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| Staff Writer |
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Schnell Meister, was well back at 200 meters from the line when he changed gears and charged down the middle of the course. He just stuck his nose in front of Songline with his favourite, Grenadier Guards, further back in third. Schnell Meister almost broke the stakes record, under leading rider Christophe Lemaire. The win was Schnell Meister's third from four starts.
The NHK Mile has increasingly become a key factor in developing Japanese horses for important longer races around the world as witnessed here with Schnell Meister being readied for the Gr.1 Dubai Turf next.
The 4YO out of the Soldier Hollow, mare Serienholde will be travelling with stablemate and Japanese Oaks-winning mare, Uberleben. Bred by Shigeyuki Okada’s Big Red Farm, her Japanese Oak’s victory was the first in a Group One race for the offspring of Gold Ship; a six-time G1 winner whose victories included the first and third legs of the Japanese Triple Crown in 2012. Interestingly, Uberleben is out of the mare Meine Theresia; the daughter of Gr.1 Whitney Handicap and Gr.1 Dubai World Cup winner Roses in May.
Takahisa Tezuka chats with Ten Furlongs’ Satoshi Hiramatsu on his careful planning of Schnell Meister’s international debut and reflects his life’s work:
Q: As This is Schnell Meister’s first international trip, do you have any concerns regarding the track or his opponents?
A: This will be Schnell Meister’s first trip abroad and it’s also his first time racing at night. There are many other first for him in this race so I think we have to be very careful.
Specifically, I think it is important for him to get used to the environment, such as the parade ring and the pre-parade ring.
Looking at past Japanese horse data, horses that performed well in Dubai tend to perform well in Tokyo as well. He has won the Group One race in Tokyo, so that shouldn't be a problem.
I don't know everything about all the opponents, but I have been reviewing how strong and fit Lord North was when he won last year. But Japanese horses cannot be disregarded.
Q: What according to you is special about his pedigree and his training that makes him perfect for the upcoming race in Dubai?
A: Dubai’s turf course may be pedigree-friendly for Europe. However, I think that Deep Impact and Sunday Silence, which are popular high-quality sires in Japan, are also very suitable.
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Q: What are the travel plans for Schnell Meister and what are your plans for him for the rest of the year?
A: The schedule after Gr.1 Dubai Turf will be decided in consultation with the owner, but Yasuda Kinen will be the most promising in the spring. After that, we are also considering Japan's Group One races or even an expedition to Europe. I haven't decided whether it will be a race in England or France, but it was originally a horse of European pedigree, and the owner side is keen on travelling the horse to Europe, so I want to make it happen.
Q: Will you be having him attempt a prep race before World Cup night?
A: No. It will be very tight for us. He doesn't have to run the prep race because he can run even after a break.
Q: After winning the NHK Mile, Lemaire has commented that the horse was still green and has a lot of room for improvement. What has been your journey with the horse since the NHK Mile and how has he developed both physically and mentally into a strong Group One horse?
A: He (Schnell Meister) has grown considerably compared to when he won the NHK Mile Cup. The body has gained about 20 kilograms. You can also feel the mental growth. Originally, he was a horse that had some challenges at the gate, but that area has been resolved. The friendly and sweet side is still the same, but I think it will be a really strong horse if he improves further.
Q: How and when did Schnell Meister come to you? Could you share something about your relationship with the owner?
A: The first time I saw him was when he was a yearling. My first impression was that he was quite compact. I had the impression that he was still growing, but his balance was good, so I thought I could expect him to do well in his career. I didn't feel he was intensely wonderful, but I thought he was a good horse.
I have had a relationship with the owners since I started as a trainer. In fact, they are now one of the main owners of my stable.
Q: Please tell us about your other stable stars? What are the key races they are being aimed at?
A: Uberleben is going to run in the Dubai Sheema Classic with Australian jockey Damian Lane. Until now, Jockey Mirco Demuro was riding him well, but this time he can't. It's a little difficult horse to ride. Lane came to my mind when I thought of him as a jockey. It would be easy to explain the ride as he has had experience with Japanese horses. Of course, Japanese jockeys were also candidates, but Lane won some races for my stable in Japan, so I decided to ask him to ride Uberleben.
Also, I personally felt it would be nice to go on an expedition with two horses from my stable. I thought about her for this race after she won the Japanese Oaks in May last year.
She has good form and conditioning. But it is a tough race. As you know, last year Japanese horses Chrono Genesis and Loves Only You tried their best but could not win.
Q: Why did you choose to become a trainer? Could you tell us more about your journey? What is the most iconic race you would hope to win?
A: My dad was not part of the JRA, but he was a trainer. I grew up seeing him train, so I hoped to become a trainer.
I have always wanted to win the Japanese Derby. Overseas, I challenged the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but lost. In the future, I would like to aim for the Breeders' Cup.
Q: What are your plans for the Bahrain International Trophy and the Saudi Cup meetings in the future?
A: There is a good chance that we will continue to race in the Middle East. I want to experience these races myself.
Q: Finally, which is your favourite horse? And who inspires you?
A: I have always liked Symboli Rudolf, the first undefeated Triple Crown horse in Japan. In my student days, the success of that horse helped me decide to pursue a career in the world of horse racing. Symboli Rudolf inspired me to become a trainer. These days it's Deep Impact that inspires me.
Of course, it was my father who inspired me. I'm not the type to be influenced, but I still respect my father and feel that he's hard to catch up to.
I also highly respect the recently retired JRA trainer Kazuo Fujisawa. Within the Japanese industry, he is widely known as a horse-whisperer. He always was horse-oriented in his actions and thoughts. He can probably talk to a Thoroughbred.