North Bridge and Yasunari Iwata ready for revenge in the G2 Sapporo Kinen
Saturday, 17 August, 2024 00:34
North Bridge, returning to action since his third-place finish in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong this past April, completed his final track work on August 15th at Sapporo Racecourse ahead of the G2 Sapporo Kinen. Although it was a light workout focused on the final 3 furlongs, the 5-year-old demonstrated a solid turn of foot, getting a feel for the Sapporo turf. Having been meticulously prepared at Miho Training Center since late June, he appears in top form, ready for a strong autumn campaign.
At 6 a.m. under a sky blanketed with grey clouds, North Bridge warmed up on the practice track before moving onto the main turf course for his final piece of work. In the saddle was his partner, Yasunari Iwata. Last week, Iwata travelled to Miho to oversee a more vigorous training session, where North Bridge clocked an impressive 6F in 84.1 seconds, finishing the last furlong in 11.2 seconds. With the heavy work behind them, today's session was a quick breeze, covering the final 3 furlongs in 42.2 seconds, with a final furlong in 12.8 seconds.
Reflecting on the final preparations, Iwata commented, "We moved his final workout to Thursday to let off some steam, as he was full of energy on Tuesday and Wednesday. The horse is settling down more each day. Last week, his breathing seemed laboured, but today it was fine. I think he's in a good place both physically and mentally."
Despite the lighter workload, North Bridge's well-conditioned physique clearly shows the benefits of his extensive training. Trainer Takeshi Okumura, who closely monitored the session, was pleased, saying, "Everything went according to plan. I believe he's in great shape." A key goal for the team is to challenge the reigning champion, Prognosis. Having been bested by Prognosis in their previous two encounters, Okumura revealed his determination, saying, "He's a tough opponent, but we've come this far with the mindset that we're not going to lose. We're aiming for a reversal."
Iwata, the veteran jockey, is eager to deliver on the trainer's expectations. "I'm grateful to be trusted with such a good horse. North Bridge has already won a G2, so we're aiming for one step higher. If we can use this race to set the stage for that, it would be ideal," Iwata remarked. With a victory here following his win in the G3 Hakodate Kinen, the partnership looks to continue building momentum toward capturing a G1 title this fall.
At 6 a.m. under a sky blanketed with grey clouds, North Bridge warmed up on the practice track before moving onto the main turf course for his final piece of work. In the saddle was his partner, Yasunari Iwata. Last week, Iwata travelled to Miho to oversee a more vigorous training session, where North Bridge clocked an impressive 6F in 84.1 seconds, finishing the last furlong in 11.2 seconds. With the heavy work behind them, today's session was a quick breeze, covering the final 3 furlongs in 42.2 seconds, with a final furlong in 12.8 seconds.
Reflecting on the final preparations, Iwata commented, "We moved his final workout to Thursday to let off some steam, as he was full of energy on Tuesday and Wednesday. The horse is settling down more each day. Last week, his breathing seemed laboured, but today it was fine. I think he's in a good place both physically and mentally."
Despite the lighter workload, North Bridge's well-conditioned physique clearly shows the benefits of his extensive training. Trainer Takeshi Okumura, who closely monitored the session, was pleased, saying, "Everything went according to plan. I believe he's in great shape." A key goal for the team is to challenge the reigning champion, Prognosis. Having been bested by Prognosis in their previous two encounters, Okumura revealed his determination, saying, "He's a tough opponent, but we've come this far with the mindset that we're not going to lose. We're aiming for a reversal."
Iwata, the veteran jockey, is eager to deliver on the trainer's expectations. "I'm grateful to be trusted with such a good horse. North Bridge has already won a G2, so we're aiming for one step higher. If we can use this race to set the stage for that, it would be ideal," Iwata remarked. With a victory here following his win in the G3 Hakodate Kinen, the partnership looks to continue building momentum toward capturing a G1 title this fall.
Article Creds:Daily Sports