Japan’s long run of grade 1 autumn racing kicks off with the Sprinters Stakes (G1) Sept. 29 at Nakayama Racecourse with last year’s winner seeking a repeat and two invaders from Hong Kong lending an international flavor.
The race is one of just two top-level sprints on the Japan Racing Association calendar and, thus, a key to determining year-end honors.
Mama Cocha won the 2023 Sprinters Stakes but reported eighth in March in the other top-level sprint, the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1). She returned from a five-month layoff to score a second-place finish in the Sankei Sho Centaur Stakes (G2) at the same 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs) as Sprinters Stakes. The 5-year-old daughter of Kurofune has finished in the money in 11 of sixteen starts but the Sprinters Stakes win remains her only grade 1 start, much less win.
“Having won the race last year, she’s suited to the Nakayama course,” said assistant trainer Yuki Iwasaki. “It looks to be riding fast right now and, with the strong horses from overseas, I’m hoping she’ll draw an inside gate to help her do well.”
He got his wish as Mama Cocha drew the No. 6 stall in a field of 16.
Mad Cool won the Takamatsunomiya Kinen and certainly would lock up the division championship with a victory at Nakayama. The 5-year-old son of Dark Angel finished second to Mama Cocha a year ago and since has two disappointing trips to Hong Kong, finishing eighth in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1) in December and 11th in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (G1) April 28. He hasn’t raced since.
“He returned to the stable at the end of August, so we’ve had plenty of time to get him ready,” trainer Manabu Ikezoe said of Mad Cool. “He’s been training well … The race has plenty of good horses in it this year but hopefully, he’ll run as well as he did last year.”
The Hong Kong contingent is spearheaded by Victor the Winner, who is no stranger to Japan. The 6-year-old gelding finished third in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen behind Mad Cool and Namura Clair, who also graces this race with her presence.
Victor the Winner hasn’t made the frame in two starts at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong since the Japanese trip but jockey Joao Moreira, who has traveled the world for quality mounts in big races since his last full-time residency in Hong Kong, shows confidence by taking the mount.
“I have won top sprint races all around the world, just not any in Japan, so I think I’m qualified and experienced enough to do well,” Moreira said. “The horse is obviously in very good shape and very healthy.”
Victor the Winner’s traveling companion, Mugen, has stepped into the fringes of the big time with a third-place showing in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize and, in his latest start, a win in the Premier Cup (G3).
“Racing against strong horses helped him improve a lot. In June, the trainer was already planning to bring him here for the Sprinters Stakes and we hope our horse can learn from the good Japanese horses and perform well,” said work rider Ho Fai Leung.
