Visionary helps take world by storm

Visiting Japanese horseman Toshihide Kiyota is a vivid reminder there will always be a place in the world for vision and hard work, especially at the top.

Kiyota is in Hong Kong as part of an expansive Japanese contingent and is representing the training hero of the Melbourne Cup, Katsuhiko Sumii.

They have Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup outsider Dia de la Novia, who will be handled by another familiar name in Yuichi Fukunaga, of Eishin Preston fame.

The Sumii stable is hot at present and has quickly earned the respect and the fear of rival trainers in most major racing countries. But the highly decorated trainer would be the first to pay tribute to Kiyota for what he has achieved, especially on the international scene.

Kiyota, 38, has always had an interest in horse racing, but in particular, the racing world that existed behind the boundaries of his homeland.

'I went to university in America and have worked overseas in a number of countries,' Kiyota said yesterday. 'I knew the top Japanese horses were right up to the best in the world, but I also knew that the most difficult thing would be getting them to these foreign countries at the top of their form.

'So I learned everything I could about transporting the horses and looking after them in foreign countries and making sure they settle in, that they eat and drink properly. Then I put a proposal to Mr Sumii and told him that if he wanted to be successful in international Group One races I could help him.'