Fast Network’s Japan Group One plan thrown into doubt
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
Fast Network’s path to the Group One Sprinters Stakes on September 27 has become uncertain after a throat issue undermined his run in Sunday’s Group Two Centaur Stakes over 1,200 metres at Hanshin. The Hong Kong-trained sprinter travelled reasonably for much of the race before fading badly in the straight and finishing second last
Key Points
- Fast Network had been aimed at the Group One Sprinters Stakes over 1,200m on September 27 at Nakayama, but that plan is now in doubt
- Dennis Yip Chor-hong’s sprinter contested Sunday’s Group Two Centaur Stakes over 1,200m at Hanshin as his lead-up assignment in Japan
- Jockey Damian Lane appeared to have Fast Network travelling well for much of the race before the horse came under pressure turning for home
- Fast Network quickly dropped away in the straight, with a throat issue reported after he plummeted down the field and beat only one rival home
- The Centaur Stakes was won by $2.5 favourite Flicker Jab for trainer Shota Nishizono and jockey Kohei Matsuyama
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong racing followers, the setback leaves uncertainty over whether one of the city’s leading sprinters can take his place in a major Japanese Group One later this month. It also adds to concern around Hong Kong horses’ overseas campaigns after a run that failed to match expectations