Even after watching Lord Kanaloa make a one-horse act of the Hong Kong Sprint, Lionel Cohen regrets not being able to test Aeronautical against the Japanese star.
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The Sydney sprinter will instead run in Saturday’s Listed Razor Sharp at Randwick, shortened by 50 metres to 1150m due to the switch of the meeting from the course proper to the Kensington track.
Cohen had designed Aeronautical’s spring/summer campaign around the International Sprint but the horse was snubbed by Hong Kong officials when invitations were issued.
Lord Kanaloa won Sunday Group One race at Sha Tin by a widening five lengths.
“He wouldn’t have beaten the winner but I think he would have run well,” Cohen said of Aeronautical.
“Instead he will be running on the Kensington track over 1150 metres.
“I would have preferred to be running him over 1200 metres on the bigger track but it is what it is.”
The course proper was taken out of play on Saturday after an inspection by stewards, jockeys and officials who decided it has not recovered well enough from a recent renovation to hold the Villiers meeting.
Cohen has engaged leading jockey Hugh Bowman to help counter his reservations about the track and the distance.
The trainer began formulating the Hong Kong plan after Aeronautical ran third behind Shamexpress and Moment Of Change, beaten a short head and a nose, in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March.
“I had a plan and we’ve come this far so he will run and then we’ll think about where to go next,” Cohen said.
“There are various races in the autumn for him like the Newmarket and the TJ Smith.”
Aeronautical was among 16 entries taken for the Razor Sharp on Monday with last-start Starlight Stakes winner Zaratone among them.
Kathy O’Hara, who was injured in a race fall on the eve of the Starlight, has been given the all-clear to return and will be reunited with Zaratone who was ridden by Brenton Avdulla to his most recent win.