Training Report of Foreign Entry
the 51st Running of the Sprinters Stakes (G1)
- the 8th leg of the Global Sprint Challenge -

September 27, 2017 (Wednesday)

<At Nakayama Racecourse>

Weather: Fine
Going: Firm (turf course)

Blizzard (AUS, G6, chestnut)

- jogged, walked, cantered 600m, galloped 600m on turf course
(exercised from 7:55 AM to 8:05 AM, ridden by Gerald Mosse)

"We stopped quite early last season and started looking at the plans of the following season for him, which is now, and decided with the owners to enter him in the Sprinters Stakes because we realized he had an even chance.

"The horse had a very good gallop before he came to Japan and until now we just wanted to keep him happy with slow and light work, and today we gave him a good gallop. I asked the jockey to warm him up, gradually increase speed and give him a good blow in the stretch. I'm happy with how he did.

"He's a little different from your normal sprinter because he's so relaxed - he won't do much until you ask him. But he has a good turn of foot and is so honest and gives his best, especially in the straight.

"Ultra Fantasy (winner of 2010 Sprinters Stakes) was a front runner and he loved the rail where Blizzard is versatile - if you ask him, he can run in first or second or he can drop in a good position and relax in mid-field and finish the race good - that's the difference between the two horses.

"A draw from the middle to the inside would be ideal."

(comments taken from trainer Poon-fai Yiu)

"I used to ride the horse in Hong Kong and it has been a while, but I was very pleased to see this morning how well he traveled and how happy he is here. He seems much more matured, concentrated and confident with himself seeing how he is relaxed working alone in a new environment.

"In today's workout, we started slowly from 1,200m out, gradually accelerated from the 600m and went strong from the 400m to the goal. He was a bit surprised with the sharp turns and how the course goes down and up again, but he was focused and simulated how to perform. He's a very smart and honest horse so I believe he understood what I asked him to do.

"The level of the Grade 1 competition here does not worry me because he races against top European horses in Hong Kong and he has the ability. The main competitor would probably be the one who won last year, but we're just looking to make a nice show and to make sure the horse is able to handle the race properly.

"With having to run in full speed making the sharp turns and that it is his first experience here, the ideal scenario would be to get an inside draw and let the rails act as a guide."

(comments taken from jockey Gerald Mosse)