HKIR News : Peslier bidding for fourth Group One success in four weeks

11 December 2001

Olivier Peslier was in great heart this morning and looking forward to a busy week. The former French champion arrived in on Monday following an unbelievable run of form which has seen him win Group One events on the last three weekends in Japan, where he has ridden for the last seven winters. "I love Asia", he beamed. "There is an amazing enthusiasm about racing, both here (in Hong Kong) and in Japan. In Japan they love the horses, and are so knowledgeable about the form. It's unbelievable, people queue outside the racecourse all through the night before the big meetings. I am very happy to be back in Hong Kong. Here the racing is so competitive, but this place has been very lucky for me. One of the best days of my career was riding a treble on Hong Kong International race day."

That treble included wins in the Hong Kong Mile on Docksider and in the Vase on Borgia in 1999, and a wonderful win in the International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley in 1998. "The International Jockeys Invitational Challenge on Wednesday is always good fun and competitive. I get to catch up with jockeys from around the world, we have fun but we also all want to win. The atmosphere is electric. I have had a look at my rides for this year and I am very happy. Successful Spirit won the race last year and could go well again, and Born Dragon seems to have a very good chance. Whatever, I will be trying my hardest - I love to win."

Reflecting on his mounts for Sunday, Peslier was again characteristically enthusiastic. "I ride Caitano in the Vase, I think he has even more air miles than me! He is a lovely old horse who tries his hardest. He travelled very well in the Melbourne Cup and looked to have every chance turning in, but just didn't get home. He is dropping back in trip, and if he can reproduce his fourth in the Arlington Million he should go well.

"I ride a very interesting horse from Singapore in the Cup - Saddle Up. I have never sat on him, but I have watched some videos of him and was impressed. His run behind Godolphin's multiple Group One winner, Kutub, in the Gr 1 Singapore Gold Cup, beating other Cup contenders Bocelli and Tapildo, was solid form. He deserves to take his chance.

"The third of my three is probably my best chance, Zenno El Cid, from Japan. He is very good and I like him a lot. He is a front-runner and I think the track will suit him. They often don't go that quick in the International races, which should allow him to dominate early. He won the very good Mile Championship on Japan Cup Day. We sat in second position all the way and he quickened away nicely. I have now been in Japan for seven years and the quality of the horses is improving year on year. They are buying very good young stallions, the racing is very clean and they don't take the horses abroad unless they have a very good chance, as has been proven throughout the year."