Jantar Mantar and his connections received an ideal boost ahead of the four-time Group 1 hero’s attempt to become the third internationally-trained winner of the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin.

Assigned barrier six on Thursday (23 April) at the FWD Champions Day barrier draw, Jantar Mantar is best known as the first horse to win all four Group 1 mile events open to colts on home soil, and now the son of Palace Malice is aiming to join Variety Club (2014) and Maurice (2016) on the FWD Champions Mile honour roll this Sunday (26 April).

Takashi Matsui, assistant to trainer Tomokazu Takano, said: “It’s a very good draw. It’s not a little too inside and not a little too outside, so it’s very suitable for him because he can jump well from the gate and watch the other horses during the trip.”

Jantar Mantar’s record includes wins in the 2023 G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1600m), 2024 G1 NHK Mile Cup (1600m), 2025 G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) and 2025 G1 Mile Championship (1600m). He is owned by Shadai Race Horse Co Ltd, which is also represented by Masquerade Ball in the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m).

Expected race favourite Jantar Mantar finished 13th in the 2024 HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) behind winner Voyage Bubble, who received barrier 12 for this weekend, while Lucky Sweynesse comes out of gate four.

“Everything has gone well. Our flight was delayed one day, but everything has gone well since. He’s been training very well here, and I have no concerns,” Matsui said. “The field is very competitive. Milers from Hong Kong are very strong, but I think if Jantar Mantar can show his true ability, then I think he will be very competitive as well.”

Docklands (barrier one), Little Paradise (two), Sunlight Power (three), Invincible Ibis (five), Strauss (seven), Red Lion (eight), Chancheng Glory (nine), My Wish (10), Copartner Prance (11), Galaxy Patch (13) and Cap Ferrat (14) complete the line-up.

Manfred Man, who trains Lucky Sweynesse, was delighted with his four-time Group 1 winner’s position before pointing to the competitive nature of this weekend’s 14-runner contest.

“I think it’s a good draw for us. I’m happy – at this moment, everything is fine. I think Jantar Mantar, Voyage Bubble, My Wish, Invincible Ibis and Little Paradise are the biggest challengers,” Man said. “It’s a tough race.”

Sunday’s (26 April) 11-race FWD Champions Day fixture at Sha Tin commences at 12.30pm with the Class 4 FWD Insurance Act Private Handicap (1200m).

By Declan Schuster

Photo: HKJC