 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Track work signals peak condition Forever Young is primed for a compelling year-end challenge in the Gr.1 Tokyo Daishoten at Oi Racecourse, having shown impressive form in recent track work. The Yoshito Yahagi-trained colt, owned by Susumu Fujita, has been clocking encouraging times, including a six-furlong breeze in 1:20 4/5 under Ryusei Sakai on Ritto's woodchip surface.
Champions gather for prestigious dirt contest The US$1.07 million contest has drawn an exceptional field, featuring the returning champion Ushba Tesoro, seeking an unprecedented hat-trick in the race. Previous winners of this prestigious event include Stay Gold (2001), who later claimed the Dubai Sheema Classic, and Gold Dream (2017), who went on to capture the February Stakes.
Following his creditable third in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar, Forever Young enjoyed a recuperative spell at Northern Farm's Shigaraki Branch before resuming serious work at Ritto Training Center on December 7. Yahagi has outlined ambitious plans for his charge, targeting the Gr.1 Saudi Cup and Gr.1 Dubai World Cup in early 2024.
The race features several notable contenders, including Wilson Tesoro, fresh from his JBC Classic triumph and recent second in the Gr.1 Champions Cup, and Derma Sotogake, runner-up in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic. Ramjet, victorious in the Tokyo Derby but absent from recent engagement due to a bruised foot, adds further intrigue to Japan's final Group One contest of 2024.