This Sunday sees the 56th running of the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen, and the trainers of the top milers from both Japan and Hong Kong are putting the finishing touches on their charges for the big race. The Hong Kong trio of Bullish Luck, Joyful Winner and The Duke have all arrived and seem in good condition, with both Joyful Winner and The Duke set to have their final serious workout on Friday (2 June). Bullish Luck has finished his fast work - he was given a jumpout from the barriers on Thursday (1 June) which trainer Tony Cruz described as "putting the final decorations on a birthday cake".
All the Japanese horses have also finished their final serious trackwork. Likely favorite for the race is Daiwa Major. He is a classic winning (Grade 1 Satsuki Sho) son of Sunday Silence who has been competitive against many of the best milers in Japan in the past year, and with popular jockey Katsumi Ando on board, and track conditions expected to favor the on pace runners, he will definitely be popular with Japanese punters. With Ando riding, he did his last fast work on Wednesday, running his last 600m in 35.3 seconds with a final furlong of 11.6.
Another contender for favoritism is Orewa Matteruze. He has had a very smooth lead up to this race, winning the only spring Sprint Grade 1, the Takamatsunomiya Kinen over 1200m in March, before a dominant win in the traditional lead up for this race, the Grade 2 Keio Hai Spring Cup over 1400m at Tokyo at his last start. Like Daiwa Major, he also races on the pace which is looking to be a distinct advantage on Sunday. He had a very similar workout to what he had done before his last race, finishing an 800m gallop in 51.2 seconds, with the final furlong in 13.0.
Rounding out the top 3 favorites will be the mare Dance in the Mood. A top class mare who has been competitive against the males at Grade 1 level, finishing 2nd and 3rd at this course in the 2000m Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) in 2004 & 2005 respectively, she showed she was back to her best winning the inaugural Grade 1 Victoria Mile against Japan's top fillies and mares over exactly the same course as the Yasuda Kinen last start. She may need some luck in running, but she is in great shape for top trainer Kazuo Fujisawa who during the week hinted at a trip to the US for the mare in July if she performs on Sunday. She followed 2 track partners in a 1000m gallop in 68.3 seconds, and when asked to quicken in the last 100m she put in a final furlong time of 12.9 seconds, finishing in a line with her 2 partners.
Veteran 7yo miler Telegnosis is likely to be next in the betting with the 2 favored Hong Kong runners Bullish Luck and Joyful Winner. Telegnosis is now a 7yo, but he has a great record at the Tokyo track, winning 5 races and finishing 2nd 4 times there. The timing of the Yasuda Kinen is always difficult for him however, with the rail being moved in, and this year that is the case once again. One difference is that champion Japanese jockey Yutaka Take will be taking the ride this time after telling the owners (Shadai) that he had always wanted to ride the horse. The horse has the ability to win this race, but his fate is likely to depend on Take's ability to weave a course through the field. He is in great shape however, showing no signs of ageing, finishing a 1000m gallop in 65.5 seconds, and a final furlong of 11.8 seconds under a strong hold.
Company is emerging as one of Japan's best middle distance horses, and will no doubt finish on very well in this race, but the current Tokyo track may make it difficult for him to improve on his 5th in this race last year. He is working well on the track though, with a quick 51. 6 seconds up the 800m woodchip hill at Ritto Training Center, finishing with a final 200m of 12.8 with a little in reserve.
Incentive Guy is a promising 5yo by End Sweep who will be in the market due to a fast finishing 2nd behind Orewa Matteruze last start in the traditional lead up race to the Yasuda Kinen, the Grade 2 Keio Hai Spring Cup over 1400m at Tokyo.
Asakusa Den'en is the defending champion here after beating Sweep Tosho and Silent Witness last year, and although he is not likely to be favoured by the Japanese fans after his disappointing result in Dubai (finishing a distant last after serious interference on the final turn), he loves this track, and his final workout showed that he may be back to his brilliant best. Following his trackwork partner throughout the gallop, he came home in 11.8 seconds when asked for an effort in the last furlong, putting 2 lengths on his partner.
The likely leader in the race is former champion 2yo Meisho Bowler, who looks to have a better chance than his recent form suggests. If he starts with the field, he will go quickly in the early stages, and with the track as it is, he may not stop as quickly as he has in recent starts. Coming back to turf after a long absence, he certainly adds another difficult variable to the race. He showed he was in good order too, with an 800m workout on Thursday run in 55.5 seconds, including a last 200m in 12.2 without fully extending.
Balance of Game is another who is likely to vie for the early lead, and he has a great record first up. Again the track will suit, and he is jumping out of his skin - even though he is now a 7yo. He did a 1000m gallop in 63.7 seconds on Wednesday, finishing in 12.7 seconds under a tight hold.
Grand Lodge entire Symboli Gran has shown glimpses of Grade 1 ability, but has not had much luck in recent starts. Take has chosen to ride Telegnosis instead this time, so Symboli Gran will not be heavily supported by the Japanese fans, but if the pace is on up front, he can be competitive. His trackwork time could not be recorded due to a timing malfunction, but he impressed everyone watching, showing he is still in great shape.
Eishin Dover is facing a huge jump in class here, but he showed that he was in good condition in his Wednesday workout, finishing his 800m gallop in 12.0 seconds.
Great Journey struggle to get past his trackwork partner in his Wednesday work, although they did run their last 200m in 11.6 seconds (in an overall 1200m gallop of 80.1 seconds). He is a Grade winner, but this is a much tougher assignment.
Lohengrin at his best would be a great chance here, especially with the track as it is, but he is completely out of form, and recently has not been able to lead even if he tries. He took 13.4 seconds to run his last 200m in a 1200m gallop of 81.2 seconds.
Fuji Silence has a big finish, but again this is a huge ask for him. He is in good condition though, running up the 800m woodchip course in 51.8 seconds (final 200m in 12.3) without being asked for an effort.
Even though he finished 2nd to Hat Trick in the Hong Kong Mile in December, The Duke from Hong Kong is likely to be one of the least favored runners here. However he is still sure to have supporters, as if he can race on the pace, the son of Danehill definitely does appear to have a chance.
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