Fast Network’s two-race campaign in Japan could be over after the six-year-old finished 15th in the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) at Hanshin this afternoon (Sunday, 6 September), with trainer Dennis Yip blaming a recurring throat issue.

Yip said: “He jumped well, but he only just stayed on over the last 200 (metres). I scoped him after the race and he has had the problem before, but maybe this time, it’s come again – it’s very disappointing.”

Twice Group 1-placed Fast Network settled on the pace from barrier eight as tearaway leader, Puro Magic, strode lengths in front of the main group. Flicker Jab, a clear second throughout, rallied past Puro Magic over the final 50m to prevail by one length.

Group 1 winner Mama Cocha was third as Fast Network faded under jockey Damian Lane. The winning time was 1m 06.90s in the Centaur Stakes, which serves as a lead-up to 27 September’s G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m), Fast Network’s big target this month, and a race previously won by Silent Witness (2005) and Ultra Fantasy (2010) from Hong Kong.

“I will talk to my vet in Hong Kong, and we will decide in the next few days,” Yip said. “It’s the same problem as last year, I’ve sent a video to the vet. If he is like this then no chance in the race (Sprinters Stakes). I won’t upset the horse, but I will talk to the vet and see what he recommends.”

Seven-time winner Fast Network had surgery to release an epiglottic entrapment in May 2025. He last raced when he was fourth to Ka Ying Rising in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), while his declared bodyweight today was 506kg (approx. 1,116lb), down from his most recent race weight of 1,178lb on FWD Champions Day in April.

“He’s fine back in the stables but it was just over the last 200 in the race, he can’t breathe. He travelled well and everything was good, but when he asked him, he had the issue,” Yip said.

After partnering Fast Network, Lane said: “He travelled great. He jumped very well; he was a little bit keen through the early parts, but then settled into a really nice rhythm mid-race. I was confident he was going to run really well but, unfortunately, he just didn’t finish like he normally would.

“He felt really good, he looked in good condition pre-race, and he felt good going to the start.”

Success this afternoon for Flicker Jab lifts his record to seven wins from 12 starts, while his past two victories have come at Group 3 and Group 2 level.

Fast Network makes his way onto the track at Hanshin under Damian Lane.

Fast Network makes his way onto the track at Hanshin under Damian Lane.