Exclusive Topics for JAPAN AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL 2014 – 1st Edition -

Welcome back to our annual series of newsletters leading up to the 2014 Japan Cup (G1, 2,400m). The fall racing season is working towards the Japan Autumn International Series, which is held over four weekends and consists of four prestigious G1 races—the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, 2,200m), the Mile Championship (G1, 1,600m), the Japan Cup and the Champions Cup (G1, dirt, 1,800m), formally the “Japan Cup Dirt” until last year. Also this year, the annual World Super Jockeys Series will take place in Tokyo during the Japan Cup weekend. The total prize money of the four G1 events amounts to ¥1,113,520,000 (about US$11,135,000), with additional bonuses for winners of the year’s designated overseas G1 events that finish within third place in each race of the series.

Three Entries from Japan to Challenge 2014 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

In September, which marked the JRA’s 60th anniversary, attention focused on the progress of Japanese runners slated to challenge for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe title, which has been a growing topic of interest in recent years. Following a second by Nakayama Festa (JPN, by Stay Gold) in 2010, Orfevre (JPN, by Stay Gold) turned in consecutive runner-up efforts in the past two years, making it three out of four years in which Japanese runners have proved competitive at the highest level in Europe. Expectations are high for a Japanese runner to take home the country’s first Arc title in the near future. Orfevre has retired to stud and Kizuna (JPN, C4, by Deep Impact), who finished fourth last year, will not return for a second challenge due to a leg injury that will keep him out of racing until sometime next season. Nevertheless, Japan has high hopes for its three very strong candidates to start in the French G1 on October 5.

 

Just a Way (JPN, H5, by Heart’s Cry) is receiving the most attention, both in Japan and abroad, as the highest-ranked thoroughbred in the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings rated 130lb. The five-year-old, a late-developer like his sire, began his rapid road to stardom in the fall of last year by beating 2012 Horse of the Year winner Gentildonna by an overwhelming four lengths for his first G1 title in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1, 2,000m).Gentildonna subsequently landed her second consecutive Japan Cup victory in her following start while Just a Way concluded his four-year-old campaign with the win.

Returning for his five-year-old season in March, the son of Heart’s Cry (JPN, by Sunday Silence) marked an easy 3-1/2-length win in the Nakayama Kinen (G2, 1,800m). Traveling to Dubai for the Dubai Duty Free (G1, 1,800m), he gave another stunning performance in front of international spectators, renewing the course record with 1:45.52. The rest of the field of top international rivals trailed far behind, headed by runner-up Vercingetorix (SAF, H5, by Silvano) who was 6-1/4 lengths back. Back in Japan, he then extended his winning streak to four, three at G1 level, claiming the Yasuda Kinen (G1, 1,600m) over extremely testing turf in June.

Still ranked on top of the world rankings six months after his spectacular victory in Dubai, Just a Way will no doubt be well backed for the coming G1 at Longchamp. But he comes with a drawback. The big overseas challenge will be his first start after a four-month break and his first race over 2,400 meters since the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1, 2,400m) as a three-year-old. His sire raced mostly at this distance, but Just a Way is clearly best between 1,600 and 1,800 meters, which may raise concern, along with his fitness coming off a long break and ability to overcome an unfamiliar surface.

 

Just a Way‘s trainer, Naosuke Sugai, will also seek his Arc chances with a second challenger, Gold Ship (JPN, H5, by Stay Gold), who captured his fifth G1 title in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1, 2,200m) in late June. Despite an impressive number of accomplishments, he is often underrated due to his failure to perform over quick ground at Tokyo and Kyoto. His Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1, 3,000m) triumph was against a below-average field of three-year-olds and his four other G1 victories were at Nakayama and Hanshin under limited track conditions that produced slower times. This could be a reason why his connections will test him in Europe. Sharing the same sire as Orfevre is another one of his favorable factors. He raced on August 24 in the Sapporo Kinen (G2, 2,000m) against this year’s third Arc starter, Harp Star, and responded well while succumbing to second, carrying five kilos more than the Deep Impact (JPN, by Sunday Silence) filly. However, his come-from-behind racing may not be enough to reach the front, especially having to carry more weight again in the Arc.

On the other hand, Harp Star (JPN, F3, by Deep Impact) hopes to make most of the lighter burden to emulate 2011 Arc winner Danedream (GER, by Lomitas), then three-year-old, who took full advantage of her weight allowance to fly home in record time.

