The 3 Days Leading Up to the Race for Ho O Prosange, a Story I Want to Share Precisely Because of This Timing (Nakayama Grand Jump Support Project)

I believe it has already been reported, but Ho O Prosange, who is scheduled to run in the Nakayama Grand Jump, moved to

Nakayama Racecourse on Tuesday (the 14th).

They say they will start schooling from today (the 15th) and spend the three days leading up to the race at the site of the decisive battle.

"The banquet is the main thing, after all. I think that will be a key point, so I consulted with the jockey, and we decided that we should definitely show it to him..." said the assistant in charge, Assistant Fukuoka.

When I heard from the connections after the race, the atmosphere was that the challenge to the Nakayama Grand Jump would be postponed, and it would likely be the Tokyo Jump Stakes in June.

There is also the Kyoto High Jump in May, but I wondered about the triple jump... Isn't it okay not to challenge that? That was the feeling, after all.

■ The Reason for the Sudden G1 Challenge

When I asked the main jockey, Jockey Onodera, about the background of the G1 entry, he said, "The prep race for horses running in the Grand Jump is basically the Hanshin Spring Jump. I understand that this is outside the theory, and I also know that the interval is tight."

It is with this awareness that we are entering.
That is precisely why I feel the weight of the words that follow.

"But, even if we let him rest and prepare for the winter, I wonder if he could run in this condition... So, we decided to give it a try."

Assistant Fukuoka also said, "If there had been any fatigue after the race, we would have stopped, but not only was there no fatigue, there was even an atmosphere that he was getting better. Since this is the case, I think we can look forward to it."

After the final training on Sunday (the 12th), this week is only for adjustments at Nakayama Racecourse. They say they will not do any final training and will focus on teaching him the course.

"He was finished with the final training on Sunday. He has improved a lot and has the motivation to run, but at the same time, he is settled where he should be. He is in good condition both mentally and physically," he said.

With no media coverage, the jockey and the assistant in charge will make quiet adjustments together.
It looks like it will be an intense three days.

■ Actually, I am indifferent to jump races

...And up to this point, it was content that even Tokyo Sports might write, but from here on, it will be content that is typical of me (laughs).

When I was talking to Assistant Fukuoka in front of the stable, he suddenly said something that hit the nail on the head.

"But, Mr. Matsunami. You have no interest in steeplechase, right?"

As expected, he knows me well (laughs).
Yes, that is correct.
I have no interest in jump races... or rather, I don't know what makes a strong horse.

That is why I try not to touch on it much.

Previously, when I was doing paddock commentary for the Green Channel, I said, "In terms of appearance in the paddock, it is like this, but I don't know at all about important things like jumping. I haven't seen the final training either."

I have honestly expressed my feelings like that before.

The following week, a familiar training assistant came up to the stand and said, "I was surprised because you clearly said 'I don't know.' You are a commentator, after all, so that is not good."

After he gave me that advice with a wry smile, he added, "But, it is good to be honest. It is much more pleasant than pretending to know."

I am in charge of training, but my main battlefield is the woodchip track.
When I have free time, I watch the polytrack and turf, but I don't watch jump practice at all.

Therefore, it is better to refer to the predictions of professionals in that area.
It is better to look at the judgments of people like Mr. S from a certain company.

That is my way of thinking, I am sorry (wry smile).

■ Why I, who am usually passive, am becoming active

So, what is the reason I, who am usually passive about jump races, decided to feature Houou Prosange?

It is simply because the way he won his first two jump races was cool.

His jump debut was a massive three-second victory. In his second race, the Miki Horseland Park Jump Stakes, he also won by 10 lengths over the runner-up. The third-place horse was another 8 lengths behind, but the way he pulled away was just something else!

Zooming?
Whooshing?

I don't know much about jump races, but I just thought, 'Hey, that looks kind of cool...'

I'm genuinely rooting for him with a feeling I wouldn't expect to have after nearly 30 years as a horse racing reporter (laughs).

On top of that, 'He started jumping at the end of February. It hasn't even been two months yet. When I got curious and looked it up, I found that TM Dragon, who made his jump debut at the end of October, won the Nakayama Daishogai at the end of the year. But this is a little shorter than that. If he wins, wouldn't it be a record?'

That's what I heard from assistant trainer Fukuoka.
Isn't it incredibly exciting to have a horse you're rooting for set a record?

By the way, the horse's purchase price at the Select Sale was over 400 million yen. That's also quite a hot topic, isn't it?

'I get asked that a lot. Things like, "How much longer until you break even?" or "How many G1 races do you need to win in a row?"' Jockey Onodera said with a bitter smile.

But I'm interested in things other than that.
'Paying attention because it just looks cool'—aren't I still quite pure myself? (laughs)

How will this newcomer to the hurdle world perform in a race that includes the absolute champion, Ecoro Duel?

Nakayama this weekend isn't just about the Satsuki Sho!
With a feeling close to that of a fan... or rather, with a mindset almost entirely like a fan, I look forward to enjoying the 4 minutes and 50 seconds.

By the way, he is also quite adorable in his stall.
It has absolutely nothing to do with his jumping, though (bitter laugh).