No UK racing after all due to a waterlogged track, but at least there was an intention to run two horses - in Japan, there isn't even intent, just Northern Farm reports on treadmills and the odd canter. In fact, 'Bugatti' works a lot harder, doing more in a warming up session than the average JRA horse that's supposed to be "in training" - if it wasn't so annoying, it would just be a funny joke that no-one outside Japan could believe possible for Thoroughbreds that are supposed to still be racing. No-one outside Japan could believe my NAR injury list either:
Shine Tiara: Second first time out, then a win, followed by three very disappointing runs. Doesn't seem to like sand being kicked up, which is hardly an ideal scenario for a dirt racer. Supposed to be running at Kawasaki in the first week of July.
Chocolat Sucre: A sickly child, which was third before winning, although the next two runs were poor. Off since the start of May with a throat operation having just been done. Will she come back strong? She'll definitely be off for a while yet, then need building up, and then have to overcome race-rust before we find out.
Trovao: The only horse that has been doing well, although the Tokyo Derby was disappointing, not so much for the team behind the nag, but JRA stealing the show - and naturally the prize-money, which is all JRA people care about. Next is the Japan Dirt Derby, when hopefully the NAR runners will allow the NAR horses to run freely instead of being stupid and mark them out of the race again! Looks like veteran star, Matoba-san, will be taking over the reins for the next run...
Pop Label: A Juvenile Champion that was wrongly run when it was injured. As such, after six months out for a knee operation, it hasn't won since August 2013! Recent results have been worse and worse, and the horse is now on the walking wounded list. Aiming for a late-August return.
Million Ways: Apart from one silly outing, it did well in six runs (winning twice), before awful races in April and May. Now having treatment that has taken the horse out of training, so what we'll get on its return is another big question mark. If we're lucky (and I mean lucky), it will return to the track at the end of July or start of August.
Kealoha: A late starter, but looked promising with a third and two wins. Now at Northern Farm with sore shins.
Phosphorus: This horse had a super record until the middle of 2015, then it had six months out for an operation on both front knees. Never done anything of note since, other than a second in April. I'll guess, as a five-year old, he'll be retired on a low note, like Pop Label.
Magic Key: A very expensive horse (although 16,000,000 yen is now becoming the norm - odd when you can buy a Prince Of Wales Stakes winner in the UK for 6,000,000 yen), which was fiddled out of a first race win, then after winning at last went straight out for six months for a knee operation.
Another Door: Another expensive one, but one wouldn't know it from the first race. Due out again on the 23rd, when we will know whether to expect something worthwhile or not, assuming it doesn't get injured five minutes into its career - something all too common out here, as you'll have seen by now.
Vertice: Due to debut soon, maybe on the 30th.
Lotus Blossom: Ironic that I bought into this to show support for NAR. Supposed to be making its debut, but it's being held back at Northern Farm due to sore shins. Great.
If after reading through this lot, people still think that I should be silent and supporting Japanese racing, well, you are welcome to try and talk me around. Just don't expect me to change my decision to finish my campaign here without being armed with some very good reasons not to...
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