Hong Kong's Blizzard arrives for Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes

Blizzard

Blizzard, the lone contender from Hong Kong for this year’s Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes, arrived safely at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture early Tuesday morning. The Poon-fai Yiu-trained, 6-year-old gelding was then transported to the quarantine facilities at the JRA Horseracing School Quarantine Center, where he arrived at 9:40 a.m., completing about a 10-hour journey from his base at Sha Tin.

“Upon arrival, he looks more relaxed than he does back home,” said assistant trainer Ho Yin Wong. “I have been instructed by the trainer to focus on letting the horse relax. We do not plan to do any fast work here at the JRA Horseracing School.”

Blizzard will look to become the first Hong Kong trained horse to win the Sprinters Stakes since Ultra Fantasy won in 2010. The last Hong Kong challenger of the race, Rich Tapestry, finished sixth in 2015.

The Sprinters Stakes will be run on Sunday, October 1 at Nakayama Racecourse, with a scheduled post time of 15:40 local time.