Laxon nominates Daniel and Huka Falls for Korean invitational races

Trainer Laurie Laxon is entering Daniel (NZ) (Guillotine) and Huka Falls (NZ) (Align) at the upcoming Korean international invitational races on September 11. The Korea Racing Authority is launching two new races on that day at Seoul Racecourse, the US$855,000 Korea Cup (1800m) and the US$608,000 Korea Sprint (1200m) - formally the Asia Challenge Cup which El Padrino won in 2014 to etch his name in the history books as Singapore's first winner in Korea. Huka Falls and Daniel are being aimed at the 1200m and 1800m race respectively.

While only Singapore and Japan horses participated in the last two editions of the Asia Challenge Cup, it is understood those two races will be opened to horses from Hong Kong, Dubai and Europe.

Laxon said after Thursday's barrier trials that he was heading back to the office to fill out the application forms.

"I think it would be good to be part of Korea's new push for their international races," said the nine-time Singapore champion trainer.

"I was meant to enter Daniel last year after he won the SG50 Trophy (1400m), but CK (owner Phua Chian Kin of Oscar Racing Stable) changed his mind and we concentrated on the local races instead. Unfortunately, he bled shortly after.

"But I thought it would be a good time to go this year. I will ask Michael Rodd to ride Daniel and Huka Falls as well, of course, as he knows him well for having won twice on him early this year."

Daniel, a seven-time winner by Guillotine, has had four runs without winning since a bleeding attack in last September's Group 3 Garden City Trophy (1200m) that sidelined him for six months, but the five-year-old grey's last-start close third to Quechua in the Kranji Stakes A race (1600m) on Sunday was an encouraging sign he may have come right again.

As for Huka Falls, Laxon said that the Align six-year-old's outstanding record of 14 (including seven over 1200m) from his 16 wins being shoo-in for the Sprint race, even if his recent form since his two wins early in January have tapered off.

Trainer Patrick Shaw has also shown some interest in the Korean races, but unlike Laxon, has yet to confirm if he will nominate any horse. He said dual Singapore Gold Cup-Singapore Derby winner and recent winner Quechua might fit the bill for the Cup race.

"I am not sure if he ran on sand in Argentina, but he did win once on Polytrack here (New Year Cup over 1900m). I will think about it," said the South African conditioner.