The prestigious Sprinters Stakes (G1), marking the first Group 1 race of Japan's second half of 2024, will take place at Nakayama Racecourse on September 29.
This year's lineup features 16 competitors in the 1,200-metre (approximately six furlongs) race, boasting a total purse of ¥368.2 million (roughly US$2.55 million). Among the contenders are two entrants from Hong Kong: Victor the Winner, trained by Danny Sham, and Mugen, prepared by Pierre Ng. They arrived at Narita Airport on September 17 and are currently undergoing a quarantine period at Shiroi Horse Racing School, set to relocate to Nakayama on September 24.
Mugen is making his first trip to Japan after earning his inaugural graded victory on June 23 in the Premier Cup (G3) at Sha Tin. Meanwhile, Victor the Winner previously raced in Japan in March, where he secured third place in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) at Chukyo, prior to winning the Centenary Sprint Cup (G1) on January 28 at Sha Tin.
While the local field features strong competitors, including Mad Cool, the winner of the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, and last year's Sprinters Stakes champion Mama Cocha, a leading hope for Japan is Satono Reve, trained by Noriyuki Hori. The lightly raced 5-year-old son of Lord Kanaloa has triumphed in his last three outings, including the Hakodate Sprint Stakes (G3) on June 9 and the Keeneland Cup (G3) on August 25. Notably, he remains unbeaten in three starts at Nakayama, which may be his preferred venue.