Japanese galloper Prognosis settles into Werribee in preparation for Cox Plate

Intelligence from clashes with last year’s winner Romantic Warrior is being put to good use in Japanese visitor Prognosis’s quest for Cox Plate glory this month.

Last year’s winner Romantic Warrior, rather than a triumphant compatriot, inspired the connections of classy Japanese galloper Prognosis to have a crack at the Cox Plate later this month.

Race sponsor Ladbrokes race Prognosis, a dual Group 2 winner in his homeland, as the $4.20 Cox Plate favourite ahead of local star Pride Of Jenni with less than three weeks until the $5m showpiece at The Valley.

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Lys Gracieux was the first Japanese visitor to win the Cox Plate in 2019 in her second last start before retirement.

Damian Lane, who has been a smash hit with Japanese punters in multiple stints riding in the rich jurisdiction, rode Lys Gracieux and will be aboard Prognosis on October 26.

Lane has not ridden Prognosis in a race with Hong Kong-based Australian Zac Purton and regular rider Yuga Kawada steering the stallion in his clashes with Romantic Warrior in Hong Kong.

Romantic Warrior has beaten Prognosis three times in their meetings but a head separated the pair when they last raced in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in April.

Japanese raider Prognosis at the Werribee quarantine centre as he prepares for the Cox Plate at The Valley. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Assistant trainer Yasunari Kiyoyama, representing trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida, said the races against Romantic Warrior gave Prognosis’s connections a deep insight into what it took to win a Cox Plate.

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“He’s not far off Romantic Warrior, which is part of the consideration to come to the Cox Plate,” Kiyoyama said.

“But, at the same time, we know how good Romantic Warrior is and he only just won last year.

“That really made us think about the quality of the race and how tough and hard this race is.”

Kiyoyama said Prognosis has overcome the first hurdle of the trip to Melbourne and had settled into his temporary home at the Werribee quarantine centre.

He said the longer quarantine period than Hong Kong left the stable with the task of keeping Prognosis in the perfect mindset for an extended period.

Third time lucky in Hong Kong? 🇭🇰

PROGNOSIS returns with a slashing win in the G2 Kinko Sho and may now aim to go one better in the G1 QEII Cup at Sha Tin!#プログノーシス | #金鯱賞 | #クイーンエリザベス2世カップ | #HKRacing | @HKJC_Racing | #競馬pic.twitter.com/De3EZpLx3e

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) March 10, 2024

“We weren’t worried about the travel,” Kiyoyama said.

“But it is a new environment and he had a little concern but he just got over it nicely and settled in really well.

“It’s a big difference. If you include quarantine in Japan, at Tokyo Racecourse, it’s almost a month and a half or six weeks in quarantine away from a training centre.

“We carefully controlled the horse to keep him in the right place.

“We don’t want to get him switched on too much or relaxed too much in the time between races.”

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Romantic Warrior had a lead-up run in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes and two gallops at The Valley in the lead-up to his Cox Plate win.

Kiyoyama said the stable would give Prognosis at least one look at The Valley once his quarantine period expired while connections had also started discussions about tactics with Lane.

Prognosis’s tendency to miss the start was also a consideration.

“Being a tricky course like Moonee Valley, with Prognosis’s usual racing pattern, it’s probably not suitable but we know that.

“As we know he misses the kick, we’ve had a good chat with Damian Lane and we’ll do what we can to prepare him tactics-wise as well.

“He’ll be well-prepared.”