Tag Archive for: Satono Reve

Moreira narrowly fails to weave Ascot magic for Japan

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Top international jockey João Moreira may have came up short in his quest to add a Royal Ascot winner to his decorated CV, but he was proud of the vanquished Satono Reve in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

The Brazilian pilot, known as the ‘Magic Man’, has ridden big winners around the globe and was entrusted with providing Japan with a first victory at the Royal meeting when receiving the leg-up aboard Noriyuki Hori’s ace sprinter – who was sent off the 2-1 favourite for the final Group One of the week.

Having been subject to persistent money since advertising his wellbeing in a recent Newmarket gallop, the six-year-old travelled through the contest in sublime style for Moreira.

However, he met a determined rival in Lazzat in the closing stages and when the duo began to duel late into the piece, it was Jerome Reynier’s French raider who came out on top in the international showdown for sprinting supremacy.

“We went into the race with a lot of confidence, the horse was so well in himself but unfortunately we bumped into a very good horse today,” said Moreira.

“Lazzat’s form indicated he would be a danger and he had been winning impressively on his home ground.

“Halfway through I thought I had him done, but he just had another kick and kept attacking the line. I was closing up the gap but we just bumped into a good horse today and my horse ran really well.

“We thought we had a really good crack and unfortunately we just bumped into a really good horse. I can’t complain, he tried his very best.

“It’s a pleasure to be at a festival like this – of course finishing second is not the best result, but I still have to be happy with that.”

While the Wathnan Racing team were able to celebrate feature race success for the headline signing from their pre-Ascot delve into the transfer market, they were also delighted with the performance of fellow new signing Flora Of Bermuda.

Andrew Balding’s admirable filly was narrowly denied by Inisherin at York on her return to action and in her first outing in the peacock blue and old gold silks, she again hit the frame with a brave third in the hands of PJ McDonald.

“She’s run an absolute blinder and she was just a little bit free early,” said Wathnan’s Richard Brown.

“She’s run another very solid race, she’s so consistent. I’d be hopeful that one of these might drop her way and she had some very good horses behind her.

“These two (Lazzat and Satono Reve) have obviously gone a long way clear, but she’s finished best of the rest.”

Satono Reve settling in well as Royal Ascot support continues

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Confidence is building that Satono Reve can become the first Japanese-trained winner at Royal Ascot.

The sprinter is in the care of Noriyuki Hori, who is a leading handler in his homeland and will have his first runner at the Royal meeting when his six-year-old lines up in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in the hands of top international jockey Joao Moreira.

Satono Reve had the assistance of Ryan Moore as he underwent his final preparations for his Ascot assignment on Newmarket’s July course on Wednesday morning, with Hori happy with how his contender has settled into his temporary surroundings in British racing’s heartland.

Ryan Moore rode Satono Reve at Newmarket
Ryan Moore rode Satono Reve at Newmarket (Adam Morgan/PA)

“After arriving from Hong Kong, Satono Reve had some time to recover before steadily building up his training,” said Hori.

“We completed his final gallop before the race – a five-furlong piece on the July course at Newmarket, ridden by Ryan Moore.

“Although it’s a different environment from what he’s used to, he’s been coming along well thanks to the warm support of James Horton, his team and everyone involved.”

There have been 10 previous attempts to find the Royal Ascot scoresheet by Japanese challengers, but Satono Reve brings top-class form to the table having enjoyed Grade One success at home and also twice chasing home Hong Kong sprint sensation Ka Ying Rising.

His odds for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes have tumbled in recent days, as the case for his challenge has become more evident, with Paddy Power making him a 6-1 chance for the final Group One of the meeting on Saturday week.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “There’s been a bit of interest for the Japanese raider and while it’s hard to equate winning a Grade One at Chukyo with the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, the volume we’ve seen has forced us into evasive action and the Hori-trained runner is into 6-1.”