Trainer Takahisa Tezuka has expressed quiet confidence that Masquerade Ball will arrive at Sha Tin Racecourse in peak condition for Sunday’s HK$30 million Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m), as the Japanese contender bids to make his mark on the international stage.
The four-year-old has been acclimatising to Hong Kong following his first overseas trip, with Tezuka noting steady improvement after an initially cautious response to the climate.
“During this week, after he arrived in Hong Kong, he was a sensitive horse, with the heat and humidity here,” Tezuka said. “After he galloped, his appetite has been improving. I think, as I watched him this morning (Friday, 24 April), he is in peak condition at the moment.
“As for today’s trackwork, we considered the track condition because of the rain so we instructed the rider to go easier.”
Masquerade Ball’s preparation has been carefully managed in the lead-up to one of the richest middle-distance races in the region, and Tezuka is hopeful his stable star can rise to the occasion despite facing an elite field.
Among those lining up are Hong Kong’s standard-bearer Romantic Warrior, the accomplished French runner Sosie, and Royal Champion, all proven at the highest level. Masquerade Ball, however, brings compelling credentials of his own, having landed last year’s Tenno Sho Autumn over 2000 metres before finishing a narrow second in the Japan Cup over 2400 metres.
“The line-up this year is very, very brilliant,” Tezuka said. “Romantic Warrior is an exceptionally strong horse, a true hero in Hong Kong. Sosie from France is a good horse, as is Royal Champion.
“I always feel we are the challenger. Of course, my horse is very strong and competitive. As for the other two Japanese horses, they have great form, so I hope to make it very competitive.”
Sunday’s contest will mark Masquerade Ball’s seasonal reappearance, and while some observers believe the 2000-metre trip may fall short of his ideal distance, Tezuka is comfortable with the conditions. The race will also see the colt racing right-handed for the first time since his run in the Satsuki Sho last April.
“I feel 2000 metres is suitable rather than 2400 metres,” he said. “In the past he hasn’t raced on a rain-affected track, so it will be a little bit of a challenge, but having watched trackwork on the grass this morning I have no concerns.”
Looking beyond Sunday, Tezuka indicated that an ambitious international campaign could be on the horizon, with Europe a likely destination later in the year before a possible return to Hong Kong for December’s global showpiece meeting.
“Plans aren’t confirmed yet but the owner is very keen to send him to Europe this summer, and then for an autumn campaign, we have options including international challenges, and of course the Hong Kong International Races is one of them,” he said.
The QEII Cup forms part of an 11-race FWD Champions Day programme at Sha Tin, which begins at 12.30pm with the Class 4 FWD Insurance Act Private Handicap (1200m), setting the stage for one of the standout fixtures on the global racing calendar.
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