two. And then, of course, it be all systems go for the Everest. I suppose we'll just have to let things unfold in terms of what happens just before and just after that.
Again, from that press conference, Andrew David's indicating that although he'd thought about a mark, he still thinks that the horse will get 1600 metres. Quote was, he rinses and repeats next season and trying to complete the sprint series once more.
Speaker 1 (04:14.766)
And why would you step him up to a mile when there is such a great program for him? I think the racing fan in me would love to see him step up to 1600 metres, but as David said, when you've got a program there that's perfect for him that he's already proven himself at, he may as well do that. Now, there may be the opportunity to step him up and trip as an older horse, but at this stage there's really no reason to step him up and trip. And I guess you look at a horse like Black Caviar, for instance, she only stepped up to the 1400 metres once.
That didn't diminish her greatness as much as versatility is a great thing and we might see some versatility from some of the other courses in Hong Kong. There's just no need. If you're winning and you're winning in the way he is, why not just keep going?
And something really doesn't have to step out of the shadows at the moment because Satono Reve came off a great win in Japan. Jack, no match again and Helios Express. Another fantastic run, good prize money, but they're not looking like they're getting anywhere near as far as beating him is concerned.
No, absolutely not. If there was a prize for best supporting actor this year, Helios Express has got his name on that, that's for sure. He's taken his career earnings nearly up to 40 million and he hasn't actually won since his classic cup win over a year ago. Look, he's been playing second fiddle, but I think John Sides has made it quite clear that he's quite happy to be running behind the best sprinter we've seen in quite a few years and pick up some nice prize money along the way. And yes, it'd be great to see him stepped up to a mile and...
Even you can mention that the Yasuda Kinen or somewhere like that. But whilst he's running around behind the world's best sprinter and picking up some nice prize money is as Hawke said there with a decent schedule and a decent program on for him. Again, I don't see why you want to change it right now.
Speaker 2 (05:58.158)
And as far as Satono Reve's concerned, Hawk, he looks like a fit horse. There's nothing really domestically for him in Japan until September now. So what are the potentials for him?
look, think there was quite a bit of thought about where could he go? Look, do they just wait for the sprinter's stakes, which comes up late September, early October? But I think that when entries close today for Ascot, for Royal Ascot, for the big group ones, his name may be there in the entries for the Jubilee, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee stakes. Been a fascinating move by Horiyuki Hori but we're really seeing
how great an international trainer he is and I'm sure we'll talk more about that when we get to Tastiera's win but it would be great to see him there at Ascot. Obviously not a meeting that has been targeted too much by the Japanese considering the international raids that they've undertaken. The horses that we think about are mainly their middle distance horses like the Hikari or Sharyar in recent years but it'd be great to see them take a Sprinter over as well.
That was the performance of day, think, Ka Ying Rising. Certainly one was expected as well. We move on to the mile, possibly not Jack, the result everyone was expecting there. We had another short price favourite in Voyage Bubble. Red line though, crossed the line in front, but there was an anxious wait to see if that result would stand with a protracted stewards inquiry as well. Did the stewards get it right, do think?
Well, 17 minutes, no less for the stewards to make their mind up. And I do I do think they made they made the right decision. Actually, Hugh Bowman was on the other side of a decision which wasn't too dissimilar to this with Sky Trust, I think, in February when he winning gold went and won the race. But I think he's just done enough to actually keep the race. Yes, he may have come off his racing line slightly. The contact was very late, very marginal. And I think Voyage Bowl had every chance to get in and get his head in front if he wanted to. Of course, it was a
Speaker 3 (07:52.512)
a big shock, a horse who took five starts to get off the mark in Ireland and seven starts to get off the mark in Hong Kong, winning his first group one at the age of six. It was a very good performance and of course, probably a race that not too many Australians want to look back on as well.
Yeah, we'll come back to that in a minute, Hawk, but Redline, very consistent runner-up in this race last year, a lot of this has got to come down. And a great ride from Hugh Bowman as well, we should mention that, but a lot of this has got to come down to the master himself, John Sighs, doesn't it?
Absolutely, you look at John Size he's never wanted to have a horse that is a superstar. He's never wanted to really have a horse that wins again and again and again, but he can always turn them up in good order and if circumstances fall their right way then they're able to win. We saw it last year with Beauty Eternal who beat Red Lion that day and then we saw it this year with Red Lion. mean not just his first group one but his first stakes win.
who'd only won two class ones before this. He won the final of a Hong Kong Macau Trophy, beating Beauty Eternal that day. And then he won the Chinese New Year Cup last year, beating Mugen Beineck. Now, you wouldn't think beating Mugen Beineck would get you to group one success, but again, great ride by Hugh Bowman. And look, I think it was one of those races where it did look like there wasn't much speed on paper. In the end...
