Racing: Fontera gets start in Japan

Wanganui galloper Fontera has been invited to replace Starbo as New Zealand's representative in the Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan.

Trainer Kevin Myers received the invite last Friday after fellow Wanganui galloper Starbo was withdrawn due to injury, the Dominion Post reported.

Fontera went to Japan last year, finishing second in the lead-up race, the Pegasus Jump Stakes (3350m), before falling in the Nakayama Grand Jump (4250m).

Myers said Fontera was more forward this year, having already had three races including a bold run over 2050 metres at Tauherenikau on Monday.

He missed a race at Wairoa last year when he kicked the stalls and had to be scratched.

"He ended up going to Japan with just two flat runs over 1600 metres," Myers said.

Fontera will head to Japan next month, after another run at Ellerslie.

Isaac Lupton has been booked to ride him in Japan.

Fontera will contest the US$328,000 ($485,000) Pegasus Jump Stakes on March 25 then the US$1.48 million Nakayama Grand Jump on April 15.

- NZPA