November 22, 2014 (Saturday)

<At Tokyo Racecourse>

Up With the Birds (CAN, C4, bay)

“The trip took a little bit out of him, but by Tuesday he was back on his feet and he’s back to his normal self—he bounced back pretty quickly actually. We’ll be working him tomorrow on the main track (turf). The trainer should be arriving here on Thursday.”

(comments taken from Mark Ramsammy)

November 23, 2014 (Sunday)

<At Tokyo Racecourse>

Weather: Fine
Going: Standard (dirt course)

Up With the Birds (CAN, C4, bay)

- jogged 1/2 lap, cantered ~ galloped 800m (4F:54.8, 3F:40.3, 1F:13.6) (dirt course)
(exercised from 7:02 to 7:14, ridden by Mark Ramsammy)

“He’s adapting pretty good to the new environment. We just wanted him to work easy this morning—stretch his legs a little bit. We might canter him over the turf somewhere between Wednesday and Friday, just to get a look around the course and check the footing, but he’s not going to do anymore speed work.
The trainer and jockey will be here on Thursday morning and we’re hoping that the jockey will sit on the horse at least once since it’s his first time at the Tokyo course.
Tomorrow, the horse will only be hand-walked around the stables.”

(comments taken from Mark Ramsammy)

The following horse entered in the 34th Japan Cup was transported to Tokyo Racecourse, leaving the Horse Racing School quarantine facilities in Shiroi at 10:55 and arriving at the international stables at 13:15. Comments taken from the connections upon arrival are as follows:

Trading Leather (IRE, C4, bay)

“It took 23 hours to get here from door to door, and it was straight forward. We weighed him 24 hours after arrival and he lost like only four kilos at that stage. He didn’t lose a lot of weight and he’s been more or less maintaining the same weight. His best weight is between 485 and 490kg’s. He’s been trained with this race in mind for a while and he hasn’t had a busy season, so he’s in good condition.
He was very fit leaving home so we’re just maintaining fitness really. Tomorrow we’ll just do some regular work—just jog one round on the track and probably just canter one round.”

(comments taken from Pat O’Donovan)

November 24, 2014 (Monday)

<At Tokyo Racecourse>

Weather: Fine
Going: Standard (dirt course)

Trading Leather (IRE, C4, bay)

- jogged 3/4 lap right-handed, cantered 1 lap left-handed, walked 1/4 lap right-handed (dirt course)
(exercised from 7:39 to 7:58, ridden by Pat O’Donovan)

“He just stretched his legs this morning and he did a right-handed jog just to let him see his new environment. He’s in good form and he’s moving well. He’s traveled very well also. It’s not too cold and not too warm and the climate is perfect.
He was trained specifically for this race. He’s had a light season and since his last start in September, he regularly did some fast work once a week. He’s had his fast work done and he was very fit coming here, so all we want to do is maintain his fitness. I’m not sure if the jockey will sit on him on Thursday or not, but the jockey knows the horse very well. In his fast work at home, he would ride him all the time.
The track here is a good galloping track which he likes. With a slight climb as well, it’s probably similar to Leopards Town, even though it’s bigger—we have no concerns about the track and he needs quick ground.
Tomorrow’s work will be basically the same as today, maybe a little bit more “

(comments taken from Pat O’Donovan)

Up With the Birds (CAN, C4, bay)

- hand-walked within stable area from 7:13 to 7:49

“The gallop yesterday was very easy and quiet. He came out of it very well and he’s in very good condition. We just wanted to let him stretch his legs—not do too much and he won’t do any more fast work till the race. The stretch is very long here but it shouldn’t bother him.
Tomorrow we will just do an easy canter on the dirt. We will take him out on the turf somewhere between Wednesday and Friday, maybe on Wednesday. “

(comments taken from Mark Ramsammy

fonte : Horse Racing in Japan