View Full Version : 2008 Yasuda Kinen
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Good Ba Ba clears Japan hurdles
Jockey and feed problems solved to leave HK miler primed for Yasuda challenge
ALAN AITKEN
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A trip to the Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo for the world's joint top-rated miler, Good Ba Ba, has lurched from most unlikely to extremely likely - all in a day.
The trip had been in doubt with the possibility jockey Olivier Doleuze would not be allowed to enter Japan, due to his cocaine positive five years ago, and his tribulations regarding a vitamin tonic this week further complicated the situation until he was unconditionally cleared by the Jockey Club.
But no sooner had trainer Andreas Schutz received indications that Doleuze's visa would be issued in the coming days than a foot and mouth disease ban on Good Ba Ba's regular feed from England became a new hurdle.
"We have built a high international profile with this horse this season and it was unacceptable to expect him to go and compete there at a disadvantage," Schutz said yesterday.
"I didn't want to use the Japanese feed and that would have meant only feeding him on oats and carrots - it's like saying to a runner he can race in the marathon but he could only do it on a diet of French fries," he said.
A foot and mouth scare in the UK in August last year had seen an international ban on certain farm products from England, but those bans were lifted in December 31 and the country declared free of foot and mouth again in February. However, the Japanese authorities contended that Good Ba Ba's feed was still banned from importation. But an e-mail from the Japan Racing Association yesterday afternoon confirmed that the UK was now considered officially free of the disease and that Good Ba Ba's feed would be allowed.
"Things have dramatically changed with that e-mail and I am much happier now than I had been. Before this, there was only a slim chance he would go - now there is only a slim chance he will not go," Schutz said.
"I have been to Japan with horses five times before and the usual situation is that the horse arrives before the feed - which means feeding him oats and carrots only for a few days, as we did last year.
"The feed has to be imported from my source by the Japanese, you cannot bring it yourself. Now that it has been approved, Good Ba Ba's feed will arrive a day or so after he does, which is acceptable."
The situation had some echoes of "Prawngate" in 2001, when Japanese authorities initially banned a Yasuda Kinen defence by Hong Kong's Fairy King Prawn, then the world's top rated sprinter miler, due to a foot and mouth disease crisis in the UK.
After fierce lobbying by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and trainer Ivan Allan, the issue was eventually overcome and Fairy King Prawn took his place in the race, finishing ninth.
:) "The horse himself is in great shape," Schutz reported.
Good Ba Ba chases US$1m bonus in Yasuda Kinen
27 May 2008
Good Ba Ba is in line for one of the richest prizes in world horseracing should he prove successful in the Yasuda Kinen, the fourth and final leg of the Asian Mile Challenge, on 8 June in Japan. Hong Kong's outstanding miler will collect a bonus of US$1m for a second AMC victory having been so impressive in capturing the Champions Mile, the series' third leg at Sha Tin, on 27 April. Victory in both races will amount to earnings of approximately US$2.43m. Triumph in Tokyo will also guarantee Good Ba Ba a place in racing folklore by emulating the feat of his Hong Kong rival Bullish Luck who also netted the US$1m bonus for winning the same two races in 2006.
Yasuda Kinen glory would take Good Ba Ba's career bankroll to almost HK$47m - a handsome dividend on the initial outlay of HK$1.7m by owner John Yuen Se-kit for the son of Lear Fan at the 2004 Hong Kong International Sale - and into the top five of all time stakes winners locally.
Just as significantly, he is also striving to become the first local horse to win five consecutive Gr.1 races in the same year, including three at international level.
Good Ba Ba produced the most impressive victory of his career in the Champions Mile when he defeated fellow HK-based Yasuda Kinen aspirants, Armada and Bullish Luck, with rare ease.
It was Good Ba Ba's fifth straight win and a fourth at Gr.1 level having previously landed the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile, Citi Stewards' Cup, Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup. It also accorded him the status of Leading Turf Miler in the latest World's Leading Horses published at the start of the month.
On mark of 122, Good Ba Ba is rated the equal of Weekend Hussler, the six-time Gr.1 winner between 1200m and 1600m in Australia last season, and rated above dual 2000 Guineas champion Henrythenavigator (121), Breeders' Cup Mile hero Kip Deville (120) and Jay Peg (120), triumphant in both the Dubai Duty Free and Singapore Airlines International Cup.
