 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |  |
Satoshi Hiramatsu talks to the leading Japanese conditioner about his plans for his rising star and the trainer who profoundly inspires him.
Q: Based on your success in the Middle East with Authority in Riyadh, how have you started preparing him for Meydan? Do you have any concerns for him about the track or his potential competitors etc? Authority wins the Neom Turf Cup
A: Authority has gone directly from Saudi Arabia to Dubai and he is being coordinated. This is exactly what I had planned since he left Japan. It's going well. This time he will be contesting in a Group One, so I know that harder to win than his last race in Riyadh.
Q: What according to you is special about his pedigree and his training that makes him perfect for the upcoming race in Dubai?
A: It is true, that the best Group races are run on counterclockwise rather than clockwise tracks. For that reason, the Dubai Sheema Classic was set early on as his biggest goal for this spring.
Q: What are the travel plans for Authority and what are your plans for him for the rest of the year?
A: Authority’s spring campaign ended in Saudi Arabia previously and in Dubai this time. In the fall, we will concentrate on counterclockwise races in Japan. In other words, the targets are the Tenno Sho and the Japan Cup.
Q: Will you be having him attempt a prep race before World Cup night?
A: No, his previous run in Riyadh is sufficient. If he runs once again before the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic, he will be overworked.
Q: How and when did Authority come to you? Could you share something about your relationship with the owner?
A: I’ve been receiving horses from Northern Farm since I began training. As the owners Silk Racing and Northern Farm have a strong relationship, they too started sending their horses to me.
Q: What are your plans for the Bahrain International Trophy and the Saudi Cup meetings in the future? Are these meetings you plan to actively hope to prepare horses for?
A: I'm not thinking specifically at this point. However, if there is a chance, there is a possibility of participating in the future.
Q: Finally, which is your favorite horse? and who inspires you?
A: I have a strong attachment to horses that were active in Japan in the late 1980s, such as Oguri Cap, Tamamo Cross and so on.
I was influenced by Katsumi Yoshida who is the President of Northern Farm, and Hiroaki Akita, now CEO of Carrot Farm.
Also, the trainer I respected was Kazuo Fujisawa who is the best trainer in Japan. He was my idol and I wanted to beat him even in the slightest way. However, it has been difficult to even get close. He retired in February, but he is a great horseman and is still my goal.
 |  |
Q: Please tell us about your other stable stars? What are the key races they are being aimed at?
A: I’m planning to run two horses, Equinox and Geoglyph, for this year's Japanese 2000 Guineas and the Japanese Derby. And Fine Rouge will also be used for the Gr.1 Victoria Mile. She hasn't won Group One race yet, but she has a lot of good runs in Group Ones and is well qualified to win this time.
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: I have always longed to be a trainer. I obediently followed that feeling. Furthermore, I was never a top-notch rider or groom. Hence, I wanted to be a recognised trainer instead.
Is it the race I want to win? No, I don’t have any such race in mind, because it’s difficult to win in any race. So, even winning even the smallest race makes me happy.
Q: What are your plans for the Bahrain International Trophy and the Saudi Cup meetings in the future? Are these meetings you plan to actively hope to prepare horses for?
A: I'm not thinking specifically at this point. However, if there is a chance, there is a possibility of participating in the future.
Q: Finally, which is your favorite horse? and who inspires you?
A: I have a strong attachment to horses that were active in Japan in the late 1980s, such as Oguri Cap, Tamamo Cross and so on.
I was influenced by Katsumi Yoshida who is the President of Northern Farm, and Hiroaki Akita, now CEO of Carrot Farm.
Also, the trainer I respected was Kazuo Fujisawa who is the best trainer in Japan. He was my idol and I wanted to beat him even in the slightest way. However, it has been difficult to even get close. He retired in February, but he is a great horseman and is still my goal.