The Championships are just around the corner and as this Carnival gathers further momentum, so does the international contingent and in 2018 the overseas are well represented numbers wise.
Here at Justhorseracing, we’ve put together a preview of the key international runners that will be seen across the two meetings at Randwick.
Admire Winner
Breeding: Workforce x Song Bird
Trainer: Chris Waller
Nationality: Japanese
Career Stats: 11: 2-1-4
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1800m/2200m
Career Best Win: Handicap (2200m), March 25 2017, Chukyo, Firm Surface
Dry Track Stats: 10: 2-1-4
Wet Track Stats: 1: 0-0-0
Championships Target Race: Unknown
Short Summary: Potential there looks to be huge. Big fish to fry in the Spring.
Group ll Aoba Sho (2400m), April 29 2017, Tokyo, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
This was the Japan Derby trial taken out by Admirable, who went on to run a game third in the Derby. Admire Winner was pretty good in defeat here. Sat off the pace, didn’t really have that turn of foot but he kept battling away and pinched third, not beaten far behind a potentially high class animal. Strong effort. You’ll have to copy and paste the link below, then scroll down to April 29 to see the replay. Horse in the blue colours.
http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/schedule/graded/list/2017.html?openTab=Apr
Group ll Shimbun Kai (2400m), September 24 2017, Hanshin, Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
First up run for the prep over 2600m was just fair before racing here where he was completely unwanted in betting in what was a hot race. Unwanted, but gee I thought he ran a huge race in defeat when fifth to Rey De Oro, who went on to run second in the Japan Cup, and for mine, he comfortably sits in the top five horses in Japan so for Admire Winner to only be beaten four lengths, that’s a big tick. He is the horse in the blue colours with blue blinkers.
Final Summary: I think whatever he does this Autumn, he will improve big time on. In the Spring you could well see a potential top class animal who could easily measure up in the big races, like a Caulfield Cup.
Prestwick
Breeding: Daiwa Major x Huraxa
Trainer: Yoshinori Muto
Nationality: Japanese
Career Stats: 35: 6-4-5
Min/Max Distance Wins: 2000m/2600m
Career Best Win: Handicap (2600m), September 3 2017, Sapporo, Firm Surface
Dry Track Stats: 32: 5-4-4
Wet Track Stats: 3: 1-0-1
Championships Target Race: Sydney Cup
Short Summary: Beware the Japanese stayer.
Group ll Nippon Sho Stayers Stakes (3600m), December 2 2017, Nakayama, Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
Outstanding run from Prestwick here, running third behind Albert and Fame Game, with the latter being well known by Australian punters. Albert is a horse who I was hoping would come for the Melbourne Cup last year, and hoping maybe this year he can, because he is the best stayer at 3000m+ Japan has to offer, so for Prestwick to run third, certainly a big tick. He’s the grey horse out the back with the blue silks and red cap.
Group lll Diamond Stakes (3400m), February 17 2018, Tokyo, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
For mine, he should be a forgiven a touch. He’s a much better horse when he has something to chase and I think this day, he was left in front and exposed far too early, leaving himself a sitting shot for those behind, including Fame Game, who won the race. Stuck on really well in defeat but perhaps the 3400m just saw him out. Click on the link and then click video next to the Diamond Stakes.
http://japanracing.jp/en/racing/schedule/graded/list/2018.html?openTab=Feb
Final Summary: I can see why they are bringing him over. Probably just lacks the class/brilliance/staying prowess to win the Tenno Sho (Spring), so I think the Sydney Cup looks an ideal target. Just all depends how he travels over and settles. But on what I’ve seen with the replays and the form around him, gee it reads well.
Success Days
Breeding: Jeremy x Malaica
Trainer: Ken Condon
Nationality: Irish
Career Stats: 18: 6-4-1
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1400m/2100m
Career Best Win: Sky Bet York Stakes (2100m), July 29 2017, York, Good Surface
Dry Track Stats: 7: 1-2-0
Wet Track Stats: 11: 6-2-1
Championships Target Race: Queen Elizabeth Stakes
Short Summary: Did run second to Johannes Vermeer recently, so that ties him in very nicely for Australian punters.
Group lll Finlay Volvo International Stakes (2011m), July 2 2017, Curragh, Clockwise Direction, Good Surface
Go to 3.25 of the video for the replay. This looks golden form for Australian punters. He pushed Johannes Vermeer all the way and made the multiple Group l placegetter down under fight for the win. They gapped the rest and the form out of it has been outstanding, obviously with Johannes Vermeer, but also a couple of Group wins to come out of it.
Group ll Sky Bet York Stakes (2100m), July 29 2017, York, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
Outstanding on pace win from this horse. He was there to be beaten, he looked gone several times in the straight but he just kept finding and eventually clung on to get the win. Form out of it has been okay with a couple of subsequent wins and a couple of horses performing well at Group level.
Success Days just clings on to fend off Mondialiste and win a rousing Sky Bet York Stakes. Fast Results >>>https://t.co/aGyaMWuSD5 pic.twitter.com/MKKhBySGZQ
— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) July 29, 2017
Final Summary: This horse has since run last at his next two starts, but in saying that they were the Irish Champion Stakes and British Champion Stakes, both world class events. He’s got that awesome style of no nonsense on speed and finding tooth and nail for the win. I’ll be surprised if he didn’t measure up and run well.
