Japanese sprinters set to clash in Hong Kong Sprint
JAPANESE sprinting stars Big Arthur and Red Falx are set to clash in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on December 11.
Big Arthur was awarded the Japan Racing Association champion sprinter award after its Group one win in March, but it wasn’t able to get clear running room last time out in the Sprinters Stakes.
“We thought Big Arthur would win the Sprinters and that would be the last start of the season,” trainer Kenichi Fujioka said.
“However, Big Arthur did not have a clear run and failed to win, which is frustrating and an unsatisfactory result for our team.”
Fujioka is now seeking redemption and only thought about running Big Arthur in the Hong Kong Sprint after its torrid run in the Sprinters Stakes.
“I did not think about the race in Hong Kong for Big Arthur until what happened in the Sprinters Stakes,” Fujioka said.
“After the Sprinters Stakes, I was determined I should seek the opportunity to try again and the Hong Kong Sprint is the race to run in.”
Fellow Japanese sprinter Red Falx was able to win the Sprinters Stakes and trainer Tomohito Ozeki has decided his runner is good enough to take on the best in the world.
It’s currently on the second line of betting at $5 with Bet365 and it will have a gallop during the week.
“A week after the Sprinters Stakes, I confirmed that Red Falx had no issue, his condition was good, so I discussed with his owner and decided to send him to the Hong Kong Sprint,” Ozeki said.
“After the Sprinters Stakes he had some time off at a pre-training farm. He returned to Miho Training Centre last week and will have a gallop this week.
“He is a versatile type of horse who can handle both turf and dirt, both soft and fast tracks, so I think there is no concern about the track at Sha Tin for him. He will handle it.
“So far, he is very relaxed and is in good condition. He has no issue with traveling, so the journey to Hong Kong is not a concern.”
Big Arthur is $6.50 to win the Hong Kong Sprint and its trainer believes it can handle the going at Sha Tin.
“Big Arthur is a big and powerful horse, like any top sprinter I have ever seen, and I believe he can handle the track at Sha Tin. I have booked Yuichi Fukunaga for the race,” Fujioka said.