Satono Reve is centre stage and in the spotlight heading in to his first top-level test – the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama Racecourse on Sunday (29 September).
The race carries a first-place prize of 170 million yen (approx HK$9.16 million) and is likely to have a capacity field of 16 from 18 nominees, including two raiders from Hong Kong – Victor The Winner and Mugen.
Already five years old and with only Group 3 experience on his resume, Satono Reve would seem an odd candidate as the expected hands-down favourite in his first Group 1. But, with seven wins and one second from only nine starts, it's obvious it wasn't a lack of talent that kept him from the big time.
A late bloomer debuting only in April of his three-year-old year, the son of Lord Kanaloa (the Sprinters Stakes champion in 2012 and 2013) was allowed to mature more slowly under the watchful eyes of Miho-based Noriyuki Hori. Hoof concerns and a stone bruise also necessitated two lengthy layoffs in the first two years of his charge's career.
Satono Reve, whose dam's sire is another top sprinter Sakura Bakushin O (the Sprinters Stakes winner in 1993 and 1994), is coming off successive wins of the Hakodate Sprint Stakes and the Keeneland Cup, both Group 3s over 1200 metres. Those two wins handed him the title of Summer Sprint champion.
In Sunday's event, Satono Reve will be paired with Damian Lane, who rode the Keeneland Cup and was in the saddle for a satisfying final workout with two other horses up the Miho hill course Wednesday (25 September).
"The workout was just to check his condition. His movement was good and so was his condition. He was eager to run and moved on his own," Lane said.
Seen as Satono Reve's biggest rival is Mama Cocha, now five years old and reigning Sprinters Stakes champion. She's looking to become only the fourth horse to win consecutive versions since the Sprinters was elevated to Group 1 status in 1990.
A Northern Farm-bred daughter of Kurofune, Mama Cocha has, unfortunately, failed to make the winner's circle since the Sprinters Stakes last year, having recorded 5-8-2 over her next three outings. Her most recent run was the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) at Chukyo early this month, where she was ridden by Katsuma Sameshima and finished half a length behind Toshin Macau.
In Sunday's race, Mama Cocha will be back with Yuga Kawada, who rode her final fast work up the hill course at Ritto Training Center on Wednesday.
Trainer Yasutoshi Ikee said: "I've worked her largely up the hill course and I've found that she improves very well with a sharpener. Both physically and mentally she's much easier to work with. She really wanted to move in fast work this week but I had Kawada stay behind another horse and he did a real good job keeping her relaxed. When he brought her out, she responded and moved very smoothly."
Victor The Winner's third in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen handed him his ticket to the Sprinters Stakes and, unaccustomed to racing to the left, it's hoped a return to the right in his second Group 1 in Japan this year will prove a plus.
The son of Toronado posted 7-6 in his two starts in Hong Kong following the Takamatsunomiya Kinen. Back in Hong Kong, the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) next out saw Victor The Winner finish seventh and in his most recent race, the G3 Sha Tin Vase (1200m) in early June, he was saddled with 135 lb and finished in sixth. An assigned weight of 128 lb this time will be welcome.
Amid other standouts in the field, including Namura Clair and Toshin Macau, Mad Cool is not only considered a solid candidate, he has Ryusei Sakai in the saddle again and the globe-trotting young ace is out to avenge his loss by a nose last year, one that had Sakai expressing the frustration he'd felt as the top two runners crossed the line last year.
All systems are go for the Sprinters Stakes nominees, but with rain in the weekend forecast and none of the expected favourites advantaged by it, a heavier track may prove a wrench in their plans…and a stroke of luck for others.
