PURTON DISCUSSES PROGNOSIS AND WEIGHS UP THE JAPANESE ENTRY'S CHANCES IN THE FWD QE11 CUP

By Hong Kong Jockey Club (Leo Schlink) | Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Zac Purton believes Prognosis’ hopes of extending Japan’s stunning recent run of success in the HK$25 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (30 April) rests on the raider’s capacity to relax and settle.

Renowned for an occasionally fiery temperament, Prognosis possesses a lethal finishing kick with that powerhouse acceleration propelling the Deep Impact five-year-old to five victories from eight starts.

Trained by Mitsumasa Nakauchida, Prognosis will chase a maiden Group 1 victory at the weekend under Purton, who has thoroughly researched the bay’s racing habits and is aware of what can potentially go awry.

“He’s been plagued with a lot of injuries throughout his career and he’s had a bit of a stop-start career but he’s trained by a very good trainer and his last-start win (in the G2 Kinko Sho, 2000m at Chukyo) looked impressive,” Purton said.

“From what I can gather, he can be quite a strong and eager-going horses so we need to hope – in a small field – that the speed is going to suit us and try and get him to relax.

“It looks like he hasn’t reached his full potential yet. He’s on the way up. He’s not the highest-rated (113) horse from Japan to come here so he’s got a little bit to find on ratings but he looks like he’s in good form and he could be a chance.”

Near the tail of the field until straightening for home in the Kinko Sho, Prognosis was able conserve sufficient energy under Yuga Kawada to win comfortably but Sunday’s seven-horse contest might present tactical issues for the visitor.

“He looks like he’s a bit of bolter, he wants to take off in everything that I’ve seen and they’ve made a concerted effort to try to get him to relax out of the gate and at times he’s been three or four lengths behind the second-last horse just trying to get him switch off and even in those races he’s still tried to grab the bit and wanting to go,” Purton said.

“So, his Achilles heel is his eagerness and I’ve got to try to get him to relax otherwise he’s not going to perform.”

Romantic Warrior will attempt to defend his FWD QEII Cup crown for Hong Kong, while Danon The Kid, Geraldina and Prognosis will push for Japan’s fourth victory in the race in seven seasons after the triumphs of Neorealism (2017), Win Bright (2019) and Loves Only You (2021).

Great Britain’s Dubai Honour is also a leading chance while Tourbillon Diamond and Money Catcher complete Hong Kong’s entry.

Purton, who has four Champions Day Group 1 spoils to his credit, says while the QEII Cup boasts impressive depth.

“It’s not a one, two or three-horse race. It mightn’t be a big field but there’s a lot of quality in it. The other Japanese horse Geraldina looks like it’s a solid chance as well,” he said.

Purton’s other Group 1 hopes at the weekend are California Spangle in the HK$20 million FWD Champions Mile (1600m) and Lucky Sweynesse in the HK$20 million Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m).

The five-time Hong Kong champion jockey says Lucky Sweynesse is tracking strongly for a third Group 1 triumph and seventh win overall this season from nine starts.

“He’s had a really good season and he’s been in great form recently and we know him well. He’s continued to work well. He seems very happy in the mornings, so I’m just hoping for a nice draw, hoping that he can jump well and get himself into the right spot and take care of the rest,” Purton said.

“I wouldn’t say he’s improved. He’s in his best form – he’s been in his best form for a few runs now, it’s just a matter of holding him together at the moment.”

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