The trainer Prognosis wasted no time in inspecting the Cox Plate favourite after arriving in Melbourne from Japan on Friday.
Mitsumasa Nakauchida headed straight from Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport to Werribee to cast his eye over Prognosis ahead of the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday where he is the $3.40 favourite with gambling sites.
And he liked what he saw in the flesh having been kept up to date on the horse’s progress with videos of Prognosis since arriving in Melbourne last month.
“I’ve just raced from the airport to check on the horse and I’m very happy,” Nakauchida said.
“He looks fit, and he looks well, and he seems very happy.
“I have had good support from people here, Mr Kawakami and Paul (Bloodworth) and their videos and they have done a good job with him in keeping all the information updated with me.
“I have to say thank-you for technology.”
Nakauchida does not expect the tight confines of Moonee Valley to restrict Prognosis having handled the track well in a piece of work a little over a week ago.
While a bigger track would be more preferable for Prognosis, the entire has performed creditably on tight tracks, winning at Chukyo and Sapporo.
Nakauchida said he would not be tying jockey Damian Lane down with any instructions but is pleased to see Pride Of Jenni in the race who, most likely, will ensure a strong tempo.
“I will talk tactics with the jockey, but as soon as the gates open, I have to leave it the jockey,” Nakauchida said.
“I have to trust Damian 100 per cent, but a fast pace will suit, not holding, holding and sprinting.”
With all the work done, Nakauchida now wants a track in the good range, admitting it will not be an easy race for Prognosis.
Asked who he thinks the main rival will be, Nakauchida was non-committal.
“It’s a competitive race and all the horses are rivals,” Nakauchida said.
“As long as they are in the race, they have a chance, is the way I look at it.”
