Change of Pace for Mount Fuji

Trainer Gillian Heinrich believes the quieter life at Aquis Park will assist $2.8 million yearling Mount Fuji (Snitzel-Ichihara, by General Nediym) find form, according to racingqueensland.com.au. "We purchased Mount Fuji four weeks ago and he has settled into the Gold Coast life absolutely beautifully," she said. "He seems to love it here with the sun on his back. He is very, very relaxed and we have not had any problems with him. We have just started to gallop him and he will go to the trials in about a fortnight." Heinrich picked up Mount Fuji for $75,000 at an Inglis Online Auction, a far cry from the huge price he made as a yearling at the 2019 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. "We are only a small stable so there is plenty of room for individual attention – which is something that a horse like him will like. I could not be happier with the way he is going. I am sure he will win races up here as he will be going into easier class races up here compared to what he raced down south. Obviously, [being] a $2.8 million horse – unless he is going to be a Group winner – it is not really what they are looking for." Mount Fuji had four starts in Sydney, running ninth in the Inglis Millennium at his first start, then coming back as a 3YO to run second and fourth in the city, before spelling. At his most recent start, he ran third at Kensington in July. Mount Fuji is the third foal of Gr2 winner Ichihara, who is a full sister to stakes winners Isurava and Au Chocolat.