Right On Cue returns for another crack at G3 Keeneland Cup

Progressive sprinter Right On Cue lines up in the G3 Keeneland Cup for a second time at Sapporo, Japan, on Sunday, 30 August.

The Shamardal entire finished strongly to come home a close fourth in the six-furlong contest 12 months ago before going on to register a breakthrough G3 success with a decisive win in the Keihan Hai over the same trip at Kyoto in November.

He heads back to Sapporo following an easy Stakes win over the Keeneland Cup distance in the UHB Sho on Sunday, 16 August – a race in which he was second in 2019. Yoshihiro Furukawa, who has partnered the Mitsugu Kon-trained five-year-old throughout the past two seasons, takes the ride again.

Harry Sweeney, President of Godolphin in Japan, said: “Right On Cue impressed us greatly with the authoritative nature of his last win. In fact, he caught us somewhat by surprise as he had only entered his trainer’s stable from our Castle Park pre-training facility 10 days before the race and we thought that he might be a little ring rusty. He also surprised his trainer, Kon san, who has reported that the colt has improved greatly from the race and is training really well. We are therefore expecting a really big run from him.

“He is being ridden by Yoshihiro Furukawa, who has ridden the horse on five of his previous victories and is best placed to exploit Right On Cue’s considerable talent. That been said, Diatonic is an elite performer, who will justifiably start as favourite, and has shown previously that he can win by racing prominently or can come from the back. As he is drawn in stall one, we expect he will be in the vanguard.

“Right On Cue’s draw in stall 12 in a six-furlong one-bend race is not ideal and we are hoping that he is not caught wide. In fairness, he was drawn in stall 13 on his last start at this track and, despite cornering very wide, won easily. He has enough early speed to allow his partner to choose a good position.

“Barring traffic issues we expect a huge run and will be disappointed if he does not make the frame.”