The success of Son Also Rises spilled into the new racing season as it ruled the Philippine Racing Commission’s 2019 Japan Cup Stakes Race at the Manila Turf Club Race Track in Malvar and Tanauan City, Batangas on Sunday.
With Japan Racing Association representatives Hiroyuki Koezuka and Teruhisa Nishiyama watching at the VIP lounge of the the Metro Turf track, Son Also Rises and its star jockey Kelvin Abobo made their move in the final 75 meters to claim the Japan Cup Stakes Race showcasing seven local and imported horses four years old and older
The win was worth P300,000, courtesy of the sponsoring Philracom.
It was a fitting follow-up win for the Benhur Abalos Jr.-owned Son Also Rises, which also ruled last December’s Philracom Grand Sprint Championship title, also at the Malvar track.
“Maganda ‘yung ipinakita ng kabayo ko kasi beterano na siya sa laban,” said Abobo of his prized horse, who has given their partnership three stakes race wins already. “Pero sa mga regular races, mas marami na kaming pinanalunan.”
The star jockey was himself owner of five wins out of five races during the weekend racing at Metro Turf.
Son Also Rises ran third for the most part and eventually made it a two-horse battle with Lakan in the last 400, with the six-year-old horse finally getting the lead in the final 75 and taking the 1,400-meter race by a thrilling half a length.
“Sinunod lang namin ‘yung game plan na sundan ‘yung mga matutulin. Noong hinihila na ako ng kabayo ko, binigay ko na ‘yung gusto niya. Gusto niya na kuhanin ‘yung harapan at gi-nuide ko lang siya. Tinipid ko, hanggang sa maka-buwelo siya para mayroon pa s’yang maibubuga. Noong last 300 meters, tingin ko nanalo na ako,” added Abobo.
Mar Tirona’s Lakan (7YO male) settled for the P112,500 runner-up purse, while Summer Romance (5YO male) placed third, worth P62,500.
Others winners on Sunday were Willing Willie (Race 1), King Curry (Race 2), Tanforan (Race 3), Magical Bell (Race 5), Mighty Bon (Race 6), Can You Giub (Race 7), Lemon Drop Title (Race 8), Hantik (Race 9), Magaskawee (Race 10) and Ace Up (Race 11).
The JRA has been a big partner of Philippine horse-racing for years. Only last year, the Philracom sought the advice of Japanese Racing Association Facilities Co. LTD. Director Kazuhiro Youfu and JRA Facilities Co. LTD. Adviser Sadamichi Imabayashi to help raise the standards of the Philippines’ three premier racetracks – MJCI’s San Lazaro Leisure & Business Park at Lantic, Carmona, Cavite; the Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park (Santa Ana Park) Race Track at Sabang, Naic, Cavite, and the Metro Manila Turf Club.
“The JRA has been an ally of the Philracom for years. It is a partnership that has raised our racing standards as we hope to further strengthen this bond in the years to come,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez.