Hong Kong’s Werther arrives to Japan for G1 Takarazuka Kinen

Werther, Hong Kong’s 2015-16 season Horse of the Year, arrived safely in Japan on Thursday ahead of the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen. The 7-year-old gelding by Tavistock landed at Kansai International Airport and was then transported to the quarantine facilities at Miki Horse Land Park, where he arrived at 19:30, completing about a 10-hour journey from his home base at Sha Tin.

“He is eating well after the trip and seems to be in good form,” said Fifi Moore, assistant trainer to John Moore. “His training here will be decided on a day-to-day basis, depending on his condition. We will not do any fast work here at Miki.”

Under a light drizzle, Werther was out on the track at Miki Horse Land Park early Friday morning, where he trotted for a lap and cantered for 1 1/2 laps at about 20-22 seconds per furlong.

“He is eating well and we're satisfied with his condition,” Fifi Moore said. “It was his first day out on the track, so it was a light workout to loosen him up. We won’t do anything different from what we do back home.”

Unlike the Yasuda Kinen which attracts Hong Kong challengers almost every year, Werther will be the second foreign contender ever – and first in over 20 years – to take part in the 2,200-meter Takarazuka Kinen, the last being Australian-trained Seto Stayer in 1997 (ninth place).

Werther, with an overall record of 10 wins from 30 starts (six of them coming in Hong Kong), finished sixth in the Grade 3, 1,600-meter Lion Rock Trophy at Sha Tin on June 3. The extra distance this time should work in his favor, as he has finished in the Top 3 in all of his nine starts – including five wins – at the 2,000-2,400m range in Hong Kong. The New Zealand-bred Werther finished runner-up to Time Warp in the Grade 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2,000m) in late February, when he was found with a nose bleed.