I returned from Japan earlier this week and I have to say that this year’s Japan Cup was as exciting as ever. As I predicted before the race, the Japanese horses proved very difficult to beat on their home turf, helped by the strong pace and fast ground that made life even tougher for the overseas runners. Therefore, when we saw Red Cadeaux finish 8th as the best performing overseas contender in the race, his performance might in fact be better than what we read on paper.
For Arc runner-up Orfevre, the star runner and the event’s focal point, it was another tough luck story. Although this time he did finish ahead of Arc winner Solemia, he was defeated by another filly Gentildonna in a photo finish. Despite receiving nine pounds from Orfevre, Gentildonna showed great promise in victory and I expect she will be a formidable challenger should she appear on European racetracks and contest in major race events there next year.
With Rulership finishing third, runners from the Yoshida family-operated syndicate Sunday Racing secured a one-two-three finish in the race. That’s a tough feat to achieve when you consider that the race is one of the top middle distance contests in the world. This indicates just how influential the Yoshida family is in Japanese racing, and the result is some reward for the substantial investments they have made in the industry in Japan, and their enormous contributions to the development of Japanese racing over the years.
I’m certain our Hong Kong racing fans are happy to hear that one of our jockeys earned his own significant slice of success on Japan Cup day, as Zac Purton won this year’s World Super Jockeys Series, becoming the second Hong Kong representative – following Douglas Whyte in 2004 as a dead-heat winner – to win this JRA jockeys’ series. It’s been a rewarding year for Zac as this Japan success goes alongside his victory in the UK in June, when he triumphed on Little Bridge in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. He’s also vying for the lead in our season-long jockeys’ championship. I believe the victory in Japan will further enhance his confidence and let’s see if he can continue his good form and have his name etched on the winning trophy when the four-race LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship is held at Happy Valley next Wednesday on 5 December.
Before his appearance in our own international jockeys’ event, I believe racing fans will do well to pay extra attention to this in-form jockey in upcoming races, including his six mounts and the chance to win the Jockey Challenge at Happy Valley tonight.
Among the eight races on tonight’s card, the Japan Racing Association Trophy is a symbol of the strategic relationship between the JRA and HKJC who both working closely together for the further development and the well-being of global racing industry, with a special focus on Asia. During my visit to Tokyo last Sunday, I had the chance to discuss with my Japanese friends from the JRA who again reiterated the importance of this close tie and how much we appreciate our cooperation!
The race itself is a competitive Class 3 event over 1200m and with today’s C+3 course, it should give horses in the front an advantage because it is more difficult to make up ground. The pace is likely to be good or a bit slow, with newcomer Brilliant Proposal from Gate 10, who has shown good speed both at the overseas and in his trials, to take the lead. Gamekeepers can either share the lead from Gate 2 or take the box seat on the inside of Cape Canaveral, with Genuine Leader out of Gate 4 sitting behind him in midfield. Green Zone out of gate 11 will have to go back which will negatively impact his chances.
Turf Magic from Gate 1 is expected to be in the back of the field which seems to be a disadvantage and will be hitting the line with purpose. He will find it hard to catch the leaders but is a place chance with his ability to handle good and yielding ground. Having said that, he needs some luck in the run. Gamekeepers, Cape Canaveral and Genuine Leader are working very well. With his last strong showing, Genuine Leader is currently the race favourite, but his two main contenders are of better value, especially Gamekeepers who has a much better draw than last time. Victory General will start from Gate 12 and going up in class won’t be an easy task for him. But with his current form, I would not rule him out for a place!
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