It is impossible to argue Good Ba Ba's level of form in this all-conquering campaign. His defeat of Creachadoir in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile has been endorsed with the latter horse winning the Gr.1 Lockinge Stakes in England recently. Third home last December, Darjina, has subsequently finished second in both the Gr.1 Dubai Duty Free and Gr.1 Prix d'Ispahan.
But perhaps Good Ba Ba's greatest scalp came in March when he foiled Sacred Kingdom, the top-ranked active turf performer and outstanding sprinter, in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400m.
Good Ba Ba, Armada and Bullish Luck depart for Yasuda Kinen mission
28 May 2008
Good Ba Ba, Armada and Bullish Luck departed for Japan on Tuesday (27 May) night to represent Hong Kong in the Yasuda Kinen.
The Yasuda Kinen(Gr1-1600m), the final leg of the Asian Mile Challenge, will be run on Sunday 8 June 2008 at Tokyo Racecourse.
Good Ba Ba, Armada and Bullish Luck, ran first, second and third respectively in the Champions Mile, the third leg of the Asian Mile Challenge, on Sunday 27 April. Good Ba Bawill bid for a US$1m bonus for winning two legs in the series.
Since May 1994 when Winning Partners took part in the Yasuda Kinen, local horses have run in this Japanese top mile race a total of 19 times, achieving considerable success. Fairy King Prawn became the first Hong Kong-trained horse to grab the title in the Yasuda Kinen in 2000 and was followed by Bullish Luck in 2006. In addition, Oriental Express ran second in 1998 while the great Silent Witness and Joyful Winner finished third in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
http://japanracing.jp/yasuda/index.html
heres the replay from 2007
Able One was entered in this...Daiwa Major runs down Kongo ( the flashy bay)
Focus on some of the leading Japanese runners for Yasuda Kinen 2008 - Yasuda Kinen Preview
3 June 2008
Hong Kong racing fans won't need much reminding about the abilities of Good Ba Ba, Armada and Bullish Luck as the trio enter this Sunday's Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo, so an introduction and/or reminder as to the potency of some of the leading home-based candidates is in order.
Japanese horses are always very difficult to beat on their own home turf and history shows they have proved just as powerful in Hong Kong over the past decade or so.
A full field of 18 is expected for the final leg of the Asian Mile Challenge worth US$2m and one of the strongest home hopes will be Super Hornet, coming off a solid win in the Keio Hai Spring Cup.
The 1400m of his most recent victory probably suits him best, but he held his own in last year's Mile Championship when finishing a close second to Daiwa Major, last season's Yasuda Kinen winner. His failure to perform in the Takamatsunomiya Memorial in March could be written off to the sharpness of the Chukyo 1200m circuit and the fact that he had just gotten over a fever. He is unlikely to come up against traffic problems at spacious Tokyo and, most importantly, Super Hornet seems to be on the upgrade.
Looking elsewhere, Vodka can't be ignored. Evidently, getting her back in shape following her trip to Dubai where she was a fine fourth to Jay Peg presented its challenges - she tipped the scales at a relatively slight 1050lbs in the Victoria Mile, but is reportedly regaining condition. Although she was unable to catch the winner in the latter G1, she did run on well for second. And, of course, she has posted other exceptional Tokyo runs, most notably a famous Derby win last year and a fourth-place finish in the Japan Cup.
Suzuka Phoenix captured the Takamatsunomiya Memorial in 2007, but bad beginnings in that race again this year and in his last outing raise doubts as to his chances of success in the Yasuda. Still, coming from the far outside last start, he was able to cover the final 3 furlongs in under 33 seconds. He may be better suited to 1,200-1,400 metres but is not misplaced in the mile and may yet improve upon his fifth in this race last year.
Air Shady looked to be the real thing after his impressive win in a G2 on his penultimate start, but his inability to move up in the final stages in the Nakayama Memorial is a cause for concern. Still, he has an excellent track record at Tokyo (quinella finishes eight of 10 starts there), and cannot be discounted too readily.