 

Harp Star‘s possible start in this year’s Arc was still on hold in the beginning of her three-year-old season, when she had yet to capture a G1 victory. Undefeated in two starts and already a grade-race winner in her second start, the Niigata Nisai Stakes (G3, 1,600m), Harp Star was race favorite for the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1, 1,600m) but missed her G1 chance as a two-year-old by a nose. Having won the Tulip Sho (G3, 1,600m) and the first leg of the Fillies’ Triple Crown, the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, G1, 1,600m), she carried much hope for a second crown in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1, 2,400m) but was unable to exert her usual late charge. Pulling up with a loose shoe, she finished second by a neck to Nuovo Record.

The filly was given a three-month break prior, then in the Sapporo Kinen she launched an early move and held off Gold Ship‘s strong charge, marking another grade-race victory and giving her connections every reason to challenge the Arc this year. This follows the recent trend of three-year-old fillies accomplishing favorable results with a 5kg advantage against older male rivals, most recently last year when Treve (FR, F4, by Motivator) easily held off Orfevre. But it is still a question if the filly, best known for explosive speed over fast goings, can handle Longchamp’s testing surface.

Gentildonna Aims for Third Consecutive Japan Cup Title

 

 

It is still unclear if the three Arc challengers also will run in this year’s Japan Cup on November 30th. Last year, the two Japanese thoroughbreds that ran in the French G1 opted to pass up the JRA’s invitational G1. However, chances that they will run this year could be higher because there will be eight weeks for recovery between the two events. Meanwhile, Gentildonna and Fenomeno, the latter having claimed his second consecutive victory in the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1, 3,200m) this year, remain the two main entries of focus for the 2014 Japan Cup.

Gentildonna (JPN, M5, by Deep Impact), who will retire this season, was defeated to sixth in her kick-off start, the Kyoto Kinen (G2, 2,200m) in February. She then successfully claimed her first G1 title abroad in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, 2,410m), despite struggling to find space at the stretch. In her comeback start, the Takarazuka Kinen, she was unable to handle the testing surface and was heavily defeated to ninth. It is hoped she will return in good form for her final fall campaign, beginning with the Tenno Sho (Autumn) on November 2. Although her main target will be to capture a third Japan Cup title, her connections have expressed the possibility of her running in the year-end Arima Kinen (G1, 2,500m) on December 28, depending on her physical state.

 

 

Fenomeno (JPN, H5, by Stay Gold) missed the entire fall season last year due to unsoundness in his left foreleg. He made his comeback in March this year, finishing fifth in the Nikkei Sho (G2, 2,500m), but bounced back in the following Tenno Sho (Spring) and successfully defended his title. Another talented progeny of Stay Gold (JPN, by Sunday Silence), Fenomeno differs from Gold Ship in that he is extremely effective over fast ground, especially at Tokyo and Kyoto. For this reason, he passed up this year’s Takarazuka Kinen to concentrate on preparing for the fall meeting at Tokyo, including the Tenno Sho (Autumn), the Japan Cup and hopefully the Arima Kinen.

Last year’s Japan Cup runner-up Denim and Ruby (JPN, F4, by Deep Impact) failed to 10th in her overseas challenge in March, the Dubai Sheema Classic. She continued to struggle after her return to Japan, finishing seventh and fifth in the Victoria Mile (G1, 1,600m) and the Takarazuka Kinen, respectively. Health problems also arose in her digestive system, which ruled out traveling to France for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Currently, however, she is back in training towards the Tenno Sho (Autumn), prior to her second Japan Cup challenge. Last year’s third-place finisher, Tosen Jordan (JPN, H8, by Jungle Pocket), also will begin his fall campaign in the Tenno Sho (Autumn). Fourth place Admire Rakti (JPN, H6, by Heart’s Cry) is currently in Australia to run in the Caulfield Cup (G1, 2,400m) on October 18, then the Melbourne Cup (G1, 3,200m) on November 4.

Denim and Ruby in the 2013 Flora Stakes

Tosen Jordan in the 2011 Tenno Sho (Autumn)

Admire Rakti in the 2013 Diamond Stakes

 

 

Epiphaneia (JPN, C4, by Symboli Kris S) claimed the final leg of the Three-Year-Old Triple Crown, the Kikuka Sho, after succumbing to second in the first two legs last season. He is another strong candidate for the 2014 Japan Cup, as well as the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the Arima Kinen. Although winless this year, he finished third by about 1-3/4 length to Kizuna in the Sankei Osaka Hai (G2, 2,000m) and fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, 2,000m) in Hong Kong. As of yet, however, he has not proven his ability against the likes of Gentildonna and Fenomeno.

