Witness loses footing and Felix
Champion sprinter momentarily stumbles but beast and jockey are given clean bill of health
The world's champion sprinter, Silent Witness, caused a scare when he lost Felix Coetzee and got loose for more than a lap of Nakayama racecourse yesterday on the eve of a Sprinters' Stakes he must win to justify his place in international rankings.
Out for his usual slow saunter on the day prior to racing, Silent Witness was going quietly along the back straight on the dirt course when he momentarily lost his footing in the loose dirt.
'He was just on a turn and stumbled, and somehow Felix went over the top,' said trainer Tony Cruz, who was unperturbed. 'Silent Witness broke away and probably went about one and a quarter rounds before we caught him but he was only going half pace. I don't think it would have taken much out of him.'
When the gelding was caught, Cruz had both horse and rider vetted immediately with a clean bill of health for both.
'The vet was on to Silent Witness straight away and there's nothing wrong with him. Felix saw the doctor and got some X-rays done to be sure. He's quite OK,' Cruz said.
It was an eventful wind-up to Silent Witness's preparation for today's $12 million final Global Sprint Challenge leg, where he comes back to his pet sprint distance of 1,200m after consecutive mile defeats to end last season.
While the 'Spirit of Hong Kong' has been the superior sprinter of the past two years and deserving his place at the top of international classifications, there is no doubt he must win away from Sha Tin to continue to justify that ranking and to lift his international rating above 123. As Cruz said, 'today is his day'.
Despite a wide draw, Silent Witness may be able to use his own early brilliance to get dragged over to a good position behind the leaders.
'There's a couple of other very fast horses out where he is drawn and that could help Felix to find a position,' said Cruz. 'He's a great chance to win. I'm not worried about what happened this morning and I couldn't be happier with the horse.'
Silent Witness has backrunners drawn either side, with the major speed in the race in barriers two (TM Churasan), nine (Calstone Light O) and the very quick Gallant Arrow in 16. Most commentators expect Coetzee to track the speedsters and stalk them in third or fourth place if the pace is hot.
David Oughton issued a 'delighted' bulletin on race eve for Cape Of Good Hope, who will be crowned Global Sprint Champion earlier during today's meeting with the family of the late owner Ronald Carstairs on hand for the presentation. 'Ron's wife, Pat, son Guy and daughter Emma are and his other son James doubtless will be glued to the telecast in Hong Kong. I suppose mentally it's a plus, we've a winner before he even races,' said Oughton. 'I'm delighted with the horse. I think he is a couple of lengths behind Silent Witness but maybe the different track and travelling can narrow that to a length and I'll be pleased with that. Anything better than second is a bonus.'
The Japan Racing Association has issued an 'odds guide' on the race with Silent Witness listed as a 2-1 favourite, local runner Durandal at 3-1, Cape Of Good Hope at 8-1 and Admire Max 9-1, Precious Cafe 15-1 and She Is Tosho 16-1, the only other runners under 20-1.