Yasuda Kinen 2008 - Trackwork Notes, Tues, 3 June
3 June 2008
The big news on Tuesday morning regarding the trackwork for the Yasuda Kinen 2008 concerned the reported withdrawal of one of the leading Japanese hopes, Company, from the line-up.
An eye injury is said to be behind this significant defection and his possible absence will no doubt strengthen the chances of the Hong Kong runners Good Ba Ba, Armada and Bullish Luck, all of whom travelled to Tokyo Racecourse on Tuesday from their quarantine facilities east of Tokyo. Confirmation of the withdrawal of Company is expected on Thursday when declarations are published.
The three envoys from Sha Tin have reportedly settled in very well in Japan and Bullish Luck had an easy gallop on Monday after a 1000m hit-out on dirt a day earlier to the satisfaction of work rider Cody Mo.
Tokyo has entered the rainy season early this year but the long-term forecast for the remainder of the week seems to point towards a track that should ride no slower than good.
Armada, runner-up in the Champions Mile, was due to perform fast work on Wednesday having completed light laps on Sunday and Monday.
Andreas Schutz, meanwhile, trainer of the leading Hong Kong chance, Good Ba Ba, said his six-year-old star would likely to stick to work on the turf track at Fuchu with breezes slated for Wednesday and Friday morning.
Among the locals, both Suzuka Phoenix and Derby-winning filly Vodka are said to be looking good, improved from their previous starts. Vodka, whose lighter-than-normal bodyweight had been cause for concern, has regained condition in the past week or so.
Elsewhere, trainer Yoshito Yahagi, responsible for perhaps the leading home-based runner Super Hornet, is confident his five-year-old is the one to beat.
"As Japan's number one representative, we want to beat the Hong Kong horses," he trumpeted.
"He has become more muscled and powerful in the past year and he has never been better," Yahagi added of his runner-up in the Mile Championship last November.
Super Hornet's previous inability to weather the haul from Ritto training center to Tokyo is no longer a factor as his solid win in the May 17 Keio Hai Spring Cup at the Fuchu circuit indicates.
Taking no chances, however, Yahagi has kept Super Hornet training at the Miho training center near Tokyo following the Keio. Cutting transport time to a fraction of what it takes from his home base at Ritto is a strategy that can only pay off on race day, the trainer concluded.
Yasuda Kinen 2008 Form Comments
5 June 2008
Air Shady
Contesting only the second G1 race of his career - the first was in this event a year ago and he could only finish 16th behind Daiwa Major. A multiple Stakes winner, however, he has won or placed in his last four starts: won a Gr.2 on penultimate outing over 2200m and recently 3rd in the Nakayama Kinen over 1800m. Still, it should be noted that he entered last year's Yasuda Kinen with a similar record and flopped; suspicion also remains that he may be better over a touch further. Loves fast going.
Armada
Last season's Champion Miler having won the Stewards' Cup after a narrow reverse in the CX HK Mile. Returned in March after a layoff of for a year (reportedly off-colour and inappetent) and decisive Chairman's Trophy winner on second run back. Outclassed by Good Ba Ba in the Champions Mile but may still be capable of better on his first test outside HK and on a left-handed circuit. Best on fast ground and usually positions forward of midfield.
Bullish Luck
Five-time Gr.1 winner in the twilight of his career but still capable of packing a punch as evidenced by his 3Ls romp in the Centenary Vase on handicap terms in February; also placed 3rd in the Champions Mile behind rivals Good Ba Ba and Armada on April 27. Making his third start in a race he romped away with in 2006 and placed 4th a year earlier. He has not finished better than 3rd in his last six Gr.1 tests. Waited with and acts on any ground.
Dragon Welds
Ran 5th in the G1 NHK Mile Cup for 3yos in 2006 and this will be only his second time to take part at the highest level. Consistent in lesser grades last year and flashes of good form since making the step-up to Group races such as when 3rd in the G2 Swan Stakes and 2nd in a G3 on penultimate test. Most recent performance, however, when 10th in the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup was not the kind of trial one would expect from a Yasuda Kinen champion in waiting. A minor share of the prize may be the height of his ambitions. Best form when close to the speed and on sound surfaces.
Dream Journey
Dream Journey has largely failed to deliver on the huge promise he showed when Japan's Champion Juvenile in 2006. It hasn't been decline all the way since - he won the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai over 2400m last September - but finishing 14th in the Milers Cup last start does not bode well for a reversal of fortune anytime soon. Waited with and only raced on firm ground.