Dirt G1 Renewed Under New Name Over Left-Handed Track

 

Known as the Japan Cup Dirt until last year, the dirt G1 event began as a 2,100-meter race over the left-handed track at Tokyo in 2000 before moving to the right-handed Hanshin Racecourse over a reduced distance of 1,800 meters in 2008. Now it has been transferred once again, this time to Chukyo Racecourse. While the distance remains the same, the change in direction is hoped to attract more participation from abroad, especially the US where a majority of races are held on dirt and all are run anticlockwise. Last year’s winner Belshazzar (JPN, by King Kamehameha) was diagnosed with a career-ending tendon injury to his right hind leg after finishing 11th in this year’s Dubai World Cup (G1, AW, 2,000m). He was retired for stud service.

 

Hokko Tarumae (JPN, H5, by King Kamehameha) was sent to post race favorite for the 2013 Japan Cup Dirt, boasting three G1 titles in NAR (National Association of Racing; local public racing) events under his belt, but he idled once he took the front at the stretch and was overtaken in the last strides for third place. He bounced back to add two more NAR G1 titles prior to his overseas challenge this year in the Dubai World Cup, but was heavily defeated to 16th and had to be treated for stress-induced colitis before flying back to Japan. His connections hope to have him back in training in time for the JBC Classic (dirt, 2,000m) on November 3 prior to his fourth JRA G1 challenge.

 

Wonder Acute (JPN, H8, by Charismatic), who turned in three consecutive runner-up efforts in the Japan Cup Dirt between 2011 and 2013, was known as a perennial runner-up after registering seven seconds and five third-place finishes out of 15 dirt G1 starts since 2011. However, still going strongly into his eight-year-old season, the son of Charismatic (USA, by Summer Squall) landed his first G1 victory since the 2012 JBC Classic and second overall by claiming the Teio Sho (dirt, 2,000m) in June.

 

Copano Rickey (JPN, C4, by Gold Allure) stepped forward this year to list his name among the star dirt G1 horses, having registered two wins and a second out of as many starts since his G1 debut in February. Sent to post a 16th-choice longshot in the February Stakes (G1, dirt, 1,600m) against a highly regarded field, which included the top three finishers of the 2013 Japan Cup Dirt, the Gold Allure colt chased the pacesetter, moved ahead and then held off his powerful rivals for an upset. He proved to be no fluke, following up with a victory in the Kashiwa Kinen (dirt, 1,600m) in May and a runner-up effort by two lengths to Wonder Acute in his first test over 2,000 meters in the Teio Sho. Further improvement can be expected in the four-year-old’s fall campaign, which will begin with the JBC Classic and onto the Champions Cup.

 

Other front finishers of the 2013 Japan Cup include fourth-place Brightline (JPN, H5, by Fuji Kiseki), who finished fifth in both the February Stakes and the Godolphin Mile (G2, AW, 1,600m) early this season. His form dropped after returning from Dubai, when he finished 10th in the Elm Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,700m) in late July. He is hoped to bounce back in his fall debut, the Miyako Stakes (G3, 1,800m) on November 9, which he won last year.

 

The 2012 Japan Cup Dirt winner Nihonpiro Ours (JPN, H7, by White Muzzle) was unable to defend his title last year and finished fifth, but he has been consistent this year. He kicked off this spring with wins in the Tokai Stakes (G2, dirt, 1,800m), held over the same course as the renewed Champions Cup, and then the Diolite Kinen (dirt, 2,400m). He disappointed to eighth in the February Stakes but performed solidly for third and fourth in his remaining two starts before the summer break.

The 2013 February Stakes champion Grape Brandy (JPN, H6, by Manhattan Cafe) and 2013 Japan Dirt Derby (dirt, 2,000m) winner Chrysolite (JPN, C4, by Gold Allure)—who finished 11th and 15th, respectively in the 2013 Japan Cup Dirt—both ran in the Nippon TV Hai (dirt, 1,800m) on September 23, which the latter won by an overwhelming seven lengths while the former finished about nine lengths behind in fifth. The 2012 Tokyo Daishoten (G1, dirt, 2,000m) victor Roman Legend (JPN, H6, by Special Week)—13th in the Japan Cup Dirt last year—won his only start this year in the Elm Stakes and will either head straight to the Champions Cup or pick a suitable step race if necessary.

JRA’s 2013 Best Two-Year-Old Asia Express (USA, C3, Henny Hughes), who claimed the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1, 1,600m) in his turf debut after two career wins on dirt, landed his first grade-race title on dirt in the Leopard Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,800m) on August 10. However, he is unable to continue racing this season, having been diagnosed with a distal radius fracture in his left foreleg.Kazenoko (JPN, C3, by Agnes Digital), winner of this year’s Japan Dirt Derby, will be tested against senior rivals this fall beginning in either the Mile Championship Nambu Hai (dirt, 1,600m) or the Miyako Stakes (G3, 1,800m).

