Derek Leung is optimistic Victor The Winner can overcome unfamiliar surroundings and formidable opposition when the pair contests the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Chukyo Racecourse on Sunday (24 March), bidding to become Hong Kong’s second winner of the feature sprint.
Leung, 35, will ride in a Japanese race for the first time while Victor The Winner will race left-handed for the first time in his career for trainer Danny Shum.
Bidding to become Hong Kong’s first winner of the race since Paul O’Sullivan and Zac Purton successfully combined with the brilliant Aerovelocity in 2015, Victor The Winner is a last-start winner of the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin.
Leung returned to Hong Kong to ride at Happy Valley on Wednesday (20 March) after partnering Victor The Winner in trackwork on Tuesday (19 March) before travelling back to Tokyo for Sunday’s HK$19.1 million contest.
“It was good. He arrived late on Monday after quarantine. There was a traffic jam, so he was spent a lot of time on the truck. At first, he was a little bit tired but after that, he was fine,” Leung said.
“The first time he galloped, he had a look around – same as at Sha Tin, he always looks around. It was a bit exciting for him because it was quite new.
“In the gallop, when I asked him for a little effort, he did it for me. The last 200 (metres), he gave me a good finish – not too tough for him. It was good.”
Although Leung has not previously ridden in Japan, the dual Tony Cruz Award winner boasts international experience, notably his apprenticeship in New Zealand and racing in England, Australia, United Arab Emirates, France, Singapore and Macau.
“First time in Japan, but I have ridden in a lot of different countries – England, where the tracks are left-handed, right-handed, uphill, downhill – so it’s no problem for me. There’s no pressure for the horse. He can gallop left-handed and he seems to like it,” Leung said.
“I want to thank the owners and trainer for the opportunity. It’s a great opportunity and the horse is fit and well. It’s just that everything is new for him – left-handed, different ground – but I am sure he can handle it. On Sunday, the weather is forecast to be a little bit wet, so we will see.”
Trainer Danny Shum indicated he would leave it to Leung to formulate final riding tactics, depending on the weather.
“The track is very firm but they are forecasting rain on Sunday,” Shum said. “We’ll see where the bias is and Derek will watch closely.”
With seven wins from 14 starts, Victor The Winner could face up six Japanese sprinters who are entered for the HK$22 million Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on 28 April – Champagne Color, Kimiwa Queen, Lugal, Mad Cool, Matenro Orion and Toshin Macau.
The Takamatsunomiya Kinen will be simulcast live for betting at 2.40pm (Hong Kong time) on Sunday. Final declarations and the barrier draw will be available tomorrow (Friday, 22 March).
