Fast Network will begin his two-race campaign in Japan this Sunday (6 September) when the six-year-old contests the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) at Hanshin, serving as his final lead-up race before the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) on 27 September at Nakayama.

After arriving in Japan on 25 August and quarantining at Miki Horseland Park, Fast Network – who is twice Group 1-placed from 20 starts – was transferred to Hanshin’s international stables on 31 August and completed a stalls test earlier this week, much to the delight of Dennis Yip as the trainer chases overseas glory.

“He’s settled in well and his eating is very good. He transferred to Hanshin Racecourse this week and everything is fine. Everything is under control; I am happy and he jumped out of the gates on Tuesday (1 September). I’m happy with all of it,” Yip said.

Hanshin, located just outside of Osaka, is one of Japan’s premier racecourses, which plays host to five Group 1 contests annually. The track differs from Sha Tin and will see Fast Network travel downhill from the 800m to the 200m before a stiff climb over the final 200m, shaping as a timely test for the horse, with Nakayama featuring a similar finish.

Yip, who began training in 2002/03 and sits on 899 wins in Hong Kong, travelled Red Pepper to Japan for Brian Kan – a five-time champion trainer – to contest the 2002 G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m). This time, he is savouring the experience with his own team.

“My son is there – he is my assistant trainer (at Conghua), my trackwork rider and the mafoo are also there,” Yip said. “I went in 2002 – but this time it’s my horse. I learned a lot from that trip – it was a very good experience with my boss (Brian Kan). Now it’s my son who is learning from me. He loves it and he has a lot of ideas. It’s good.”

Damian Lane, a Group 1-winning rider at Hanshin, takes the mount this weekend on Fast Network, who is currently the third-highest-ranked sprinter locally in Hong Kong, rated 121, behind only Ka Ying Rising (142) and Lucky Sweynesse (123).

“My son spoke to Damian Lane – he will race on Saturday (5 September) in Japan and then on Sunday he will ride my horse. He knows the track,” Yip said.

Fast Network won twice last season and placed third in consecutive Group 1 races behind Ka Ying Rising before an early spell in preparation for his overseas campaign. The gelding’s biggest win came in the 2025 G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin.

Diamond Knot, Red Mon Reve, Flicker Jab, Puro Magic and Mama Cocha shape as the Japanese side’s leading contenders in Sunday’s 40th running of the Centaur Stakes.

Red Mon Reve enters the Centaur Stakes after a last-start second in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) behind Satono Reve, while Diamond Knot – a Group 2 victor over 1400m – also lines up after a fifth in the G1 NHK Mile Cup (1600m).

Group 1-winning seven-year-old mare Mama Cocha returns following two starts on the dirt, while the front-running Puro Magic heads into the race after successive Group 3 victories at Hakodate and Niigata, enhancing her tally to five wins in the grade.

The G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) from Hanshin will be simulcast in Hong Kong at 2.30pm (Hong Kong time) on Sunday, 6 September.

Photo: JRA

By Declan Schuster