Meisho Hario goes back-to-back in Teio Sho
Wednesday, 28 June, 2023 17:08
Meisho Hario won the JPN1 Teio Sho
Sent out as the second favourite, six-year-old colt Meisho Hario achieved an historic back-to-back victory in the JPN1 Teio Sho. In a thrilling finish at the line, he emerged victorious by just a nose. The race recorded an impressive time of 2:01.9, the first time in 12 years that the race was completed in under 2 minutes and 2 seconds. The fourth favourite, Crown Pride made a strong late surge from the inside to finish second by a nose, while the market's favourite T O Keynes settled for third place with a head separating him from the winner.
The grandstand erupted in cheers as the top three horses crossed the finish line. Crown Pride on the inside, Meisho Hario on the outside, and T O Keynes in between. The thrilling moments before the finish line witnessed the goddess of victory smiling upon Meisho Hario.
Jockey Hamanaka expressed his joy, saying, "I'm really happy. I felt his good condition during the training and in the paddock, so I rode him with confidence." The plan to wait in mid-pack went as intended. Hamanaka swung him wide in the stretch and unleashed his full power. However, Crown Pride, with a strong late kick on the inside, made it a close finish. Hamanaka added, "I thought he might not make it. I urged him, thinking, 'Please, find a way!' In the end, we managed to surpass him with a late surge, and our wish for back-to-back victories came true." With this historic achievement, Hamanaka renewed his determination, saying, "It's amazing. We haven't won a JRA G1 race yet, so I'm determined to do it next time."
Trainer Okada, in a calm tone, expressed his delight, saying, "This is the first back-to-back victory. I'm happy about it. The jockey rode him perfectly. He overcame his difficulty with left-handed courses in his previous race, and the distance of 2000 meters suits him well. At this point, we can't ask for more." The team is considering a potential expedition to the G1 Korea Cup in the autumn. Okada revealed, "It's still one of the options. We also want to look overseas next year. That's why we have made a provisional entry, even for the purpose of acclimating to transportation."
Although Meisho Hario is currently in outstanding form, there is a potential rematch with Ushba Tesoro, who finished third in the JPN1 Tokyo Daishoten. The autumn dirt racing season for older horses promises to be exciting and should not be overlooked.
The grandstand erupted in cheers as the top three horses crossed the finish line. Crown Pride on the inside, Meisho Hario on the outside, and T O Keynes in between. The thrilling moments before the finish line witnessed the goddess of victory smiling upon Meisho Hario.
Jockey Hamanaka expressed his joy, saying, "I'm really happy. I felt his good condition during the training and in the paddock, so I rode him with confidence." The plan to wait in mid-pack went as intended. Hamanaka swung him wide in the stretch and unleashed his full power. However, Crown Pride, with a strong late kick on the inside, made it a close finish. Hamanaka added, "I thought he might not make it. I urged him, thinking, 'Please, find a way!' In the end, we managed to surpass him with a late surge, and our wish for back-to-back victories came true." With this historic achievement, Hamanaka renewed his determination, saying, "It's amazing. We haven't won a JRA G1 race yet, so I'm determined to do it next time."
Trainer Okada, in a calm tone, expressed his delight, saying, "This is the first back-to-back victory. I'm happy about it. The jockey rode him perfectly. He overcame his difficulty with left-handed courses in his previous race, and the distance of 2000 meters suits him well. At this point, we can't ask for more." The team is considering a potential expedition to the G1 Korea Cup in the autumn. Okada revealed, "It's still one of the options. We also want to look overseas next year. That's why we have made a provisional entry, even for the purpose of acclimating to transportation."
Although Meisho Hario is currently in outstanding form, there is a potential rematch with Ushba Tesoro, who finished third in the JPN1 Tokyo Daishoten. The autumn dirt racing season for older horses promises to be exciting and should not be overlooked.
Article Creds:Daily Sports