Javier Castellano will attempt to succeed in Hong Kong on Wednesday night where he failed over this past weekend in Hanshin, Japan, when he represents the United States in the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys Challenge at Happy Valley Racecourse.
Castellano and fellow American Edgar Prado were shut out of the winner's circle at Hanshin on Saturday and Sunday in the World Super Jockeys Series, won by German-based Andreas Suborics.
Woodbine Mile winner Becrux has been withdrawn by Team Valor from the $2 million Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Dec. 10. Suffering from a quarter crack before his seventh-place finish in the Citation Handicap at Hollywood Park on Nov. 24, Becrux did not come out of that effort as well as trainer Neil Drysdale had hoped. The trainer, however, has not ruled out a later trip to Hong Kong for Becrux for the $1 million Champions Mile on April 29.
The stewards of the Hong Kong Jockey Club ruled on Monday to deny Kieren Fallon a license to ride there, saying their decision is in keeping with the club's policy of not issuing licenses to riders who are the subject of law inforcement investigations.
Deep Impact returned to his winning ways with a thoroughly convincing and popular victory in the $4.13 million Japan Cup at Tokyo on Sunday, beating his main rivals, Ouija Board, who ran third, and Heart's Cry, who finished 10th.
Sunday's $4.1 million, 1 1/2-mile Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse has a definitive look about it as local heroes Deep Impact and Heart's Cry square off against the superb British mare Ouija Board in the latest East-West international Thoroughbred matchup.
Becrux and Rebel Rebel, the first two finishers in the Woodbine Mile, head the list of American horses selected for the Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Dec. 10. Nearctic Stakes winner Fast Parade has been invited to line up for the Hong Kong Sprint on the same day.
Daiwa Major beat Dance in the Mood to the line for the fourth time this year Sunday at Kyoto when he prevailed by a neck in the $1.65 million Mile Championship.
In the third Grade 1 victory of his career, Daiwa Major covered the mile on firm ground in a swift 1:32.70, just .60 of a second off the track record set in last year's race by Hat Trick, who came home eighth on Sunday, just behind British invader Court Masterpiece.
Court Masterpiece will challenge Japan's best milers in Tokyo on Sunday in the $1.65 million Grade 1 Mile Championship, in which he will meet Daiwa Major, winner of the Autumn Tenno Sho, and Dance in the Mood, winner of the CashCall Mile.
Deep Impact has been officially disqualified from his third-place finish in the Prix de lArc de Triomphe, the stewards at France-Galop announced on Thursday.
Traces of the banned medication ipratropium were found in Deep Impacts system following a routine urine sample taken after the Oct. 1 Arc. Legal in Japan but not allowed in France, ipratropium is a breathing medication applied through an inhaler. Trainer Yasuo Ikee, who has been fined 15,000 euros ($19,235) for his part in the affair, has taken full responsibility for the mishap.