2006 News
June 4, 2006
THE 56TH YASUDA KINEN (GI)
Sunday, June 4, 2006
RESULT OF THE 56TH YASUDA KINEN (GI)
Third favorite BULLISH LUCK from Hong Kong, partnered with Brett Prebble, exerted a strong finish to capture this year's YASUDA KINEN to acquire US$1 million bonus for winning two legs of the ASIAN MILE CHALLENGE. Coming in second was last year's defending champion ASAKUSA DEN'EN, and merely a nose behind in third was another raider from Hong Kong, JOYFUL WINNER ridden by Darren Beadman.
The race broke smoothly with MEISHO BOWLER rushing to take the front, with second pick DAIWA MAJOR stalking right behind on the inside. BULLISH LUCK made a good start and hugged the rail in midfield around 10th position. Tenth favorite ASAKUSA DEN'EN settled third from last, while eighth pick JOYFUL WINNER traveled wide around fourth from the rear and gradually moved forward through the backstretch.
As the field spread wide around the last corner, Brett Prebble steered BULLISH LUCK between horses altering his course to the outside, and the bay gelding, responding well to the jockey's urgings, slipped out of the pack in the last 200 meters and accelerated straight for the goal to a 2-1/2-length victory. JOYFUL WINNER, turning wide around the last corner, inched forward with tenacity and drew even with ASKUSA DEN'EN after the 100-meter line. After a fierce rally in the last 50 meters, however, ASAKUSA DEN'EN nosed out just before the wire to capture the runner-up position. Race favorite OREWA MATTERUZE was first out of the gate but after dropping behind from the front group in the early stages, failed to threaten.
Jockey Darren Beadman who mounted JOYFUL WINNER commented: "It was a lovely ride. He sprinted well on the rise at the stretch, but couldn't keep up with the winner." Trainer J. Moore also said: "We came to win and he closed off really well, but the other horse was too good on the day. It was a great day for Hong Kong."
Fifteenth choice THE DUKE from Hong Kong traveled two wide in midfield around 8th position, steered to the outside after the last corner but failed to respond in the homestretch to finish 15th. "I couldn't settle him in good position during the race. He might have still been a bit tired," commented Jockey Dwayne Dunn.
Comments from the winning connections:
Mr. Wing Keung Wong (Owner)
I am overwhelmed to have won today. I came with much confidence but the fact that the weather held was probably one of the key factors as the horse is best on a very fast going. I would like to thank the fans who came all the way from Hong Kong to root for my horse and also to the Japanese fans who gave us much support.
Mr. Anthony Cruz (Trainer)
As I have been saying ever since coming here, Bullish Luck came to Japan a better horse than last year, fit and ready. Last year, he was boxed in before the straight and had to be steadied-if you have to pull him before the straight then you've already lost the race-but even then he closed in and finished fourth and I think he could have won if not for the disadvantage. This year, I will not express it as taking revenge, but I sincerely thank the JRA for giving us a second chance to prove that he is the best horse. He was better in every way-a better traveler and better in character, etc-and the feedback that I got from this horse during training and at the paddock, watching him in the parade ring gave me all the more confidence in this horse. He is definitely first in line for this season's Horse of the Year with an international GI title to his name.
I have won many GI races in Europe and other countries around the world as a jockey and I intend to pursue the same as a trainer. I think that this is what racing is all about-not just by winning the local races but going out into the world and win, and I hope that in the near future I will go to Europe too.
I thank the JRA for giving us this opportunity to come. At this stage if he stays healthy, I would love to come back here again next year.
Mr. Brett Prebble (Jockey)
First I would like to thank the owners and Tony the trainer for giving me the chance to ride Bullish Luck. I am honored that Tony picked me to ride this horse-he's an easy ride. The race turned out to be a soft run and Bullish Luck came to the front a little too soon as there was only about six lengths from the leader coming into the straight. With nothing to chase, he tends to stop there with nothing left but he has an explosive turn of foot and he would have finished even stronger if there was someone in front. Riding in Japan four times, I have the impression of racing in Japan from a jockey's stand point as being polite and not much crowding in, safe racing where nine out of ten, the best horse can win. I would love to have more chances to ride here if the opportunity arises.
