Introduction

In a thrilling display at the Group One Sprinters Stakes held at Nakayama, Hong Kong's sprinters faced off against fierce competition on Japanese soil. Danny Shum Chap-shing praised the courageous performance of Victor The Winner, despite the horse finishing sixth in a high-speed race. However, Mugen, another promising speedster from Hong Kong, struggled to find his footing and ended with a disappointing 13th place.

Race Highlights

Victor The Winner, who previously claimed victory in the Centenary Sprint Cup, faced a relentless pace led by Puro Magic. The race was remarkable, clocking in at just 1:07, making it one of the fastest 1,200m races at Nakayama, only 0.3 seconds shy of the track record set by Lord Kanaloa in 2012. Jockey Joao Moreira executed a strategic ride, moving Victor The Winner into fourth position early on, appearing poised for a top-three finish. Unfortunately, as the race intensified, he could not maintain his position but proved the heart of a champion by finishing in sixth.

Trainer's Perspective

Shum expressed pride in Victor The Winner's performance, noting, "It wasn't a sensational race, but a reasonable one.” He acknowledged that the horse's ability to handle the rapid pace was a developmental area, emphasizing that Victor The Winner's determination was commendable. The prize money of HK$680,000 was an added bonus for his connections.

Mugen's Struggles

Contrarily, Mugen's run left much to be desired. Under jockey Karis Teetan, Mugen settled towards the back and failed to gain traction. Teetan conveyed that the Nakayama track's conditions did not suit him, attributing the horse's nerves and discomfort behind the gates as contributing factors to his lackluster performance. Trainer Pierre Ng Pang-chi remained optimistic, stating that Mugen would learn from the experience and planned to run him in the upcoming Group Two Jockey Club Sprint.

Looking Ahead

As both horses prepare to return to Hong Kong, they have their sights set on important events ahead. Shum confirmed that Victor The Winner would aim for the prestigious Group One Hong Kong Sprint scheduled for December, with hopes of having Moreira on board once more. Meanwhile, Ng is focused on getting Mugen back to form for the Jockey Club Sprint in November.

Emotional Moments

Highlighting the race’s emotional moments, local competitor Lugal triumphed, earning his first Group One victory. His jockey, Atsuya Nishimura, couldn’t hold back tears of joy, marking a significant moment in his racing career. Lugal, having bounced back from previous setbacks, secured the win by narrowly defeating Toshin Macau, while the heavily favored Satono Reve finished in seventh place.

Conclusion

With the stakes high in Hong Kong racing, fans eagerly await the upcoming competitions where these sprinters will undoubtedly seek redemption and glory. Stay tuned as we continue to cover their journeys and the dynamic world of horse racing!