It was Red Lion that took it up and Hugh rode in perfectly but there were a couple in behind there that it was a bit surprising not to see on the speed. The likes of Chacheng Glory, Royal Patronage, I'm betting those jockeys, Joe Moreira and Tim Clark probably wishing that they could have their time over again.
Speaker 2 (09:34.03)
Voyage Bubble was the short price favorites Jack and it surely has run way below his his figure and his you know, it's what he's certainly capable of but having said that you've spoken to Ricky you and he seems happy with him to push on for a potential triple crown bid now
Yeah, of course, Ricky, you did confirm to me that they will be pushing on for the Triple Crown and he is very confident that he's going to get those extra 400 meters. Obviously stepping up from previously racing over 2000 to the 2400 and what looks like could be a pretty strong champions in Chater Cup actually. So it's all systems go for Voyage Bubble. Yes, he was he was disappointed not to get the result, but again, we put in a big, brave performance. And as you say, it was it was an interesting race from a tactical point of view, but
Also, Hugh Bowman, as you say, it was a cracking performance for him, but for John Sighs to be turning out a horse running all three first sectionals inside standard and then still managing to cling on, was a big performance from the front because they didn't go slow at all early doors, but Voyage Bubble will be trying to become only the second horse to win the Triple Crown on May 27th.
River Verde and the other one, only other one without records at this point in time. Of the beaten horses, Hawke, Sunlight Power, huge run as well and my wish, the classic mile winner and derby runner-up, thought acquitted himself well.
Speaker 1 (10:59.246)
think in those two horses we've seen potentially the future of the milder vision. Sunlight Power, brilliant run. Kristof Soumyon hugging the fence and just flying home. It's quite amazing when you watch that inside shot that the Jockey Club had and you see the ground he's making up. It's through the line. It's fantastic to watch.
The other one there being MyWish as well who's stuck on Gamelie. think everyone would agree that he's still 12 months away from his best and look forward to seeing what he can do in 12 months time. Speaking of Mark Newham the other day, he's really quite convinced that, you'll see an even better horse in December, but it won't be until this time next year that you really see the best of MyWish. So I think it's a positive there. And look, I think that the Hong Kong Mile Division, which is generally...
one of the stronger divisions in Hong Kong looks to have some potential depth going forward to December and obviously into the years ahead.
Just to wrap up the Cup Jack, it seemed on paper that Australia had sent two really strong challenges there for the Marlin Royal patronage and Mr Brightside, but neither of them really fired a shot.
and they just both didn't look comfortable throughout I think it's fair to say as well. Mr. Brightside of course was little lit up during the race and they didn't go too slowly and they both didn't really find anything when asked. It was pretty disappointed. They said they've both pulled up okay, nothing's come to light afterwards so I think it's just one of those where they're unfortunately gonna have to dust themselves up and come again whether it's coming back to Hong Kong I wouldn't be too social but it's a bit of a shame really.
Speaker 2 (12:33.742)
Anything to add there, Hawke? It's always, you for the narrative you want the visitors to do well. They can't always all win, but you want them to have a, you know, a positive run to encourage them to come back. But it just wasn't to be, obviously, this time.
Yeah and I think that the sad thing is that obviously as an Australian I'm very parochial and I really would love to see our racing franked on the world stage and so when horses perform below their best especially beyond the sprint trips it leads to those natural calls that Australian racing isn't that strong. I don't think it's fair to judge based on the performances of those two yesterday. Royal Patronage, look I thought he'd be the leader and I thought he'd be able to stick on. He raced flat so I'm happy to
forgive him for that. Mr Brightside, we didn't see the real Mr Brightside but look I can understand why the pot shots are being taken but personally I think that you know I think that a mile Australia is able to saddle up world-class horses we just didn't see yesterday.
We've still got the Cup to look at but that was the Sprint, Keying, Rising and a shock. Red Line taking the mile but we'll look at the big one. That's up next.
you
Speaker 2 (13:48.238)
The FWD QE2 Cup then was the big one on the program. No romantic warrior this time, Hawke, but it was Noriyuki Horii who's tastiera. A little bit too good here. again, we talked about John Sy's earlier on, just such a wonderful trainer and just enhancing his Hong Kong record once more.
