Prime Minister Rudd and Vodka
June 10th 2008 06:31
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in Japan today announced that the Government would invest $35 million from its Green Car Innovation Fund to aid Toyota in setting up a plant to build hybrid technology cars. This both an environmental and petrol saving initiate. (stay with me, there is a link to real horsepower coming)
I am a great advocate of the competition between thoroughbreds from different countries. We have our own Melbourne Cup improved by the appearance of European, and Asian, thoroughbred invaders. Best against the best. And I love when our best horses travel and win the recognition they deserve. There is always more controversy and debate over classifications if the best of the best never compete against each other. This is one (more) reason why I love the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which is the magnet which draws the best horses in the world to competition.
Soon we will see Takeover Target, Magnus, Haradasun and Seachange (we always lay some claim to New Zealanders - be they a definitive and iconic Australian like Phar Lap, or those adopted like Crowded House). And I would very much love Apache Cat and Weekend Hussler to travel next year.
The increase in petrol is making travel more expensive for even local and interstate float trips of horses. But of course as oil costs continue to soar, the difficulties of overseas travel for Australian horses will increase. The tyranny of distance (and tyranny of cost) is felt most by us in this outermost region. The pity is that I believe only now are the thoughts of international competition beginning to take root and seem practical (logical) for our trainers. And just as this mindset grows and thrives, the costs may begin to become prohibitive. The European horses, even American, will continue to travel and compete in the greatest races. I hope that time and (changing) circumstance does not deny Australia this opportunity and privilege in the near future. The cost of transport is on the mind of everyone at present, from Kevin Rudd to Lee Freedman.
Let’s look at a recent traveller from our region.
The Japanese Mare Vodka brilliantly won the Group One Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo last weekend. This race being the final leg of the 2008 Asian Mile Challenge. Vodka produced her first win in over a year since winning the Japanese Derby of 2007. She won by three and a half lengths in the brilliant time of 1.32.7. This run comes directly after her fourth in the Dubai Duty Free over 1777m which was won by Jay Peg. Third placed Archipenko has since won at Group one, as did 8th placed Creachadoir. These results made all the more interesting when considering that Seachange finished a half length from Vodka in sixth placing.
At this time Seachange is 20/1 to win the Golden Jubilee Stakes. Sakhee’s Secret is 4/1 favourite, with Takeover Target at 7/1 next in betting.
A further Australian connection with this race is the fact that Vodka is trained by Katsuhiko Suumi, and was ridden by Yasunari Iwata, the winning combination with Delta Blues in the Melbourne Cup of 2006. She will now spell and return for the Japanese Autumn with the Tenno Sho as her main objective. A very versatile mare with a record of five wins and a second at 1600m, and the stamina to win over the 2400m. I would love to see her in Australia, but perhaps they have (once again) loftier aims as she was being set for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2007 before a minor injury (or lack of form) prevented her from contesting the great race.
Vodka was the first filly in 64 years to win the Japanese Derby when successful in 2007. Some of her (seven consecutive) failures between this win and the Derby have been linked to slow pace set in some of the longer races. Suumi was of the opinion that although she had not raced over the 1600m trip since her 3yo campaign (winning the Oka Sho - first leg of the Japanese Fillies’ Triple Crown) she would be better suited by the strong pace in the Dubai Duty Free and the Yasuda Kinen. The fourth in the $5 million dollar Duty Free, and this exceptional victory, speak volumes for the acumen of Suumi. Katsuhiko Suumi is one of the pioneers of taking Japanese horses to race overseas and has a victory in the American Oaks with Cesario as well as his spectacular quinella in the Melbourne Cup as highlights.
In the 2007 Japan Cup Vodka ran 4th behind Admire Moon (Japanese Champion) who narrowly defeated Pop Rock. This day a victim of tempo again and she made great ground from the rear of the field to just miss placings, and finish ahead of Delta Blues.
Watch Vodka prove far too good in the 2008 Yasuda Kinen (she is number 5 in yellow silks with red cap):
I am a great advocate of the competition between thoroughbreds from different countries. We have our own Melbourne Cup improved by the appearance of European, and Asian, thoroughbred invaders. Best against the best. And I love when our best horses travel and win the recognition they deserve. There is always more controversy and debate over classifications if the best of the best never compete against each other. This is one (more) reason why I love the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which is the magnet which draws the best horses in the world to competition.
Soon we will see Takeover Target, Magnus, Haradasun and Seachange (we always lay some claim to New Zealanders - be they a definitive and iconic Australian like Phar Lap, or those adopted like Crowded House). And I would very much love Apache Cat and Weekend Hussler to travel next year.
The increase in petrol is making travel more expensive for even local and interstate float trips of horses. But of course as oil costs continue to soar, the difficulties of overseas travel for Australian horses will increase. The tyranny of distance (and tyranny of cost) is felt most by us in this outermost region. The pity is that I believe only now are the thoughts of international competition beginning to take root and seem practical (logical) for our trainers. And just as this mindset grows and thrives, the costs may begin to become prohibitive. The European horses, even American, will continue to travel and compete in the greatest races. I hope that time and (changing) circumstance does not deny Australia this opportunity and privilege in the near future. The cost of transport is on the mind of everyone at present, from Kevin Rudd to Lee Freedman.
Let’s look at a recent traveller from our region.
The Japanese Mare Vodka brilliantly won the Group One Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo last weekend. This race being the final leg of the 2008 Asian Mile Challenge. Vodka produced her first win in over a year since winning the Japanese Derby of 2007. She won by three and a half lengths in the brilliant time of 1.32.7. This run comes directly after her fourth in the Dubai Duty Free over 1777m which was won by Jay Peg. Third placed Archipenko has since won at Group one, as did 8th placed Creachadoir. These results made all the more interesting when considering that Seachange finished a half length from Vodka in sixth placing.
Japanese star Vodka
At this time Seachange is 20/1 to win the Golden Jubilee Stakes. Sakhee’s Secret is 4/1 favourite, with Takeover Target at 7/1 next in betting.
A further Australian connection with this race is the fact that Vodka is trained by Katsuhiko Suumi, and was ridden by Yasunari Iwata, the winning combination with Delta Blues in the Melbourne Cup of 2006. She will now spell and return for the Japanese Autumn with the Tenno Sho as her main objective. A very versatile mare with a record of five wins and a second at 1600m, and the stamina to win over the 2400m. I would love to see her in Australia, but perhaps they have (once again) loftier aims as she was being set for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2007 before a minor injury (or lack of form) prevented her from contesting the great race.
Vodka was the first filly in 64 years to win the Japanese Derby when successful in 2007. Some of her (seven consecutive) failures between this win and the Derby have been linked to slow pace set in some of the longer races. Suumi was of the opinion that although she had not raced over the 1600m trip since her 3yo campaign (winning the Oka Sho - first leg of the Japanese Fillies’ Triple Crown) she would be better suited by the strong pace in the Dubai Duty Free and the Yasuda Kinen. The fourth in the $5 million dollar Duty Free, and this exceptional victory, speak volumes for the acumen of Suumi. Katsuhiko Suumi is one of the pioneers of taking Japanese horses to race overseas and has a victory in the American Oaks with Cesario as well as his spectacular quinella in the Melbourne Cup as highlights.
In the 2007 Japan Cup Vodka ran 4th behind Admire Moon (Japanese Champion) who narrowly defeated Pop Rock. This day a victim of tempo again and she made great ground from the rear of the field to just miss placings, and finish ahead of Delta Blues.
Watch Vodka prove far too good in the 2008 Yasuda Kinen (she is number 5 in yellow silks with red cap):
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