Trainer Tomohito Ozeki is confident classy Glory Vase can reprise a winning Hong Kong habit and add to Japan’s imposing record in the HK$25 million (US$3.2m) G1 FWD QEII Cup over 2000 metres (ten furlongs) at Sha Tin on FWD Champions Day on Sunday (April 25).
Glory Vase, who is bidding to join fellow Japanese Eishin Preston (2002 and 2003), Rulership (2012), Neorealism (2017) and Win Bright (2019) on the prestigious contest’s honour roll, won the 2019 G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) - and that remains a significant reminder of the 6-year-old’s capacity to travel and succeed.
Ozeki is delighted with the son of Deep Impact’s condition since his arrival at Sha Tin last week and expects another stellar performance on Sunday, where his biggest rivals are likely to be the star Japanese mares Daring Tact (the 2020 fillies’ triple crown winner), 2019 Japanese Oaks heroine Loves Only You (who was beaten just two necks by Mishriff and Chrono Genesis in the Dubai Sheema Classic last month) and Hong Kong Horse of the Year Exultant.
“The horse is in great condition. It’s the second time we’ve come to Hong Kong and it’s made a difference to how he’s travelled and settled in. He’s very relaxed at the moment,” Ozeki said. “He lost less condition in the travel than he did last time, so he’s a happy horse and everything is on track.”
Ozeki said the triumphant 2019 Vase foray was a prime factor in returning to Hong Kong, where Glory Vase will square off against the cream of Japanese staying ranks in a clash with Daring Tact, Kiseki and Loves Only You as well as reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Exultant, Glorious Dragon and Time Warp.
Typically, Ozeki remains quietly confident after Glory Vase’s last-start fourth in the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) behind Daring Tact (second) but ahead of Kiseki (fifth) on March 14.
“I have enormous respect for the quality of the other horses in the race. I’m very confident in my own horse that he has what it takes to get a win. So, I’m confident of running well against the other horses and confident of getting a result,” Ozeki said.
“A lot of his runs have been over further distances.Two starts back, he ran very well in a high-paced Japan Cup over 2400 metres. Even though it was a strong pace in that race, he was able to get into a relatively good position – a forward position – and run well [finishing fifth behind Almond Eye,Contrail and Daring Tact].
“Since then, last start was the first time over 2000 metres for a while. The track condition wasn’t fantastic that day. They had rain and that made it unsuitable for the horse, but we were still very happy with the run.
“So, off the back of that last-start 2000-metre race, the thoughts were there to aim for this race. He’s quite comfortable with this trip.”
The veteran of 14 starts, Glory Vase has been sparingly raced simply because decent breaks between runs suit him. “He may not be the most robust horse out there, but by no means has he had any serious issues or anything like that,” Ozeki said.
“His runs are spaced and we’re in constant discussions with connections about finding the best races to suit him and to target those races accordingly.
“He is quite a young 6-year-old. He’s shown growth and improvement over the last two years so the horse is in very good condition and we’ve been focusing on the races best suited to him.”
Big-race partner Karis Teetan will ride Glory Vase tomorrow (Thursday morning - April 22) in a familiarisation exercise.
The Mauritian is excited to accompany a horse of such impressive calibre. “I can’t wait for the race. Of course, his win in the [2019] Vase was very impressive when he came here. He looks magnificent. I’m really excited,” Teetan said.
“You have to respect Japanese horses when they travel. When they travel to Hong Kong, they have been super strong in the last couple of years. It’s always been a dream for me that, when the Japanese horses come to Hong Kong, to get on one of them because I know they will be very competitive here because on their home ground they are so strong.
“They produce so many great horses. This is a great opportunity for me.”