Hong Kong Invaders to Try Yasuda Kinen

Hong Kong horsemen have not been shy about targeting rich races elsewhere in Asia and the June 4 Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse is no exception.

The Yasuda Kinen, run left-handed at one mile on the Tokyo turf course, is worth ¥222 million (approximately US$1.93 million) with ¥103 million (about $895,000) to the winner.

The race offers a guaranteed spot in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) in November at Del Mar through the Breeders' Cup Challenge program and recently was designated by France Gallop as a "Win and You're In" for the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois (G1) at Deauville Aug. 13.

The Hong Kong contingent includes Contentment and Beauty Only—the top two finishers in the Champions Mile (G1) at Sha Tin May 7. Beauty Only also won the Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1) in December.

Beauty Only, a 6-year-old Irish-bred gelding by Holy Roman Emperor who was imported to Hong Kong from Italy, will be racing left-handed for the first time, but trainer Tony Cruz said he seems to have had no issues with the change in direction during works over the Tokyo sod.

"He's a pretty relaxed type of horse now," said Cruz, who trained Bullish Luck to win the 2006 Yasuda Kinen—one of two Hong Kong victories in the event. The other was Fairy Prawn King in 2000, seven years after the race was opened to foreign runners.

Contentment, a 6-year-old Hussonet gelding, is having his second go in the Yasuda Kinen following a 12th-place finish last year, eight lengths behind the winner, Logotype, who will line up again this year.

Trainer Tony Size said experience will benefit the Australian-bred.

"It's a normal progression," Size said. "The experience and the fact that he's a little bit older and stronger just through maturity."

The locals aren't handing out any freebies to the raiders, however, and some tough rivals beyond Logotype are among the 16 Japanese horses set for the race.

Stephanos finished third in the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1) at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) in December and will shorten to this distance for the first time in more than two and a half years. Isla Bonita comes off a win at the mile distance and will benefit from the services of Christophe Lemaire, who has ridden group 1 winners for four consecutive weeks in Japan. Red Falx will stretch out from sprints, where he has notched multiple victories. 

A Japanese Triple Crown contender last year, Air Spinel is also slated for a start in the Yasuda Kinen coming off a second-place effort in the Yomiuru Milers Cup (G2) April 23 behind Isla Bonita. The 4-year-old colt won the Jan. 5 Sports Nippon Sho Kyoto Kimpai (G3) in his season debut.