Kvasir looks to go three-from-three in G3 Silk Road Stakes
Friday, 31 January, 2025 17:35
Kvasir is emerging as a top-class sprinter. Riding a two-race winning streak, he aims for his first graded stakes victory in the G3 Silk Road Stakes. Though this will be his first start in Open Class, his current momentum suggests he has a strong chance to make an immediate impact.
Jockey Kohei Matsuyama, who will take the reins, is confident in Kvasir's chances. "I rode him in trackwork two weeks ago and last week, and he is in good racing condition. He has plenty of speed, and with a handicap of 55kg, I believe he has a solid chance in a graded stakes race," Matsuyama said.
On January 29, Kvasir put in a sharp trackwork session on the Ritto Training Center slope course, recording a personal best of 4F in 51.5 seconds. Trainer Manabu Ikezoe was pleased with the effort. "The time was faster than planned, but this is a graded-stakes race. He needs to be this sharp," he said, acknowledging Kvasir's strong condition.
Since switching to 1200-meter turf races last summer, Kvasir has excelled, posting a record of three wins and one runner-up finish in four starts. Given that his dam, Gullveig, and half-sister, Andvaranaut, both won graded stakes over 2000 meters, his success as a sprinter may come as a surprise.
Trainer Ikezoe explained the decision to focus on shorter distances. When Kvasir won a 1600-meter newcomers' race, jockey Ryan Moore commented, "This horse breathes like a sprinter, not a miler." That observation proved accurate, as Kvasir has thrived in sprint races. "His ability to handle fast times will be key, so the forecasted rain should work in his favour," Ikezoe noted. With rain on the horizon, Kvasir is poised to claim his third straight win and first graded stakes title.
Jockey Kohei Matsuyama, who will take the reins, is confident in Kvasir's chances. "I rode him in trackwork two weeks ago and last week, and he is in good racing condition. He has plenty of speed, and with a handicap of 55kg, I believe he has a solid chance in a graded stakes race," Matsuyama said.
On January 29, Kvasir put in a sharp trackwork session on the Ritto Training Center slope course, recording a personal best of 4F in 51.5 seconds. Trainer Manabu Ikezoe was pleased with the effort. "The time was faster than planned, but this is a graded-stakes race. He needs to be this sharp," he said, acknowledging Kvasir's strong condition.
Since switching to 1200-meter turf races last summer, Kvasir has excelled, posting a record of three wins and one runner-up finish in four starts. Given that his dam, Gullveig, and half-sister, Andvaranaut, both won graded stakes over 2000 meters, his success as a sprinter may come as a surprise.
Trainer Ikezoe explained the decision to focus on shorter distances. When Kvasir won a 1600-meter newcomers' race, jockey Ryan Moore commented, "This horse breathes like a sprinter, not a miler." That observation proved accurate, as Kvasir has thrived in sprint races. "His ability to handle fast times will be key, so the forecasted rain should work in his favour," Ikezoe noted. With rain on the horizon, Kvasir is poised to claim his third straight win and first graded stakes title.
Article Creds:Daily Sports