Hong Kong sprinter Victor The Winner’s attempt to emulate Aerovelocity’s 2015 G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) triumph has ended in a gallant third at rain-sodden Chukyo Racecourse in Japan on Sunday (24 March).
Sent straight to the front from barrier 10 by jockey Derek Leung, Victor The Winner held the lead until approaching the final 200m when Mad Cool, ridden by Ryusei Sakai, took the lead and appeared destined for an easy win before Namura Clair charged late to cut the margin to a head.
Victor The Winner was beaten three lengths but earned HK$2.236 million for the performance.
The overall winning time of 1m 08.90s was considered outstanding in the soft conditions.
Mad Cool and Victor The Winner could be set for a rematch in the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on 28 April along with Toshin Macau (sixth), Lugal (10th), Matenro Orion (16th) and Champagne Color (17th) who also ran at Chukyo today.