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| Staff Writer |
Do Deuce is storming to legendary status in Japan after clinching an extraordinary last-to-first victory in the Gr.1 Japan Cup at Tokyo, marking his fifth top-level success under the masterful guidance of veteran jockey Yutaka Take.
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The son of Heart's Cry, trained by Yasuo Tomomichi, is adding this prestigious trophy to an already glittering collection that includes the Gr.1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, Gr.1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), Gr.1 Arima Kinen, and most recently, the Gr.1 Tenno Sho (Autumn). This victory marks Tomomichi's second Japan Cup triumph, following Cheval Grand's success in 2017, while Take is extending his record to an unprecedented fifth Japan Cup victory.
In a slowly run affair, Shin Emperor initially showed the way before Durezza took command of the 14-strong field. Do Deuce, breaking from stall three, was settled at the rear by Take, who orchestrated a perfectly-timed challenge. Making steady progress around the outside of the field turning for home, Do Deuce unleashed a devastating turn of foot to surge past his rivals, ultimately prevailing by a neck over Shin Emperor and Durezza, who dead-heated for second.
The foreign contingent was led home by Goliath, who finished sixth after a ground-saving trip under Christophe Soumillon. Auguste Rodin, representing Aidan O'Brien, could only manage eighth, while German raider Fantastic Moon finished 11th after failing to cope with the slow early gallop.
Previous Japan Cup heroes include some of Japan's finest thoroughbreds, with Take's previous winners including Deep Impact (2006), Special Week (1999), Rose Kingdom (2010), and Kitasan Black (2016), all achieving remarkable success on the international stage.
Trainer Tomomichi said: "As was the case before his victory in the last Tenno Sho (Autumn), he was extremely calm, even more so that last time, throughout when he was in the saddling area, the paddock and then the post parade, so I was very optimistic today.
“The race itself unfolded with no one wanting to set a solid pace, as expected to a certain extent but resulting in a very slow pace, around 62 seconds in the first 1,000 meters. Take seemed to struggle to settle him down, so I was a bit worried watching him go along the backstretch. In contrast to how the race went in the Tenno Sho, Do Deuce ended up having to lead much earlier at the stretch this time and having to fend off challenges from behind and sustain his lead to wire, so I had to hold my breath until the very end.
“This horse gets better with every start—I had thought that his last start was very much his best performance, but he even exceeded that in the Japan Cup—so if his condition allows for another start, I hope that he is able to show his very best in his final Arima Kinen."
Take reflected on the victory: "The positioning during the race went as planned. It was expected, but the pace was extremely slow, and I had to struggle keeping him in hand. In the first half a mile, if the pace was to quicken more, then I was planning to stay back but it didn't, so I let him gradually make headway along the outside, not so much as to quicken and close the gap, but to release the reins a little bit. Making ground from the last corner, his speed was so great that he was already in front in an instant and after that a normal horse would be worn out and pinned down, but this horse is exceptional and while I wasn't sure that I'd won until the end, I kept believing he would stay, and he did."
With retirement looming after the upcoming Arima Kinen, Do Deuce has cemented his place among Japan's racing elite with this magnificent performance in one of the world's most prestigious races.