Junko aiming for more Group 1 glory in the Hong Kong Vase.
Trainer Andre Fabré has won the Longines Group 1 Hong Kong Vase twice. Run over a mile and a half (2400m) his victories were in 1999 with Borgia and Flintshire, in 2014. This year he saddles the highly progressive Junko, a last-start winner of the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Bayern at Munich over the same distance as Sunday's race.
Junko is owned by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer (in France their ownership is listed as Wertheimer et Frere), brothers who are third-generation owners and breeders. The family over the decades, dating back to the 1950's, and over the years have cultivated some of the best bloodstock in France. Their most famous horse is Goldikova, one of the greatest 'milers' to grace the turf not only in France but gaining international success in Britain and famously winning three successive Breeders Cup Miles on Turf.
Four-year-old Junko's overall record reads as a progressive horse who is now facing his biggest test to date. From just thirteen race starts he has won six and placed on five other occasions. Connections have always thought highly of him, commencing this season in Qatar, and then moving on to Dubai where he finished sixth in the Dubai Turf (1800m). Junko began to blossom when stepped up to the mile-and-half journey in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in early July finishing third behind Irish Derby winner Westover before winning an extended mile-and-a-half Group 3 at Deaville before his maiden Group 1 success in Germany.
The Wertheimer Brothers retained rider is French Champion jockey Maxime Guyon. He will be aboard Junko in Sunday's race, however missed the winning ride in Germany due to his riding commitments for the Wertheimer's at the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita.
André Fabre gave insight into Junko explaining:
"The good thing is that he is now proven over a mile and a half (2400m).
"Before he was running over a shorter distance, but he's proved that he stays well. That will help him, as will a good pace."
Based on known racing patterns, the speed in this race should suit the two European contenders who like to be on the pace, providing it is steady.
Fabré reflected on Junko's chances in the Hong Kong Vase:
"…very good 'prep' races and in many ways a good racing calendar…racing fit and I'm very happy.
"The races in Hong Kong are getting more and more difficult to win."
On exposed form, there are only three other horses engaged that have won over this trip – Japanese stayer Shahryar, Irish filly Warm Heart and local horse Russian Emperor, all of whom are Group One winners over the distance. Of the trio, both Shahryar and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Warm Heart look like being the two to beat in the race. Both are proven to be multiple Group 1 winners in very strong races over this distance.
