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| Staff Writer |
The 44th running of the US$3.5 million Gr.1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse this Sunday has attracted a compelling blend of domestic talent and international challengers, with three European raiders seeking to end an 18-year stranglehold by Japanese horses on this prestigious 2,400m contest.
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Ireland's chief hope Auguste Rodin, trained by Aidan O'Brien, brings particular intrigue as the first foreign-based Deep Impact progeny to compete in a Japan Racing Association event. The four-year-old's impressive resume includes six Group One victories, featuring the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby, and notably the 2023 Breeders' Cup Turf.
Most recently, Auguste Rodin narrowly missed securing consecutive wins in the Group One Irish Champions Stakes at Leopardstown, finishing a neck behind Economics, with Japan's Shin Emperor close behind in third. O'Brien attributes his charge's fifth-place finish in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot to ground conditions that, while officially "good to firm," were considerably softer. The trainer expresses optimism about the likely fast ground at Tokyo.
The domestic challenge is led by Do Deuce, who enters the race following a commanding victory in last month's Tenno Sho (Autumn). The 5YO, trained by Yasuo Tomomichi, achieved a significant milestone in that success, becoming just the seventh horse in JRA history to win Group One races in four consecutive years. Yutaka Take, who returns to the saddle, will be hoping to recreate their winning partnership that claimed the 2022 Japanese Derby over this course and distance.
3YO filly Cervinia adds an intriguing dimension to the home team. The daughter of Harbinger arrives with classic credentials, having captured both the Japanese Oaks over this course and distance and more recently the Shuka Sho. Her partnership with Christophe Lemaire, who equals Take's record of four Japan Cup victories, could prove significant. Notably, her Japanese Oaks winning time was marginally faster than this year's Japanese Derby.
The European challenge is further strengthened by French contender Goliath, who arrives with imposing form having claimed the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July. The German-bred gelding's victims that day included Bluestocking, who subsequently won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and Rebel's Romance, who later claimed the Breeders' Cup Turf. A foot abscess prevented a planned start in the Gr.1 Preis von Europa, but he proved his wellbeing with victory in the Gr.2 Prix du Conseil de Paris at Longchamp last month.
Germany's representative Fantastic Moon, winner of this year's Gr.1 Grosser Preis von Baden, completes the European contingent, adding further international depth to the field.
The Japan Cup's illustrious history features victories by some of racing's greatest performers. Almond Eye's 2018 triumph preceded a spectacular international campaign that yielded multiple Group One successes. Gentildonna (2012) achieved the remarkable feat of winning back-to-back renewals, while the last foreign victory came through Alkaased in 2005, who denied Heart's Cry in a pulsating finish.
The home team also includes dual Group One-winning filly Stars on Earth, who returns from an eight-month break. Her previous form includes a third-place finish in last year's renewal behind subsequent international stars Equinox and Liberty Island. Justin Palace, whose consistency at the highest level includes victory in last year's Tenno Sho (Spring) and a creditable fourth in the Dubai Sheema Classic, adds further depth to the Japanese challenge.
Shin Emperor brings progressive form to the table, having achieved consistently strong performances in Group One company. His form line of 2-5-3-3 at the highest level, before a disappointing run in testing conditions in the Arc, suggests he could be ready to break through at this level.
Durezza presents interesting credentials, having captured the Gr.1 Kikuka Sho before finishing fifth behind subsequent Arc winner Bluestocking in the International Stakes at York. His perfect record of two wins from two starts at Tokyo adds to his appeal.
Blow the Horn seeks redemption after a puzzling last-place finish in the Gr.2 Kyoto Daishoten, having previously shown high-class form with placed efforts in two Group One contests earlier this year.
The winning connections stand to gain significantly from the bonus scheme, with an additional US$3 million available on top of the winner's purse for eligible foreign runners who triumph. This incentive adds another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a fascinating renewal of one of global racing's most prestigious contests.
The race, which has evolved from its origins as an international invitational to become a showcase for Japan's racing prowess, could this year see the pendulum swing back towards the foreign challengers. The quality of the European contingent, combined with their recent form against some of the world's best horses, suggests this could be the year when the substantial prize money heads overseas.