Fine Needle takes on Red Falx in Sprinters Stakes

Fine Needle, arguably Japan's top sprinter, looms a strong favorite for the Sept. 30 Sprinters Stakes (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse despite the presence of Red Falx, winner of the past two runnings, and Hong Kong invader Lucky Bubbles.

The Sprinters Stakes, the first grade 1 event of Japan's autumn season, is run right-handed at 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) on the Nakayama turf. The race is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" event for the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Churchill Downs.

Fine Needle, a 5-year-old son of Admire Moon, prevailed in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) this year, besting Let's Go Donki by a nose. His only loss this year was a fourth-place finish in the April 29 Chairman's Sprint Prize (G1) at Sha Tin in Hong Kong. He had a four-month respite after that and returned to win the Sept. 9 Sankei Sho Centaur Stakes (G2) at Hanshin—the same race he won to prepare for last year's Sprinters Stakes.

"He's a smart horse who runs well with a good rhythm, and what's more, he knows what to do, especially when it comes to switching on and off," said Yoshitada Takahashi, who conditions Fine Needle for Godolphin. "I don't think the 1,200 meters at Nakayama poses a problem, particularly the way he's running right now. It's been good working with him day by day, and hopefully we can achieve a big win for the Godolphin team."

Lucky Bubbles was fifth in the Chairman's Sprint Prize in April and traveled early to Japan to contest the Sprinters Stakes. The 7-year-old, Australian-bred gelding reportedly traveled well.

"I'm happy with the horse's form. He looks OK," trainer Kin-wai Lui said, two days out from the race. "I was told that on the first day of training here, they worked left-handed because he looked around, but Brett (Prebble) told me that he moved fine right-handed on the grass yesterday. I just let him work left-handed this morning to keep him happy."

With a local rooting interest, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will simulcast six races on the Nakayama card, including the Sprinters Stakes.

Red Falx, a 7-year-old son of Swept Overboard, will have to turn things around to post his third straight Sprinters Stakes victory. He has struggled in four starts since winning in 2017, finishing eighth in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen along the way. Let's Go Donki also has disappointed in his past two starts.

The others will need to show improvement to figure at the finish at this level.

In a related development, former Hong Kong champion rider Joao Moreira Sept. 27 was granted a one-month license to ride in Japan. Moreira plans to make Japan his home and ride there after starring in both Hong Kong and Singapore.

Moreira is booked to ride Nac Venus for trainer Hiroaki Sugiura in the Sprinters Stakes. The 5-year-old Daiwa Major mare is a longshot in the field of 16.