Former Kiwi tackles Japanese feature

Former New Zealand-trained stayer Werther will be in action in Japan on Sunday when he contests the Gr.1 TakarazukaKinen (2200m).

Werther’s road to the TakarazukaKinen has not been the smoothest, but connections remain confident of a big performance in Sunday’s 325 million yen (about NZ$4.3 million) feature.

The Tavistock gelding, trained by John Moore, was barred from racing for three months, having bled after producing the second-fastest Sha Tin 2000m time on record when runner-up in February’s Gr.1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup. Werther then had a less than ideal warm-up when sixth under top-weight in the Gr.3 Lion Rock Trophy (1600m) first-up on June 3.

And while the three-time Group One winner has taken the trip in his stride, it has been eventful enough after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Osaka on Monday. At that time, the six- year-old was completing his quarantine period at Miki Horse Land Park, 50 kilometres west of Osaka.

“To be honest, it probably had more impact on us than it did on him,” said the Moore stable’s trackwork rider Romain Clavreul.

“We definitely felt it quite strongly. It is obviously something that doesn’t happen in Hong Kong, but I don’t think it fazed him at all.”

Werther took to the Hanshin turf just after dawn Thursday morning, looking eager and full of zest as he stepped onto the rain-slicked surface. Cantering up to the top of the straight, Clavreul wheeled him around to complete a lap and a half of the course, galloping the last 1200m.

“The boss asked me to gallop 1200m in about one minute 24 seconds,” Clavreul said.

“It’s a fairly tight course so I took him to the top of the straight and I then let him start to build up from the 1600m. He did it very well, he handled the track and the uphill part in the straight.”

Clavreul, who has been with Moore since early March and has ridden Werther throughout his current preparation, said that the forecast of rain is a bonus.

“He loved the softer surface this morning, that layer of cushion on top really helped him and took him to another level,” the Frenchman said. “It looks like it might be wet on Sunday and I think that will really suit him.”

Werther commenced his career in New Zealand under the tutelage of trainer Andrew Campbell. He won three of his 10 New Zealand starts including the Gr.2 Championship Stakes (2100m) before rounding out his three-year-old campaign with a runner-up finish in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2200m).

Sold to Chen after his Australian campaign, Werther has won a further six races in Hong Kong, including four at Group One level.

Werther is rated a $12 chance in a market headed by last year’s Japanese Derby runner-up and dual Group One winner Satono Diamond at $3.75.