Silent Witness to break from wide in Sprinters Stakes bid

Sprinters Stakes News (5)

With post time fast approaching, tension was definitely in the air at Nakayama on an overcast Friday as final work was completed and the barrier draw revealed.

Tony Cruz met the news Silent Witness had been drawn no. 14 with a mix of disappointment and optimism. ¡§There can¡¦t be much difference from last year,¡¨ he said initially. But the grey skies overhead seemed to more truly reflect the trainer¡¦s thoughts upon hearing his champion was one farther out from the rail than last year's winning run.

Earlier in the morning, Cruz confidently predicted his horse would finish in the top three at race end. Morning work consisted of two laps at a slow canter under Cody Mo Wai-kit. Felix Coetzee arrives in Japan today but will not ride until race day.

¡§I¡¦m very happy with the work. He¡¦s spot on,¡¨ Cruz said. He said he was not worried about the extra weight Silent Witness was carrying this year (he was 1265lbs on Thursday, 1227lbs last year on race day).

The Nakayama track tends to retain moisture longer than Tokyo and Cruz is hoping there will be sufficient ease in the ground to prevent a repeat of the Champions Mile at Sha Tin in May during which Silent Witness badly jarred his joints.

Takeover Target and Les Arcs received the bulk of the media attention Friday with both horses galloping on the turf. Eric Saint-Martin flew in from Hong Kong to take the reins, driving Les Arcs over 1000m in 1 min 12 sec and the final 200m in 12.2 sec.

¡§He was very relaxed and well-balanced. When I asked him to move in the stretch, he moved very brightly. I think my horse will be happy,¡¨ Saint-Martin said.

Still, the Frenchman allowed room for less, adding: ¡§You can never underestimate the Japanese horses on their home ground. It¡¦s always a lot tougher for the foreign horses.¡¨

Takeover Target, looking to become the race favourite in Japan, also galloped over turf, clocking 59 sec for 800m, wrapping up the final furlong in 12.5 sec under his regular rider, Jay Ford.

¡§He feels as good, if not better than when he was racing in Australia in the autumn. He¡¦s more forward in his work. He¡¦s got a run under his belt now and has taken the next step,¡¨ Ford said.

Asked if he thought Takeover Target could overturn British Gr.1 form on Les Arcs, Ford said: ¡§I definitely think so. I couldn¡¦t be happier with him.¡¨

As for the draw, Ford had said he would like to be ¡§close to the rails.¡¨ That wish, however, was not to be, with Takeover Target drawing No. 13. As for race strategy, Ford said, ¡§He¡¦s versatile. He can lead or take a sit. We¡¦ll be up there in the first four or five. Whether we lead or not depends on the draw,¡¨ Ford said before the post-positions were known.

Benbaun¡¦s connections were not on hand for Friday work, but groom and rider Steeve Gaillard spoke to the press. The horse has not done any speed work since coming to Japan, which Gaillard said was not unusual for them considering the short stay. ¡§He¡¦s a tough horse, very laid back,¡¨ Gaillard said. ¡§We¡¦re very happy with him.¡¨

The mood among the Japanese press is mixed, with Orewa Matteruze perhaps the best bet. She is Tosho, in addition to not being considered well suited to Nakayama, is not believed to be totally recovered from her three-length victory from Takeover Target in the Centaur Stakes. The draw favoured neither Suteki Shinsukekun, drawn wide, nor the come-from-behind Venus Line, drawn on the rail.

The consensus in Tokyo is that winner¡¦s circle beckons for one of the four contenders from afar.