Elton Barows eyes a return to form in the G3 Chukyo Kinen
Tuesday, 16 July, 2024 12:30
Elton Barows, winner of the G2 Mainichi Okan last fall as a 3-year-old, will be attempting to secure his third major prize.
This will be Elton Barows first race at Kokura in two years, while the race is expected to be tough, he will likely be the focus of punters and fans he looks to win his third graded stakes. Last year he won the G2 Mainichi Okan against a competitive field and ran well in the following G1 Mile Championship, finishing fourth. As of yet, he hasn't reached that same level of form.
Since winning his first race last April, his momentum has been tremendous. He won the G3 Radio Nikkei Sho, his first attempt at a graded race. In the following G2 Mainichi Okan, he overcame a fierce challenge from G1 horses Songline and Schnell Meister to win his second title.
Since the beginning of 2024, he has had a string of disappointing races, finishing seventh in the G2 Nakayama Kinen, eighth in the G1 Hong Kong Champions Mile on his first overseas race, and eighth in the G1 Yasuda Kinen. Assistant Trainer Yamamoto looks back with a frustration, "The last race on his return from Hong Kong was a bit of a disappointment because of the rain and the course conditions.
After returning to the pasture after his last race, he returned to the Ritto Training Center on the July 2nd and did a strong piece of trackwork a week ago on the Ritto woodchip course with Atsuya Nishimura in the saddle, clocking 6F80.6-36.5-11.3, five lengths ahead of his teammate. "Once put out to pasture, he returned fresh and well. In the track gallop, he was moving well, and I think this run will give him a good foundation for his body. He will gradually improve and be even better this week," the assistant nodded confidently.
It will be his first time at Kokura, but that should be a problem: "He has betting getting good results on smaller tracks and I would like to run him on good ground. Both of his graded titles have come over 1,800 meters. With a solid win, he is ready to make a comeback.
This will be Elton Barows first race at Kokura in two years, while the race is expected to be tough, he will likely be the focus of punters and fans he looks to win his third graded stakes. Last year he won the G2 Mainichi Okan against a competitive field and ran well in the following G1 Mile Championship, finishing fourth. As of yet, he hasn't reached that same level of form.
Since winning his first race last April, his momentum has been tremendous. He won the G3 Radio Nikkei Sho, his first attempt at a graded race. In the following G2 Mainichi Okan, he overcame a fierce challenge from G1 horses Songline and Schnell Meister to win his second title.
Since the beginning of 2024, he has had a string of disappointing races, finishing seventh in the G2 Nakayama Kinen, eighth in the G1 Hong Kong Champions Mile on his first overseas race, and eighth in the G1 Yasuda Kinen. Assistant Trainer Yamamoto looks back with a frustration, "The last race on his return from Hong Kong was a bit of a disappointment because of the rain and the course conditions.
After returning to the pasture after his last race, he returned to the Ritto Training Center on the July 2nd and did a strong piece of trackwork a week ago on the Ritto woodchip course with Atsuya Nishimura in the saddle, clocking 6F80.6-36.5-11.3, five lengths ahead of his teammate. "Once put out to pasture, he returned fresh and well. In the track gallop, he was moving well, and I think this run will give him a good foundation for his body. He will gradually improve and be even better this week," the assistant nodded confidently.
It will be his first time at Kokura, but that should be a problem: "He has betting getting good results on smaller tracks and I would like to run him on good ground. Both of his graded titles have come over 1,800 meters. With a solid win, he is ready to make a comeback.
Article Creds:Daily Sports