Hong Kong's Blizzard arrives for Grade 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Blizzard, the lone contender from Hong Kong for this year’s Grade 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, arrived safely at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture early Monday morning. The Poon Fai Yiu-trained, 7-year-old gelding was then transported to the quarantine facilities at the JRA Horseracing School Quarantine Center, where he arrived at around noon, completing about a 11.5-hour journey from his base at Sha Tin.

“Upon arrival, he looks a bit tired from the trip but I think he’ll be fine after a bit,” said assistant trainer Ho Yin Wong. “I have been instructed by the trainer to focus on letting the horse relax without fast work in two or three days. 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 Takamatsunomiya Kinen since Aerovelocity won in 2015. Blizzard finished in 5th in the Sprinters Stakes last year.