Eishin Dover
Very consistent miler who set a track record here in last year's G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) before finishing a creditable sixth in the G1 Yasuda Kinen last year. He also ran 12th in this race in 2006. He returned later last year in the Mile Championship in November to finish 7th and winless in his four subsequent appearances, none of which were at G1 level. Decent run last time, nevertheless, producing a strong burst from the tail of the field to run 3rd in the Milers Cup. Acts best on top of the ground.
Good Ba Ba
Striving to become the first HK horse to win five consecutive Gr.1 races in the same year, including three at international level after a quite remarkable season; a tenacious victory in the CX HK Mile was followed by an easier success in the Citi Stewards' Cup, a solid Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup triumph and a career best in the Champions Mile from fellow HK raiders Armada and Bullish Luck. Finished 7th in this event last season but clearly much better this season and has just two defeats under ten Olivier Doleuze rides to date; settles in rear for a strong late kick; best on fast ground.
Higher Game
A 3rd place in the 2004 Japanese Derby is the best Higher Game has to show for seven G1 attempts to date and both Graded wins have come over 1800m and further. Sidelined for 18 months after a tendon injury in 2006 and he has not been far away in his last three starts without quite managing to place. Even so, it would be a major surprise if he were to prevail on Sunday.
He's flexible in terms of racing patterns and is best on good ground or faster.
I'll Love Again
Six-year-old better known for his prowess over slightly shorter trips; unraced over a mile for 18 months when 5th in an upper class stakes race. He did, however, run 3rd in the NHK Mile for 3yos only in 2005. This is only his second attempt in a Gr.1 for all ages (ran 3rd in last year's Sprinters Stakes) but enters the race in good heart having run 4th in the G2 Keio Hai over 1400m in May. Usually races forward of midfield and no ground concerns.
Jolly Dance
Excellent effort to run 3rd in this race last year behind Daiwa Major and Kongo Rikishio and also a good 2nd in the Hanshin Cup (G2) over 1400m at the end of last year. She has failed to quite reach that standard in three runs to date this year and three weeks ago ran 7th in the Victoria Mile for fillies and mares at this C&D. Settles midfield or slightly better and loves fast ground.
Kiss to Heaven
Winless since 2006 G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) over 1600m; having had a lean season last year, this mare's level of consistency has picked up in recent times. Twice 3rd in G3 races before finishing fourth in the G2 Hanshin Himba Stakes in April, she fought on very well to finish 2nd against male rivals in the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup in May last time out. She is best suited being covered up in midfield over a mile; adaptable to any surface.
Kongo Rikishio
Made the running in this race last year and was run down close home by the top class Daiwa Major. Also travelled to Hong Kong for the CXHK Mile and again made the gallop but wilted inside the final furlong to finish 7Ls behind Good Ba Ba in 9th place. He has been disappointing since, notwithstanding one success at G3 NRA level on the dirt two runs ago. Ridden with unusual restraint last time, he raced disappointingly also at NRA level. Has plenty to prove on current form and likely to revert to front-running tactics.
Nishino Manamusume
Improving 4yo mare; raced from third position and tired late to run 5th in her G1 debut last start in the Victoria Mile at this C&D. Immediately prior, she fought on very well to be beaten a neck by widely fancied Company in the G2 Milers Cup in April. Best on fast ground and another forward showing can be expected.
Ocean Apes
Making his G1 debut; progressed nicely through the ranks late last year, winning three straight and won second up this term in Australia Trophy (Listed) on April 26. Majority of his races to date have been over further than a mile and there must be question marks surrounding his ability to cope with a field of this quality. Races held up and solely tested on dry tracks.
Pink Cameo
Dramatic winner of last year's G1 NHK Mile Cup but unplaced in nine subsequent appearances, including three very lackluster efforts (finished 14th on each occasion) between Feb and April. Some signs of a revival when making the running to eventually place 6th in the Victoria Mile three weeks ago, but a colossal upswing in form is required if she is to get involved in this much harder mission. May position forward again and no ground issues.
