Global Sprint Challenge leader Scenic Blast arrives safely for Sprinters Stakes (G1)

Scenic Blast

Scenic Blast, the outright leader in the 2009 Global Sprint Challenge point rankings, arrived to Japan on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and was transported to JRA Horseracing School Quarantine Center to prepare for the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes, the sixth leg of the Global Sprint Challenge to be held at Nakayama Racecourse on Oct. 4.

The 5-year-old Australian gelding landed at Narita Airport on Wednesday morning and arrived at the quarantine center at 1:07 p.m, completing a 15-hour trip from London. On Thursday morning, Scenic Blast had light exercise on the 1,400-meter track at the Horseracing School.

"His condition is very good. He has adjusted well to the change in environment," trainer Daniel Morton said on Thursday. "He only went through the motions today, but depending on his condition, we will gradually pick up the pace of his training. We plan to run a strong canter on Sunday (Sept. 27)."

With 32 points collected over three races, Scenic Blast currently holds a 17-point lead over Fleeting Spirit in the 2009 Global Sprint Challenge, an eight-race series held in four countries.

Much will be at stake for Scenic Blast in the Sprinters Stakes. With a win at Nakayama Racecourse, Scenic Blast will be eligible for the USD 1,000,000 bonus ($750,000 to the owner, $250,000 to the trainer) given to a horse with three Group One Challenge leg wins in any three different countries. Scenic Blast won the first two races of the series - the Group 1 Coolmore Lightning Stakes in January at Flemington (Australia) and King's Stand Stakes in June at Royal Ascot (UK), both held over 5 furlongs.

Currently, the Japanese leader in the standings is Ultima Thule with 10 points. The 5-year-old mare by Fuji Kiseki won the fifth-leg Centaur Stakes - a prep race for the Sprinters Stakes - at Hanshin Racecourse on Sept. 13.

The Sprinters Stakes will be held over 1,200 meters at Nakayama Racecourse with a total purse of 202,350,000 yen, of which 95 million will be awarded to the winner.

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