Japan has been aiming to achieve its first win in the Group 1, US$4.6 million Hong Kong Mile since 2019. Yasutoshi Ikee believes a change in tactics could lead Soul Rush to bring more international glory on Sunday. Last year, Ikee's horse Soul Rush finished fourth in this race despite a strong closing effort after being held up. The 6-year-old had previously been beaten half a length by Hong Kong's Romantic Warrior in the Yasuda Kinen (G1) over a mile at Tokyo Racecourse in June. But he returned with a big win in the Mile Championship (G1) at Kyoto last month.

Trainer's Strategy and Confidentiality

Ikee said, "Soul Rush is improving compared to last year. But honestly, our strategy last year didn't work well. Hopefully, this year our strategy will be more effective." When asked to elaborate on the strategy, he added with a mischievous smile, "It's confidential." Ikee also trained Zeffiro to take second in last year's Hong Kong Vase (G1) and is keen to make his mark in Hong Kong. He said, "Of course, when sending horses to race, we need to be confident. There are uncertainties and many difficult things in horse racing, but we'll do our best. In the world horse racing industry, everyone is watching, and as a trainer, you need to prove how strong Japanese horses are on the international stage."

Previous Japanese Winners and Jantar Mantar

Admire Mars was the last Japanese horse to win the Hong Kong Mile. He was a 3-year-old who won both the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes and the Mile Cup. Jantar Mantar is also aiming to make history. The 48-year-old trainer Tomokazu Takano has plenty of experience with smart horses, having trained five individual Group 1 winners including the 2015 Japan Cup winner, Shonan Pandora. Jantar Mantar was an unbeaten juvenile Group 1 winner and then claimed the champion 2-year-old colt title. Darley Japan imported his sire, Palace Malice, from America in February this year and he covered 262 mares, which was the highest number in Japan in 2024. In his 3-year-old season, he targeted the Satsuki Sho (G1) and finished second behind Justin Milano in the Kyodo News Hai (G3) as a preparation race. In the Satsuki Sho over 1 1/4 miles, he again finished third behind Justin Milano. Connections then decided to step back to a mile and Jantar Mantar won the Mile Cup (G1) impressively against the Oka Sho (G1) runner-up, Ascoli Piceno, remaining unbeaten over his most favourable distance. In his autumn campaign, he bypassed the Fuji Stakes (G2) due to fever and is now here for the first time in a race since May. Takano said, "It was a minor fever and is no problem now. This is his first international travel, but he is in good form in Hong Kong. Yuga Kawada was on board for his breeze on Wednesday and Kawada was happy with his movement."