And that's the thing, think the two trainers that are often compared are John Sighs in the Western world and in Japan it is Noriyuki Horii, very methodical, very particular, very good conditioners of horses and Noriyuki Horii, what a trainer. Tastiera going two better than he did in December but you look at both his Champions Day record and his overall Hong Kong record and it's phenomenal. He's had six starters on Champions Day, three winners, those being
Morris in the Champions mile in 2016, Nio Realism in the QE2 in 2017, and then obviously the win with Tastiera. But then obviously had Satona Red from second in the Chairman's Sprint Prize, and he's had two other QE2 runners, Hishiyo Guazu who ran fifth last year, and also Satona Crown who was down the track, but then he brought him back to win in December the VARs beating Highland Real. So I mean that's an incredible record. Overall his Hong Kong record, five wins.
from 18 starters and a further eight placing. So he's had 13 in the money there in Hong Kong from 18 starters. And he's also the first trainer to win five group ones in Hong Kong from abroad. First international trainer to win five group ones at Sha Tin. So an incredible record. And look, I think this is only the start of the international year of Noriyuki Horii. We get to see him in Kentucky next weekend in the Kentucky Derby with Luxor Cafe and...
what a story it would be if he was the first Japanese trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. So really excited to see what Noriyuki Horii can do for rest of the year. We obviously mentioned potentially Satona Red going to Ascot as well. So it's going to be a very big year for Horii and I think that international punters would be well served following him wherever he goes.
Speaker 2 (15:55.456)
should have mentioned this when we talking about the sprint, but I was in the wearing room waiting to speak to Joe, Jack, after Satono Rave. And I appreciate there's the back and forth of the translation, but they must have spoken about Satono Rave for a good 10 or 12 minutes after the race. That's the of the level of detail they're going into with his translator going backwards and forwards and Joe trying to just find out exactly what the key was, what went right, what went wrong.
that's against a horse like Caing Rising, so I can only imagine what it's like with a horse like Tastier and all the other horses under his care as well.
Yeah, for sure. And luckily, I think for him, probably the translation wouldn't have had to be as long for for Tastiera because he was supreme and dominant at the line. And I mean, turning for home, Damien Lane was traveling beautifully and there was an ominous authority at the top of the straight. And it was merely just a question of how far the winning margin was going to be really three, three hundred meters from home. And it was it was a fantastic performance, of course, that the race was marred by the unfortunate death of Liberty Island, who I know will speak about shortly.
It was a fantastic performance. There was great patience there shown from waiting after the Hong Kong Cup to run in the QE2 Cup and he'll be back in December. So it'd be great to see him back in December for the Hong Kong Cup. Of course, having another shot at Romantic Warrior. And of course, we can't leave out the mighty prognosis. He just loves finishing second at Chartin. James McDonnell said his barrier man has probably cost him.
the but I didn't think he jumped all that badly. And of course he was at the rear of the field coming home with a withering burst, beating the length and three quarters. And if you're a prognosis back, you're probably feeling a little bit sorry for yourself right about now.
Speaker 2 (17:35.438)
Do you fall into that category, Hawk?
I certainly do. Look, I thought that, well, I certainly fall into the category of being a prognosis backer. I don't fall into the category of feeling sorry for myself. think, look, he jumped okay. I was surprised that McDonald took him back to last. I thought he had the ability to hold his position midfield, but look, he's unveiled a great run. He's reeled off some great sectionals and Tassiero just had first run on him. I think the other thing that's worth mentioning too.
is that now three of the last four Tokyo Yushun winners or Japanese Derby winners have now won on the world stage. So that's Sharia winning winning Ashima Classic obviously Danon Dessal winning Ashima Classic, Tassiera winning the QE2 Cup. The only one of the four who actually failed on the world stage is probably the best of them all and that's Dojuice. So it just shows you how great an effort, how great a race it is. I definitely think we should be watching the Tokyo Yushun coming up at the
end of May and definitely worth keeping an eye on Idol Horses Tokyo Yushin Power Rankings because there's going to be some movement there in the coming weeks.
And Hawk Jack mentioned Liberty Island, of course, just terrible for a great mayor like that to suffer the injuries. They couldn't be saved. They've got a great team of vets there at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. And it seemed to, I'm sure it hit connections, all of them very hard, but Yuka Kawada in particular.
Speaker 1 (19:04.856)
That picture that was put out by Sports Hachi from Japan, I thought that was one of the most moving racing images I've seen and I thought it was done really respectfully. It wasn't a case of showing any injury, it was just Yuga Kawada in tears, cradling her head and as she stood there, he would have known what fate befell her and as most of us did, to be fair, but...
It was such a moving image and I remember seeing that picture and just thinking, yeah, this is, look, it is such a tragic event. And look, we know this is the reality of racing, but it doesn't make it any easier. And I think that anyone who was there would have been moved yesterday, really moved by her because she was such a great mare. What she managed to do as a three-year-old, she puts her in rare air in Japan.
Look, we may not have seen her at her best since, but we know just how good she was on her day and obviously she would have made a great brood mare. So very, very sad condolences to Mr. Mastin, Nakia Cheetah, to Yiga Kawada, to the Sunday Racing owners. And look, hopefully, hopefully we can pay respect to her in the way that she deserves. I know Northern Horse Park have set up a floral tribute to her up in Hokkaido and I'm sure we'll be reflecting on her in the days ahead on NIDAL Horse.
you say a picture can speak a thousand words and I think that was certainly the case on this occasion. Some of the other runners that do need to mention Califf, was super I thought, Jack, and great to see a new racing jurisdiction to a certain extent or an emerging racing jurisdiction getting involved there on the big day.
