Eurico Da Silva [Canada]

Q: You were here three years ago for the Japan Cup. What was your impression of Japanese horseracing?
A: I was very very impressed. The Japanese fans really love horseracing. They have a lot of passion for the race.

Q: Have you been keeping track of Japanese horseracing?
A: Yes, I've been checking Japanese horseracing on YouTube sometimes.

Q: What do you think of other jockeys participating in this event?
A: I'm very happy to see all these great jockeys and to meet them. I'm very happy to be with them and ride with them.

Katelyn Mallyon [Australia]

Q: What is your impression of Japanese racing?
A: I think the Japanese horses are fantastic and they've proven that by racing all over the world and by winning.

Q: What are your hopes in this series?
A: I've seen the videos of my mounts and I hope to ride a winner obviously and do the best that I can for Australia in the challenge. I hope I can show that a girl can beat the boys.

Q: Are there any Japanese jockey's that you know?
A: I've met Nanako Fujita in Macao and know Yutaka Take very well, I'm very fond of his racing style.

Kerrin McEvoy [Australia]

Q: This is the first time for you to race in Japan. What is your impression of Japanese racing?
A: I always watch it back home in Australia. It looks very exciting; the horses look very strong and well-bred so I'm looking forward to my first meeting tomorrow.

Q: You have raced in international jockey's competitions in Hong Kong and just the other day at Ascot. Are there any jockeys that you know well in particular and have an eye on in this coming series?
A: Obviously, I know Keita Tosaki from the recent Shergar Cup and I've ridden against Yutaka Take a few times. I know Christophe Lemaire and Mirco Demuro from the time I used to work in Europe, I know Tom Queally and of course Katelyn Mallyon so I know quite a few of the jockeys, but it's the horses I don't know. I've only seen the videos so it's important to be on your game tomorrow.

Q: What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
A: I have some good rides and I'm hoping to do Australia proud.

Joao Moreira [Hong Kong]

Q: You'll be participating in this event for the third time this year. How confident are you this year?
A: I'm always confident. I've been told that my horses are not the best, but even if I don't have the best horses, I never lose faith.

Q: What is your impression of Japanese horseracing?
A: It's really good. It's top class. I think the Japanese has got the best middle-distance horses in the world.

Q: You've won two G1 races abroad on Japanese horses this year and I'm pretty sure the Japanese fans are looking forward to seeing you here again.
A: I'd like to thank everyone that supports me when I come here and also when I'm riding the Japanese horses anywhere. Their support is very meaningful. It keeps the horseracing industry in the top level. Hopefully, I can keep up the good impression I gave to everyone that relates to horseracing and I hope there's more to come. If I can get on top of some more Japanese horses that go overseas, I won't hesitate, I will just jump on board. They are very competitive and I know that riding those horses could mean winning some G1 races overseas. I'm pretty much looking forward to this coming season and looking forward to sitting on top of some Japanese horses, in particular, those ones that may come to Hong Kong for the international races.

Tom Queally [United Kingdom]

Q: It's been five years since you rode in Japan. What was your impression of the Japanese horseracing?
A: I was quite captivated by the way things are done in Japan. It was a great honor for me to ride here when I rode here. I've been lucky enough to ride in lots and lots of places around the globe and in Asia as well. Like I said, it's a place that captivates me. The standard is very very high—equine talent and jockeys as well. To have ridden here is something I'm very proud of.

Q: How do you feel about coming to Sapporo for the first time for WASJ?
A: It's a new track, a new horizon, and hopefully I'll do well.

Q: What do you think of other jockeys participating in this event?
A: I think the level of talent here is all-round quite high. In these jockeys' events, you get a lot of 'crème de la crème' from all over the world, so it's always quite enjoyable to be against the best. I've been lucky enough to be in many jockeys' events all over the world. I also took part in the Shergar Cup in England, so I'm quite experienced in these sorts of things and I'm looking forward to it.

Q: Are you aware that Frankel's filly, Soul Stirring, recently won the Japanese Oaks?
A: Yes, I've seen the video. She's just head and shoulders above in her class and was brilliant. I'm very proud of her.