This is ‘perfect stage' to show our strength

Dubai: After last year's 1-2 finish in the Dubai World Cup, the Japanese have come in full force this year to what they term as the biggest stage for horse racing.

Speaking at a press conference here yesterday, Yoshito Yahagi, who has a couple of runners on Saturday said: "The Japanese horses and Japan's racing is getting better every year. And this is the perfect stage to show to everyone in the world the progress of Japanese horses and how strong they are."

Yahagi runs Makani Bisty in the inaugural Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup, a turf contest over 16 furlongs and Genten in the UAE Derby.

"Last year I went to Royal Ascot and there I met His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and

Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and we spoke about racing. That helped me to bring my runners to Dubai this year," he said.

Relieved

"I felt very relieved to see their good condition. I think it is hard for horses to keep the best condition when they travel abroad, but they handled the long flight well and have not lost any weight. They are maintaining the same good form at home," he said commenting on the progress of his two runners.

Commenting on Makani Bisty's chances in the Dubai Gold Cup, Yahagi said: "The field is very strong but my horse is strong as well. I am very confident of a good run from Makani Bisty."

Throwing some light on the tactics, Yahagi said he would be glad to see his horse placed in the middle from where he can make a good run.

"This distance is very suitable for him. That is why I have brought him here and I feel it will suit him the most," he added.

On his UAE Derby long-shot, the Japanese trainer said: "Genten has a lot of speed and he is still very young. This will be a good experience for him and after this he will move to Japan."