Super Hornet
Disappointed in 11th in last year's Yasuda Kinen, but returned to top form in the autumn, winning Listed and G2 races and then finishing a neck second to Daiwa Major in the Mile Championship. Came back after a spell to run well over too sharp a trip (1200m) in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen and completed the final 600m of the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) in 33 seconds. One of the main Japanese protagonists and usually ridden from the tail of the field. Adaptable in terms of underfoot conditions.
Suzuka Phoenix
High class, ultra-consistent sprinter-miler who ran 5th in the Yasuda Kinen of 2007 and has not finished out of the money since running a close 3rd in the Mile Championship last November - five runs ago. He started very badly in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m, which he won a year prior) in March, but clocked an amazing 32.7 seconds for his final 600m sectional to come 3rd. Also placed 3rd in the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup over 1400m last time out. Likely to attack from around midfield, copes with any ground but he's best on quick tracks.
Vodka
Without a win since her historic victory last year Japanese Derby when she became the first filly to win the race for 63 years, but that's not to say she hasn't been performing to a very high level of late. Ran 4th in the Japan Cup late last year and filled the same slot behind Jay Peg in the Dubai Duty Free having led at the furlong pole after a wider passage than ideal. Narrowly beaten on her return to Japan at this C&D in the Victoria Mile (for fillies/mares) last time out to uphold a terrific record over 1600m - four wins and twice 2nd - and she has to be viewed as one of the leading home-based hopes. She has only raced on good or fast ground and positions midfield or better.
Ocean Apes...from memory he was super smart as a young horse...no surprise to see him eventually make his way into a good field. I thought I might have started up a thread about him but doesnt look as though I did. One on Vodka though...she will be thereabouts but probably not quite up to this level...not far off it though. Might be worth keeping a close eye on Ocean Apes.
I rec they`d need to be good to beat the Baba this time - he`s improved a lot this season .
Wouldnt mind flying over & getting the odds from the local tote which should be ok ?
Just for value i might back a couple of Jap horses on the HK tote - they should be overs there.
2008 News
June 8, 2008
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Vodka back to her best in the Yasuda Kinen!
In the final leg of the 2008 Asian Mile Challenge, the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen run today at Tokyo Racecourse, 2007 Derby winning Japanese filly Vodka broke through for her first win in over a year with a devastating performance to win by 3 -1/2 lengths.
Jockey Yasunari Iwata was riding Vodka for the first time as previous jockey Yutaka Take was booked to ride Suzuka Phoenix in the race. He rode the horse perfectly on a track that had been favorable to leaders and horses on the inside, as he pushed her out of the gates to settle down just behind the leaders. In an interview after the race, he explained he had been willing to lead if necessary, but expected leader Kongo Rikishio was pushed along to keep the lead, and Vodka settled in behind him in 3rd or 4th position. Top Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte pushed Hong Kong galloper Armada in the early stages to get across from barrier 16 and sit outside the leader, while outsider Jolly Dance sat outside Vodka.
As the field entered the final straight, Kongo Rikishio still had a handy lead, and Whyte was getting anxious on Armada, pushing him along to try and catch the leader. But when Iwata pulled Vodka around the heels of the leader with about 300m to go, she shot away from the field to open a break of around 4 lengths, and the race was all over. Armada got past Kongo Rikishio who battled on well, and Air Shady and Suzuka Phoenix were making up plenty of ground on the outside of the track, but in the final 100m outsider Eishin Dover poked through the center of the field to grab 3rd behind Armada who fought on very well for 2nd.
Vodka was 3-1/2 lengths ahead of Armada at the finish, and she passed the line in a time of 1:32.7. Air Shady grabbed 4th ahead of Suzuka Phoenix and early leader Kongo Rikishio finished 6th. 2006 winner Bullish Luck ran about in the straight (he finished 14th) which seemed to cause a few problems for other runners including the favored Good Ba Ba and Super Hornet, with Good Ba Ba eventually being pulled up 2nd last. Super Hornet finished on fairly for 8th which could be considered a respectable result after missing the start and experiencing some interference in the straight, but the day belonged to Vodka.
Vodka was bred by owner Yuzo Tanimizu at his Country Bokujo, and is trained by top Japanese trainer Katsuhiko Sumii.
Gloryfication
03-11-2008, 09:07
It is worth the journey.
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