Grape Brandy in the 2013 February Stakes

Roman Legend in the 2014 Elm Stakes

Asia Express in the 2013 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes

 

Fall G1 Season Commences

The opening G1 event of the fall season, the Sprinters Stakes (G1, 1,200m), normally held at Nakayama, which is being renovated, has been shifted temporarily to Niigata Racecourse on October 5. With seven-time G1 winner Lucky Nine (IRE, G7, by Dubawi) of Hong Kong withdrawing entry, the race will be contested by an all-Japanese field. Featured will be this year’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1, 1,200m) winner Copano Richard (JPN, C4, by Daiwa Major), Grand Prix Boss (JPN, H6, by Sakura Bakushin O), who just missed the Yasuda Kinen by a nose to the world’s top-rated Just a Way, and Hana’s Goal (JPN, M5, by Orewa Matteruze), whose last race was in Australia, where she won the All Aged Stakes (G1, 1,400m) in April. Hana’s Goal will make the Sprinter Stakes her only start in Japan this season and then head to Hong Kong for the Jockey Club Mile (G2), Hong Kong Mile (G1) and Stewards’ Cup (G1)—all mile distances.

Copano Richard in the 2014 Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Grand Prix Boss in the 2011 NHK Mile Cup

Hana’s Goal in the 2013 Kyoto Himba Stakes

 

Participants coming off the Summer Sprint Series include Garbo (JPN, H7, Manhattan Cafe) and Toho Amapola (JPN, M5, by Fuji Kiseki), who won the June’s Hakodate Sprint Stakes (G3, 1,200m) and the CBC Sho (G3, 1,200m) in July, respectively. Others include Seiko Raiko (JPN, H7, by Kurofune), Little Gerda (USA, M5, by Closing Argument) and Robe Tissage (JPN, F4, by War Emblem), winners of the Ibis Summer Dash (G3, 1,000m), the Kitakyushu Kinen (G3, 1,200m) and the Keeneland Cup (G3, 1,200m), respectively, in August. Little Gerda also claimed the last event of the series, the Centaur Stakes (G2, 1,200m) on September 14, which gave her enough points to claim the Summer Sprint Series championship, but she sustained an inflammation in her right fore fetlock joint and will not start in the coming G1. The runner-up in the same race was Hakusan Moon (JPN, H5, by Admire Moon) who also finished second in the Sprinters Stakes last year.

Garbo in the 2014 Hakodate Sprint Stakes	Toho Amapola in the 2014 CBC Sho	Seiko Raiko in the 2014 Ibis Summer Dash
Little Gerda in the 2014 Centaur Stakes	Robe Tissage in the 2014 Keeneland Cup	Hakusan Moon in the 2013 Centaur Stakes

 

The next G1 event, taking place two weeks after the Sprinters Stakes, will be the Shuka Sho (G1, 2,000m), which is the third and final leg of the three-year-old Fillies’ Triple Crown. On September 21, the main step race, the Rose Stakes (G2, 1,800m), was won by Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1, 2,400m) winner Nuovo Record (JPN, F3, by Heart’s Cry). The 2013 Best Two-Year-Old Filly, Red Reveur (JPN, F3, by Stay Gold), was in sixth, over five lengths behind the winner. Reve d’Etoiles (JPN, F3, by Zenno Rob Roy), fifth in the Oka Sho, also is coming off a victory in another step race held a week earlier, the Shion Stakes (2,000m), towards the fillies’ G1 event.

Nuovo Record in the 2014 Yushun Himba

Red Reveur in the 2013 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies

Reve d’Etoiles in the 2014 Shion Stakes

 

The final leg of the Three-Year-Old Classic, the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1, 3,000m), will be held a week after the Shuka Sho. Isla Bonita (JPN, C3, by Fuji Kiseki), the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000m) victor and Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1, 2,400m) runner-up, kicked off his fall campaign on September 21 in the St. Lite Kinen (G2, 2,200m) and will pass up the long-distance Kikuka Sho for the Tenno Sho (Autumn), where he will face older G1 rivals.

One and Only (JPN, C3, by Heart’s Cry), who claimed the Derby by 3/4 lengths, gave another solid performance to win the Kobe Shimbun Hai (G2, 2,400m) and appears to be in good form for his second Classic title in the Kikuka Sho. If all goes well, his target for the 2015 season could include the Dubai Sheema Classic and perhaps the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1, 2,400m).