Hekili connections full of confidence

Kane Hekili, the principal Japanese hope in the Dubai World Cup, may come to Europe later in the year as part of an adventurous plan to advertise his stallion potential.

The four-year-old, owned by the ambitious Kaneko Makoto, who also has 2005 Japanese Horse of the Year Deep Impact, is being considered for a tilt at Royal Ascot’s Prince of Wales’ Stakes.

Kane Hekili has won eight of his 12 races, most notably the Japan Cup Dirt last November, where he got up in the last stride under regular rider Yutake Take to deny Seeking The Dia by a neck.

Take was again in the plate for Kane Hekili’s seasonal reappearance last month when he took Tokyo’s February Stakes in impressive fashion.

Trainer Katsuhiko Sumii has told reporters that he was happy to leave the tactics for Saturday’s race to his experienced jockey.

“The jockey has ridden him so many times that he knows best what to do,” said Sumii, speaking through an interpreter.

“He doesn’t have a particular running style. He can come from off the pace or stay close but he seems to prefer being close up, although I think the American horses may have more early pace.

“The dirt is different to the surface we have in Japan but he is getting used to it in his training. He is a very well-balanced horse.

“I am really looking forward to showing the Japanese strength to all with our horse. I think he will win.”

But Sumii admitted that his research into his opponents had hardly been exhaustive.

“It is difficult to compare the form because Japanese racing is very different but all I can tell you is that my horse is in very good condition,” he added.