HK DEC 9 - JAPAN CLAIM THEIR FIRST HONG KONG SPRINT TITLE AS LORD KANALOA BLITZES HIS RIVALS

By Hong Kong Jockey Club | Sunday, December 9, 2012

Japan claimed its first Hong Kong International Sprint win at Sha Tin today and did so in emphatic fashion with the four-year-old Lord Kanaloa blitzing his rivals in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint.

Lord Kanaloa, ridden by Yasunari Iwata and trained by Takayuki Yasuda, won by an impressive two-and-a-half lengths from local duo Cerise Cherry and Captain Sweet.

The winner, who’d claimed the Sprinters Stakes in Japan at his previous start, ran very true to his high class form, which now reads eight wins and four seconds from 13 starts.

Japanese horses had previously won six races on International day and they’d come across the board of all races bar the Sprint.

Lord Kanaloa enjoyed a good trail behind the speed which was set by Cerise Cherry and Leading City and was able to kick strongly after turning for home. The first four home were drawn no wider than gate six.

Winning jockey Iwata said: “I was very happy to win the race. I believe he’s the best sprinter in the world and was very pleased to see him prove that here in Hong Kong.”

Last year’s winner Lucky Nine settled back from the outside gate and worked home late to finish fifth but was never a winning chance according to jockey Brett Prebble. “He was gone at the 600m. He was off the bridle then which is not him. Wasn’t quite himself today,” Prebble said.

Time After Time failed to beat a runner home. “He didn’t have the run of the race but he just didn’t have the zip when the question was asked,” said jockey Douglas Whyte.

Australian challenger Sea Siren finished ninth. “She was a bit keen early and wanted to lay in. I have to say she was disappointing,” said jockey Jim Cassidy.

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