Japan’s Kluger on target for Doncaster

Japanese trainer Tomokazu Takano has shrugged off concerns surrounding Kluger’s form, saying the horse was back on track ahead of the upcoming Doncaster Mile.

Takano oversaw Kluger’s early morning work on Tuesday when the seven-year-old galloped over 1400m at Canterbury racecourse in preparation for the $3 million, Doncaster Mile on April 6 at Randwick.

“He’s working well and he’s got no issues, so we are hoping he goes well, fingers crossed,” Takano told reporters.

Star jockey Tommy Berry has been chosen to ride Kluger in the Doncaster.

Kluger arrived in Sydney from Japan a week ago, settling into the quarantine facility at Canterbury Racecourse.

The horse has five wins and six placings from 19 starts – with his most recent win in 2016 in a Group Two 1600m-race at Kyoto – but a minor setback resulted in a form slump.

“We didn’t work him as hard,” Takano said.

“Now he has no issues and is back on track.”

Takano says he is hoping the prevailing wet conditions in Sydney will also spur his horse on to victory.

“We thought that the grass here would suit him better than in Japan, and he doesn’t mind wet ground,” he said.

“He’s had no problem travelling and he has no issues.”

Kluger is at $15 for the Doncaster Mile.