English/Ire
Docklands ready to face next challenge in Kyoto
After an exceptional year, Docklands is ready to face his next challenge in the Group 1 Mile Championship at Kyoto Racecourse, Japan.
The consistent Docklands provided young trainer Harry Eustace with a landmark first top-level success in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, defeating a field of established and high-class milers.
It continued a love affair with Ascot that Docklands had held for years: with three of his four career victories coming at the Berkshire track. He continued to uphold the form elsewhere for the remainder of the season, finishing one-and-a-quarter length behind Diego Velazquez in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois before returning to his beloved Ascot for a fourth in a muddling Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
The Group 1 Mile Championship in Japan was cited as a next target, with Eustace hoping to end the season with further wins.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Eustace said: "Docklands seems to have travelled pretty well, albeit it's not as straightforward as other international meetings. He had to quarantine in Tokyo after a long journey and then he had an 11-hour lorry journey from Tokyo to Kyoto. Doing two journeys back-to-back is the toughest part, but I am delighted with how he is. He worked super this morning, and we're really looking forward to Sunday.
"His weight is pretty close to where it was before the Queen Anne, and he looks very well. Mentally, he's always been very tough, and he's done these international trips before, so the rigmarole isn't new for him. Those two things are a massive plus for him."
The Japanese style of racing is expected to suit Docklands, although Kyoto's right-handed bend poses a different challenge to the straight course at Ascot.
"Obviously, Sunday's race at Kyoto is around a right-handed bend, which might not seem to be his perfect set-up," added Eustace.
"However, the big thing for us about Japan is that they tend to go a good end-to-end gallop. Previously when he's run around a bend, it's been in steadily run races, where the sprint for home hasn't suited him. Hopefully the way Sunday goes will allow him to show himself off as best as possible."
More international travel beckons for Docklands after Kyoto, with a return to Hong Kong a possible option.
"I'm very keen to go to Hong Kong with him if he runs well on Sunday. I know that Sha Tin might not suit him quite as well as other tracks, but the nominations for this year's Mile didn't look so strong, and it looks like last year's winner will be going to the mile-and-a-
quarter. If he comes out of Sunday well, we'll be seriously considering a trip back there again in December."
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