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Racing News
Yasuda Kinen 2008 - Trackwork, Thur, 5 June
5 June 2008
The Hong Kong trio for the Yasuda Kinen worked out nicely at Tokyo Racecourse on Thursday morning to the satisfaction of their respective trainers.
Good Ba Ba performed one and a half laps of cantering on the turf track with rider Sammy Hui on board.
Although the barriers will not be drawn until Friday, trainer Andreas Schutz has already singled out fellow Hong Kong contender Armada and Japanese Derby-winning filly Vodka as the strongest opponents in Sunday's race. "Of course, apart from my horse, all other horses engaged in the race are our rivals. But I would say Vodka will be the serious one, and Armada is also hard to beat as his form is improving," Schutz said.
Trainer John Size rode Armada for one and a half laps of cantering on the dirt track, before schooling him in the paddock at Tokyo Racecourse this morning.
"Though he's exercised on the dirt track today, he still responded well. He's now more accustomed to the environment here and there is nothing negative about him up to this moment," Size said.
Rider Cody Mo
gave veteran runner Bullish Luck a hit-out from the barrier, which was followed by a 600-metre gallop.
"Last year, the horse was affected by minor leg injuries. But he is fresher this year as he's just had five gallops, including a barrier trial over 1,000m two weeks before coming to Japan. He's just given 85 percent in his previous run in the Champions Mile, and I'm confident his form will improve further this time in the Yasuda Kinen," his trainer Tony Cruz said.
In addition to highly favourable opinions regarding the three Hong Kong participants, the lion's share of the attention continues to focus on three of Japan's hopefuls for Sunday's Yasuda Kinen, the final leg of the Asian Mile Challenge -- Vodka, Suzuka Phoenix and Super Hornet.
Vodka and Suzuka Phoenix were given their final fast workouts before the race, with Vodka working up the hill course at Ritto. A time of 52.8 seconds up 800 meters of heavy dirt with little urging received acclaim, as did the Derby-winning filly's condition. Carrying good weight again, Vodka looked much improved from her last run in the Victoria Mile, in which she finished second in an all-female field. Paired with new rider Yasunari Iwata, expectations are high that Vodka can show the strength she did last year in her historic Derby run.
Suzuka Phoenix clocked 52.6 seconds over the same hill course, but with strong urging. With a sharp wrap-up furlong under 13 seconds and given the condition of the ground after days of rain, opinions were high. Rider Yutaka Take, off Vodka and staying with Suzuka Phoenix for the Yasuda, acknowledged the "difficulties" of the 6-year-old's recent races. Suzuka Phoenix has failed to make the winner's circle since December, turning in a second and two third-place finishes in his last three starts. "He has the ability and the power," Take said. "And I'm looking forward to giving a Group 1 winner's interview again."