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

March 23, 2018 (Friday)

<At Chukyo Racecourse>

Weather: Fine
Going: Muddy

Blizzard (AUS, G7, chestnut)

- walked 100m, jogged 300m, cantered 1,400m on dirt course
(exercised from 6:47 AM to 6:58 AM, ridden by Karis Teetan)

“He looked good after the little gallop yesterday and looks to me he’s a happy horse, and with the feedback I got from my jockey things look positive. We’ll just try to keep him as fresh as possible towards the race and work lightly tomorrow and just walk him around the stable area on Sunday. Today is sunny and the wind is helping so I’m hopeful that the turf will dry up on Sunday.”

“(comments after the barrier draw) We wanted an inside draw so I’m happy that he got what is an important factor in giving his best in the coming race.”

(comments taken from trainer Poon-fai Yiu)

“He gave me a good feel—very very fresh—the good thing was that when he goes to the turn he changes leg to the right leg to go around the turn smoothly and then changes leg again at the 150m so I think those points are very important. The main thing is that the horse is very well and he felt very fresh underneath me.
I used to ride him when he was very young and then I didn’t ride him for a long time—until the last time (when racing in January)—back then he use to use up so much energy but now he’s completely relaxed and mature. And of course he’s competing against the big boys in Hong Kong and he’s run very good races against them.
The Chukyo course looks a little bit tricky with the up and down hill but it’s part of our job (as a jockey) to learn about it and get on with it—I’ve spoken to Zac (Purton) whose been here and won on it, so I spoke to him before coming here and he’s given me a few good tips and of course I’ll be watching the races here on Saturday to see where the winners are coming from and also on Sunday I’ve got a few rides before the main race.
If he does get a good draw, I’ll be able to hold my position better but I know the way they race here, they just keep coming on to you, and I think of course the gate is very important and the horse has a lot of speed but I won’t be using too much gas from the beginning but then you also don’t want to be turning for home too far behind either. I know too that this horse has a good finish so I hope he has a good draw today—I would be happy with say around 4.5.6.7 but whatever he draws I know this horse pretty well so we’ll just keep positive.”

(comments taken from jockey Karis Teetan)