Damian Lane and Japan lands 2025 QE II Cup
It wouldn't have been a major Hong Kong meeting without Japan shining, and Damian Lane made sure of it as Tastiera stormed home to win the QE II Cup on Champions Day.
Starting as a narrow second elect at $3.70 behind Prognosis ($3.40), Tastiera produced a dominant performance to win the 2000-metre Group 1 by 1¾ lengths, securing a Japanese quinella.
“(Trainer) Noriyuki Hori is an amazing conditioner of horses and this horse is just a star,” Lane said.
“I have had great success for (owners) Carrot Farm and to win for them is a privilege.”
Lane was no stranger to Tastiera, having guided him to third place behind Romantic Warrior and Liberty Island in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup four months earlier.
“He has really matured since I rode him in December and he has grown into a strong boy now and he was really impressive today,” Lane said.
It was a much-needed lift for Lane after an earlier setback when Danon McKinley, his ride in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), bled and failed to finish competitively.
There was more bad luck during the meeting as Liberty Island, after suffering interference near the 350m alongside Goliath, could not complete the race.
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