Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of the Japanese Racing Association
There was a host of quality racing throughout Asia on the weekend, with the main attraction being the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity for 2-year-olds at Hanshin in Japan.
The favourite for the 1600-metre feature was the impeccably bred colt Dolce More (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), who was looking to maintain his unbeaten record.
Handled by Ryusei Sakai, who spent time riding in Australia, the Naosuke Sugai-trained juvenile enjoyed a lovely run behind the speed, before powering home to win by a neck. The fast-finishing Danon Touchdown (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who is a half-brother to Danon The Kid (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), winner of the 2020 G1 Hopeful S. (G1) and runner-up to Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the recent G1 Hong Kong Cup, was second, with Labeling (GB) (Frankel {GB}) rounding out the top three. That trio is likely to renew acquaintances in next year’s Japanese Classics.
“It all went as planned with the trainer, just as I had pictured. I expected the pace to be fast since there were runners coming off short-distance races. My colt ran in a good position and responded and held on well,” Sakai explained.
Sugai added: “He doesn't have any bad habits and he's quite a serious horse that can race well.”
“He (Dolce More) doesn't have any bad habits and he's quite a serious horse that can race well.” - Naosuke Sugai
Bred by Shimokobe Farm, Dolce More has a beautiful pedigree. He is out of the 2013 G1 Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas) winner Ayusan (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), and his sire is responsible for top-level winners in Japan and Australia, including Mer De Glace (Jpn), the 2015 G1 Caulfield Cup hero.
Meanwhile, the Listed December S. (1600 metres) at Nakayama in Japan was taken out by Shonan Magma (Jpn) (The Factor {USA}), who was piloted to victory by star Italian jockey Mirco Demuro for trainer Tomohito Ezeki.
Ping Hai Galaxy lands Sha Tin feature
Sunday’s main event at Sha Tin was the Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup (1000 metres) and it was a gelded son of an Australian mare that was much the best.
The John Size-trained Ping Hai Galaxy (The Factor {USA}) was guided to the winner’s circle by Size’s countryman Zac Purton.
Ping Hai Galaxy is from the winless Encosta De Lago mare De Lago Flash and she herself is out of the two-time Listed winner La Lagune (Danehill {USA}).
The gelding raced in Australia as Silverlink and was unbeaten in two starts, by an accumulative 6.75l, for trainer Steven O’Dea
Size said: “He’s very comfortable at high speed. He can gallop and he’s got plenty of ability. He’s just a little late coming on the scene to do his best but we thought at the start of the season he would do his best work as a 7-year-old.
“He’s (Ping Hai Galaxy) very comfortable at high speed. He can gallop and he’s got plenty of ability. He’s just a little late coming on the scene to do his best but we thought at the start of the season he would do his best work as a 7-year-old.” - John Size
“He’s a sprinter and there’s always races for him in Hong Kong, so he’ll be fine and he’ll find another race.”
Capitalist gelding scores at local debut
Four-year-old Capital Legend (Capitalist), who had four starts with John Sadler in Australia and finished fourth in last year’s G3 Carbine Club S. at Flemington, which was won by Fangirl (Sebring), got off to the perfect start in Hong Kong, saluting in a 1200-metre Class 3 at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Bred by Kambula Stud and purchased by Sadler for $90,000 from the Stonehouse Thoroughbreds draft at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale (Book 1), Capital Legend is the first winner for Sweet Melody (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), a four-time winner up to 2400 metres from the family of stakes winners Hips Don’t Lie (Stravinsky {USA}) and Splintex.
Capitalist has had three runners in Hong this season and all are winners.
