Training Report of Foreign Entry
The 48th Running of the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1)

March 22, 2018 (Thursday)

<At Chukyo Racecourse>

Weather: Rainy
Going: Soft

Blizzard (AUS, G7, chestnut)

- jogged 300m, cantered 900m, galloped 600m on turf course
(exercised from 6:51 AM to 6:59 AM, ridden by Ho Yin Wong)
- Weight: 510kg (approx. 1126lb)

(comments taken from owner Hing Fai Lau)

“We only gave him a short 600-meter steady gallop—just to try to keep him happy as possible and fresh—because he already did his workout before he came to Japan. Other than being a little lonely on his own (in quarantine) he looks very much in the state that he is back home. It’s his first time to race anti-clockwise, he’s probably had some experience working left-handed in Australia and according to the work-rider, he said he was always on the right leg when he make turns. There will be a concern whether he would really handle this kind of (softer) track, but that would depend on the weather from today until the race day—according to the weather forecast, the rain looks like it’s going to stop from today so hopefully the turf will be little bit more firmer, I’m not sure, but it shouldn’t be a problem. He’s a very smart horse, full of energy and he’s tough—all these years he’s taken his training very easily—he’s a lovely horse to have. In the Sprinters Stakes, unfortunately, he sort of missed his kick but he still ran well although the straight was a little short and climbed a little bit—he always make up ground. Here, the stretch a longer which should help him more and I don’t think going anti-clockwise is an issue but more the track condition and the draw and the weather of the coming few days. The most important would be to have a decent draw which would be or less near the inside. I need to have a good talk with the jockey as the straight is kind of tricky, it goes down and up. If all goes well he’ll be traveling probably in the first five, depending again on the draw. I firmly believe that he will run well again like he always does and hopefully finish in a better position than last time.”

(comments taken from trainer Poon-fai Yiu)

“He seems much more confident in his second trip to Japan and although he moves better on firmer track, he wasn’t too bothered although the softer turf may be a challenge for him. His training has proceeded as planned up to now and I will be focusing on keeping him relaxed and happy and save his energy for race day.”

(comments taken from assistant trainer Ho Yin Wong)