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| Staff Writer |
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Three top-class European raiders are mounting a serious challenge to end the domestic stranglehold on the £7million Gr.1 Japan Cup at Tokyo on November 24, with dual classic winner Auguste Rodin spearheading the assault for master trainer Aidan O'Brien.
The Ballydoyle handler, seeking a first victory in this prestigious contest, sends his Deep Impact colt for a career finale before retirement to stud. The last overseas victor was Alkaased in 2005, when providing Frankie Dettori and Luca Cumani with a memorable nose victory over Heart's Cry.
Adding further international firepower is the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Goliath, who announced himself on the global stage when lowering the colours of subsequent Arc heroine Blue Stocking in the Gr.1 King George at Ascot in July.
German Derby hero Fantastic Moon completes the powerful overseas contingent, arriving fresh from his triumph in the Gr.1 Grosser Preis von Baden for connections.
The race, inaugurated in 1981 as Japan's first international contest, has a rich history of foreign success with past winners including legendary performers Stanerra (1983), Jupiter Island (1986), Le Glorieux (1987), and Pilsudski (1997).
All three challengers touched down at Tokyo Racecourse on November 14, bidding to end an 18-year dominance by the home team. Recent renewals have seen minimal overseas participation, with 2019 notably staging the first Japan Cup without any foreign runners.
"The Japan Cup is one of the few major prizes missing from our collection," O'Brien said. "Auguste Rodin has the right profile to give us a strong chance of putting that right."