While connections of Good Ba Ba debate the pros and cons of a trip back to the Yasuda Kinen this year, trainer John Size had no hesitation in earmarking the US$1.85 million race in Tokyo as the next assignment for Armada after finishing second in the Champions Mile.
Size has been reluctant to travel horses overseas but with last year's champion miler on an upward plane now following his return from a year off the track, and with the season all over for Armada domestically, the Australian was keen to press on to the June 8 date.
'He's run well in second and usually the second horse here gets an invitation to Tokyo, so I'm hoping that will be the case,' Size said, and with or without Good Ba Ba's presence in the Yasuda Kinen, the trainer believes that a better version of Armada will be seen next time out.
'I'm pretty happy with that today. He settled even though they didn't go as fast as he would like, covered a little ground but went home well. No excuses, the winner was too good, but it was Armada's third run after a year away and he's still a bit ring rusty.
'I thought his run when he won last time and his run today were quite similar and he gives the impression he'll kick at his next start. When Good Ba Ba went to him today he was going to win by three lengths and it may be that Good Ba Ba relaxed once he hit the front but I was still pretty happy with the way Armada stayed with him.'
Douglas Whyte was equally impressed by Armada's progress and said he felt more like his old self but not quite.