Yeah, for sure. couldn't really land a glove on Romantic Warrior in December, but to run a big third as well from settling just behind the speed there in fifth, beating two lengths, it was a really good run, course, to see that and who knows where he'll go next.
Speaker 2 (21:04.043)
Hork, we talked about My Wish in the Mile, Cap for R and Ruby Lots also coming out of the the four-year-old series, the Derby winner of course, Cap for R. How do you think they stood up?
I think they ran respectable races. don't think everyone was convinced and I certainly wasn't convinced that they would be able to hold their position and be able to prove that they belonged in these sorts of races but they were in a photo for the of ensued and I think that there's enough there to think that potentially as five-year-olds they can come back and compete at that level. Look, are they going to be good enough? We still don't know but I think that they definitely deserve the chance to be able to go and
and contest those races, and contest a Hong Kong cup when we get to December and obviously see what other races are around for them, potentially a Champions and Chater, whether it's this year or next.
All right, so Jack, in wrapping up the day, what was your big takeaway from the event?
Yeah, I'd say, Hawke just mentioned it there, I'd say we were initially questioning the overall strength of the four-year-old Classic Series crop. And I think, yes, they put a good marker down that this season's bunch, I think, can be a force at Group 1 level next year or in the next two years. Mark Quinn finishing second in a Class 2. My wish, of course, would be to lengthen the Champions' mile after a long season. He was out on the first day of the season back in September. And then Kat Fram, Ruby Lock finishing fifth and sixth in the...
Speaker 3 (22:28.096)
in the QE2, they've had long four year old campaigns, but they've held their own. And even the likes of Devano, was second in the Classic mile, winning a class one not so long ago, yes, he was a little bit below par yesterday. I think there's a lot of encouragement, which is probably coming at a time when you look at the champions mile, perhaps, where there's a couple of doors opening for them to state their claim next year.
And Hawk, what are your thoughts on the day?
Look I think the takeaway for me is Nori Okihori. What a trainer he is. So good to see him have another winner at Chartin with Pastiero. Saddling up Sotono raved to finish second to the great Kaing Rising and I just hope that he's able to progress next weekend and I really hope that Luxor Cafe runs really well in the Kentucky Derby. He's definitely going there with a chance.
Yes, was more rare than Jackie's jumping on the plane and heading to the US and he didn't get the big one on the weekend. It was like the old days with him riding the final two winners on the program as well. came back to huge cheers.
Yeah, he did. gets a very wrong reception when he comes back these days and family Joel put in a really nice effort there actually to win in class three in the penultimate race of the day. then Joe, after peeling off from the round, family Joel decides to hug the rail on everyone's star in the final race and managed to pick the pocket of beauty glory and win by three quarters of a length. You can see he's riding in top form. Of course, he had a fantastic stint in Japan, winning three group runs in the space of four weeks. And he was as confident as ever on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (23:58.86)
And Zach actually raised 100th winner for the season hawk on the weekend as well. That might have got lost a little bit in all the other celebrations. Anything else you mentioned in the derby this weekend? What else are we looking forward to on the world stage?
Yeah, big weekend coming up. We really start to ramp up in the Northern Hemisphere with obviously the Kentucky Derby, which is going to be great to see Joe go there. And I mean, that's going to be a crazy continuation for Joe. He rode in Japan on Saturday, in, rode at Chartin on Sunday, rides at Churchill Downs on Saturday next week, but then has to get straight onto a plane and go to Sao Paulo to ride the Grand Premier Sao Paulo. Really going to be very interesting to see how he managed to do that. That's one of the big races in Brazil.
he could create, he could win all over the world, which I mean, we've become used to with him. So looking forward to that, obviously, as I 2000 Guineas, 1000 Guineas. In Australia, we've got the South Australian Derby, which is going to be a simulcast as part of Whirlpool. So the racing circus definitely continues on moving on from Hong Kong, but it's going to be very exciting to get now into the European season and also into the real heart of the three-year-old season over in the United States.
Yep, great work lads, really looking forward to heading to a Northern Hemisphere summer. We will catch up with you again next week.
you
Speaker 2 (25:19.266)
With the 2000 Guineas in mind, my guest on the Idle Horse podcast this week is Joseph O'Brien. Fascinating chat talking about his days riding the amazing horses he was associated with, his training career so far as well. Plus, he does have Scorthy Champ running in this weekend's 2000 Guineas and he does highlight a number of horses to look out for the season ahead as well.
Make sure you like, share and subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode. Follow us on the socials and head to the multi-language website as well, www.idlehorse.com to keep up to date with all the latest international racing news. That's it for this time though from me and the rest of the News Desk team. It's bye for now.