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Johnston clears air over Zindabad demotion

Hong Kong TV viewers may have the wrong impression of Vase challenger Zindabad, according to trainer Mark Johnston. The Scotsman had come across a preview of Sunday's big races as he was channel-hopping on his hotel TV and was keen to point out a discrepancy in the item on Zindabad.

'They said he was demoted from third to sixth in the Canadian International for causing interference on the first turn, but it was because of a problem in the final furlong,' said Johnston, who was out on the track yesterday to see Zindabad have a steady piece of work on the all-weather.

'In fact, it's an important point because the scrimmaging on the first bend disadvantaged my horse as much as any other because he lost his position. He was staying on well when he lent on an unplaced horse, but it was a good run from a far from ideal draw.'

Daliapour, last year's Vase winner, actually caused the problems on the first bend at Woodbine and was demoted from fourth to seventh. He will renew rivalry on Sunday with Zindabad, who has had a 10-week break since that 2,400-metre race and looked fit and well yesterday.

'We had hoped for an invitation to the Japan Cup before we came here, but missing that race may be no bad thing,' Johnston said. 'He lost 10kg on his journey over but he did the same on the trip to Canada. He has put on 4kg since he got here last Thursday and, although he is as light as I would want him to be, he looks in good shape.'

Johnston's stable, which is based in the north of England, combines quality with quantity and he has had 114 winners in Britain this year, the highest of any trainer. That was his eighth consecutive century and next year he will bid to equal Henry Cecil's record of nine in a row. First, though, Johnston is looking for Zindabad to improve on last year's Vase fifth with Murghem. 'Murghem came into the race last year having not run as good a race as Zindabad in Canada, so on that we have a chance of going closer this year,' he said.

Zindabad's best run was probably his close second in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes over 2,400 metres at Royal Ascot in June, and Johnston said there were excuses for some of his more disappointing efforts. 'The going will suit him here and to be honest he has not had his ground all year in England and that explains why his form looks a bit up and down.

'He lost a shoe and stood on a nail in July and that wrecked his mid-season campaign, but I think the interruption may have worked in our favour. He has had a very light campaign for a five-year-old, only having run six times, so he is fresh for this race.'

Zindabad is very stoutly bred, by Shirley Heights out of a Sadler's Wells mare, and Johnston's main concern will come in tomorrow's draw. 'He is a slow starter, so if he's drawn near the inside he could have problems,' the trainer said. 'Sha Tin is a much sharper track than Woodbine and a middle to high draw would give him a bit of room early and more time to find a position. He may not be quick enough to get into his stride for a sharp track like this but he has definitely got the ability to win this type of race.'

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