June 1, 2006 (Thursday)
<at Tokyo Racecourse>
BULLISH LUCK (USA, g7. bay)
Q: Coming here after his second Champions Mile victory in Hong Kong, can you tell us about his present form?
A: He's in great shape; he's fit and ready for this race. It's a shame that his stable partner, Silent Witness was unable to come after jarring both his fetlock joints after his last race, but I'm sure that Bullish Luck, though he ran into trouble last year in this race, will be able to give a good show this time around.
Q: What would be his strong points?
A: First of all he loves that going here-here in Japan, the going with the speed over 1600 meter being probably the fastest in the world-Bullish Luck is made for this course and the right type of horse for this race.
Q: You used the starting gate in your training today...
A: Yes, well Bullish Luck is a very lazy type of horse, and while back home he gallops with the top horses in our stable like Silent Witness, he can't make him gallop on his own. Last year he had Silent Witness to gallop with him, but being alone here this time we used the starting game to give him a good jump start and a gallop just to sharpen him up, because he's done all work back home in Hong Kong. Tomorrow, he'll just do a slow canter over two laps.
Q: You seem to have a very good relationship with your jockey, Brett Prebble...
A: Well I, being a jockey myself know how it feels and there is no need to give instructions on how you should ride Bullish Luck because he knows the horse well. All I would say is that "You know how he ran last year when he started from way outside and got boxed in at the straight". If I were a jockey I would imagine myself starting hopefully from stall 1 to 7 and from no matter how far back he'll be right up there at the finish."
(All Comments taken from Anthony Cruz)
JOYFUL WINNER (AUS, g6. bay)
Q: Can you brief us on his progress since coming to Japan?
A: Well, he was off his feed for 3 or 4 days after arriving in Japan and lost an odd 20lbs., getting us a bit worried. But he overcame that-his appetite returning-and settled into his new environment. He is now back to an odd 1050lb. and the riding boy has reported that he is training well. I've seen the horse leisurely cantering over two laps on the dirt this morning and I'm happy with how he is.
Q: Your first time being here in Japan, what is your impression on the track surface at Tokyo Racecourse?
A: I walked the last 600 meters on the turf-I heard that with a good amount of rain that you've had over the Derby week-end, the inside track seemed a little damaged compared to the outside, but with the recent fine weather, the grass should quickly grow back to a good condition. I'll have to hear what Darren Beadman has to say when he rides Joyful Winner tomorrow over the turf. Joyful Winner should be able to handle the surface though.
Q: How would you assess his performance in his latest start?
A: Well, I had imagined he would follow Bullish Luck throughout but Joyful Winner's jockey, Shane Dye decided to keep him in the inside and with a wall of horses in front, had to change his course a few times which didn't allow the gelding to run his race in the fashion that he usually is best at.
Q: How did you come to ask Darren Beadman to ride Joyful Winner in the Yasuda Kinen?
A: Well, to put the record straight, I had originally asked Christophe Soumillon to ride him because I knew that he was well accustomed to racing in Japan but he was unavailable with commitments to ride in the French Derby at Chantilly, so I decided Darren, who is also a personal friend and well knowledgeable about races in Japan would be a perfect substitute.
Q: Looking at his recent performances, Joyful Winner seems to be in a rising form. How would you assess his current condition?
A: Yes I would say that if he was still in Hong Kong now, he would still be at his peak. But with the traveling and getting accustomed to his new surroundings, you have to make some reservations in that regard. I also know that the Japanese horses are not to be underestimated with high level performances in Dubai, Europe and America, but I believe that Joyful Winner having overcome his set-back and with a hell of a leg to close off the race in the last 400 meters, will give good show and hopefully bring home some stakes money.
(All comments taken from John Moore)
THE DUKE (AUS, g7. bay)
Q: Can you give us your view on his current condition?
A: Well he lost about 20lbs upon arriving here, but he's put that back on. I can't say that he's at his peak but his condition is good. Coming here has given the horse the experience of racing overseas-I myself have gone to Singapore with another horse a few weeks ago but it's my first time here in Japan and I'm very happy as I love Japan. The facility here at Tokyo Racecourse is great and having walked over the turf track, I think The Duke should handle the surface well as he's a versatile horse that can go on any tracks, wet or fast which I think is important when bringing a horse overseas because you never know what the weather is going to be like.
Q: Which horse would be your key opponent?
A: Hat Trick who beat us in December in the Hong Kong Mile (G1) is naturally a horse to watch but the other two horses from Hong Kong are also strong candidates.
Q: Can you look back on his latest start in Sha Tin?
A: Well it was a very disappointing race where he was tried over a very testing ground carrying 135lbs. but he pulled up maintaining a good attitude and with a good appetite. He's been consistent and he's a very honest horse, so I'm hoping he'll be well up to giving a good race on Sunday.
(Comments above taken from Caspar Fownes)
Q: It is your first time in Japan. What is your impression on Japanese racing?
A: From what I've seen, the racing here is of high quality, clean racing and a wide track with a good opportunity for all horses.
Q: How do you imagine yourself in this race?
A: Hopefully from a good draw, he'll race in mid-field or a little further back if from an outside draw. He has a strong late run.
(Comments above taken from Dwayne Dunn)
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