While the Hong Kong stars were battling it out on Sunday at Sha Tin for a place in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races next month, Eishin Apollon was proving the best of the Japanese Group One milers in the Kyoto Mile Championship.
Run right-handed and one of only two Group One miles for the year in Japan, the Mile Championship has been a race with a strong form influence on the Hong Kong Mile in the past and is likely to be again this year. Connections of French-trained Sahpresa, unlucky as fourth placegetter at Kyoto last year on the way to being just as unlucky at Sha Tin when third to Beauty Flash after a wide trip, have indicated she will be headed this way again.
Yet again hampered by a poor barrier draw, Sahpresa was unable to make up the ground conceded by Christophe Lemaire after the French jockey had gone back searching for cover early, but she rattled to the line in third place.
The winner, Eishin Apollon is raced in the same interests as Hong Kong Mile and QE II Cup winner Eishin Preston and the dead-heat fourth in last year's Hong Kong Mile, A Shin Forward.
He had everything made to order in taking the first Group One in the career of both the horse and trainer, Masahiro Matsunaga, after enjoying a soft run just behind the speed before sealing a tradesman-like victory that may have decided a place for the four-year-old in next month's Sha Tin showpiece. Yasuda Kinen hero, Real Impact, whose connections have made it clear they are keen to make the trip to Hong Kong, looked to get his chance in finishing fifth but was not beaten far in the wet conditions.
If Eishin Apollon makes the trip, his rider Kenichi Ikezoe (pictured), enjoying a stellar year with four Group One wins, has some old business to settle. He finished fourth on former top Japanese sprinter-miler Durandal, odds-on favourite for the 2004 Hong Kong Mile, after setting him a huge task in the race won by Firebreak.
