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The G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup winning exploits of trainers John Moore and Mike de Kock have been well exposed but they are not the only previous winners with a shot at 2014 AP QEII Cup glory.
They are joined by the outstanding Japanese duo, trainer Katsuhiko Sumii and jockey Yuichi Fukunaga, who combine with the G1 Japanese St. Leger winner Epiphaneia.
Sumii, 50, who prepared Rulership for a commanding win in the 2012 edition of Hong Kong's 2000m spring feature, was on hand this morning to observe Epiphaneia's steady cantering work on the all-weather track in company with compatriot Uncoiled.
And while fellow Hong Kong visitor de Kock, whose pair Vercingetorix and Sanshaawes stretched their legs on the turf course today, is invariably tagged as the globetrotting trainer, it's an appellation which also sits well alongside Sumii's name given that he has trained G1 winners in the United States, Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Japan.
In fact, Sumii is the most successful international campaigner in the Japanese training ranks having won the G1 HK Mile with Hat Trick (2005), the American Oaks with Cesario (2005), recorded a one-two finish in the 2006 Melbourne Cup with Delta Blues and Pop Rock and won the Dubai World Cup with Victoire Pisa (2011). Not to mention his AP QEII Cup success and his deeds with the great mare Vodka whom he prepared to seven G1 victories.
Cesario, the dam of Epiphaneia, was Sumii's first overseas runner and she was ridden by Fukunaga in a memorable American Oaks victory.
Sumii, who has trained 50 plus Group winners in Japan, ventured to Hong Kong for the first time and won the G1 Hong Kong Mile just six months after his American Oaks victory. His only other runner here was Dia De La Novia who finished seventh in the G1 Hong Kong Cup in 2006, which means he boasts two major prizes from just three runners.
Sumii, this morning, was enthusiastic about his prospects of claiming a third HK major.
“I'm very happy with the horse,” he said. “He's in good condition and I am expecting very much from him on Sunday. This race has been a target for him for some time.”
Sumii said he was proud of his international record and attributed his success to
planning and preparation.“I like to have my horses and my people (staff) well prepared and organised at home before we travel. Not much is then required at your destination and each time we travel everybody becomes more experienced. We are ready,” he said.
Fukunaga, 37, who has a Hong Kong treble on his CV having won the AP QEII Cup aboard Eishin Preston in 2002 and 2003 at his only two rides in the race and also the 2001 G1 HK Mile on the same horse, has been JRA licensed since 1996 and has won 1,607 races including 104 Group races in Japan (to the end of March).
There is little doubt that Sumii and Fukunaga have a legitimate contender in Epiphaneia who has five wins from nine starts and been beaten only a half-length in three of his four defeats.
He was beaten that margin in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) and in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) before taking the last jewel in Japan's Triple Crown with an emphatic five lengths win on soft ground in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) last October – a race which Sumii also won in 2004 with his Melbourne Cup hero Delta Blues.
Epiphaneia has raced just once since that St Leger win; resuming on 6 April with a creditable third behind Japanese Derby winner and Arc fourth Kizuna at G2 level over 2000 metres. He comes to Hong Kong fresh and on the rise, well proven racing right handed and with the ability to perform on good or soft ground.
Epiphaneia box-seated third on the fence before skipping clear to win the St. Leger while he ran on from midfield in his previous victory in the Kobe Shimbun Hai (St. Leger trial) - a race won in 2011 by Orfevre.
