2015 Champions Cup (G1) – Nominated Horse Ratings

* Notes and Abbreviations
1. Weight: 1 pound = approximately 0.453 kg
2. Rating: Please add four pounds to the ratings because of weight allowances for fillies and mares, when comparing the ratings of fillies and mares to the ratings of colts, horses and geldings.
3. Abbreviations:
Gender and Sex:
   C = Colt (2-4 Y/O), H = Horse (5 Y/O & UP), G = Gelding, F = Filly (2-4 Y/O), M = Mare (5 Y/O & UP)
Category (Distance):
   S = Sprint (1,000m – 1,300m), S = Sprint (USA) (1,000m – 1,599m), M = Mile (1,301m – 1,899m), M = Mile (USA) (1,600m – 1,899m),
   I = Intermediate (1,900m – 2,100m), L = Long (2,101m – 2,700m), E = Extended (2,701m – ), (D) = Dirt race, (T) = Turf race, (A) = Artificial Surface

Training Report of Foreign Entry Japan Autumn International The 16th Running of the Champions Cup (G1)

December 1, 2015 (Tuesday)

The following horse entered in the 16th Champions Cup was transported to the Chukyo Racecourse, leaving the Horse Racing School quarantine facilities in Shiroi at 11:00 and arriving at the international stables at 16:40 yesterday.

<At Chukyo Racecourse>

Weather: Fine
Going: Standard (dirt course)

Gun Pit (AUS, G5, bay)

- walked 200m, jogged 1,200m, cantered 2,400m, walked 800m (dirt course)
(exercised from 6:41 to 7:02, ridden by Danny Suen)

“It took almost six hours from Shiroi to Chukyo, so we did a lighter exercise than usual—trotted one lap and cantered one and a half laps.
He’s eating well and everything’s good after yesterday’s transportation.
This is his first overseas trip but he seems to like Japan and is in good condition.
We plan to do two laps of canter tomorrow.
We did some hard work yesterday and I have to ask the trainer if we’ll be doing some more before the race.

His weight is the same as when he was in Hong Kong.”

 (comments taken from Danny Suen)

The 16th Champions Cup – Japan Autumn International – Handicapper’s Report on the Japanese Contenders

The Champions Cup (G1, dirt, 1,800m), formally the Japan Cup Dirt, was first established in 2000 as the counterpart of the Japan Cup (turf) race and initially held on the left-handed course at Tokyo Racecourse for seven of its first eight years while temporarily held once at Nakayama’s right-handed course during that time. It was then transferred to Hanshin Racecourse where it was held over six runnings on its right-handed course.

The dirt G1, currently held over the left-handed track at Chukyo Racecourse since last year, will be participated by Gun Pit (AUS, G5, by Dubawi) from Hong Kong. Although a winner of seven races on all-weather surface in as many starts, the dirt surface will be totally new to the Dubawi gelding who will face a tough field of top dirt runners that include proven G1 winners, Hokko Tarumae, Copano Rickey and up-and-coming three-year-old, Nonkono Yume.

Here are those considered as the key runners among the Japanese field this year.

Hokko Tarumae

Hokko Tarumae (JPN, H6, by King Kamehameha; 116I) tops the Japanese field with a career record of nine G1 wins and is also the winner of the inaugural running of the Champions Cup. He capped off the 2014 season with a dominating victory in the Tokyo Daishoten (G1, dirt, 2,000m) which placed him above Copano Rickey with 119lb. as the leading dirt runner in Japan’s Thoroughbred Rankings.

The JRA’s Best Dirt Horse of 2014 kicked off his new season with another G1 win in the Kawasaki Kinen (dirt, 2,100m) and turned in a fifth-place finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1, dirt, 2,000m)—a big improvement from his heavy defeat in the race last year—in March before scoring another G1 victory in the Teio Sho (dirt, 2,000m) in his first start after returning to Japan. His only defeat within Japan since his Champions Cup victory was when he finished third in his first start coming off his summer break in the JBC Classic (dirt, 2,000m) and hopes are high on his improving on that to claim his consecutive title in the coming dirt G1. His rating is as of his win in the Teio Sho.

Copano Rickey

Copano Rickey (JPN, H5, by Gold Allure; 118I) follows Hokko Tarumae with five G1 wins. He has won three out of four starts this year including two G1 victories. His only defeat was in the Nippon TV Hai (dirt, 1,800m), his first start coming off a long break, in which he made pace but was unable to put in a breather and was used up in the closing stages, finishing third. He then scored an easy win against Hokko Tarumae and the rest of the field in his latest start, the JBC Classic.

Although he missed his break and turned in an uncharacteristic 12th-place finish in last year’s edition of the Champions Cup, the Gold Allure five-year-old is known as a consistent runner with a quick jump from the starting gate to secure good position as well as an impressive change of gear when challenged. His rating is as of his victory in the JBC Classic.

Nonkono Yume

Nonkono Yume (JPN, C3, by Twining; 114M) is inarguably the top three-year-old dirt runner with multiple grade-race victories in the Unicorn Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,600m), the Japan Dirt Derby (dirt, 2,000m) and another victory in his first test against older dirt runners in the Musashino Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,600m). In his latest victory, coming off a four-month break and carrying 58 kilos, he won convincingly, registering the fastest finish by more than a second to his nearest fast finisher, covering the last three furlongs in 35.2 seconds, and though the quality of the field was not particularly high, he certainly showed dominance in this race.

While it may be too much to ask to outrun the aforementioned G1 winners who have powerful speed to dispute the front, the Twining colt has good speed that has marked the fastest finish in all of his starts. All three of his grade-race wins were achieved from being sent to post second choice, so his chances of accomplishing the unexpected are high. His rating is as of his victory in the Musashino Stakes.

Sound True (JPN, G5, by French Deputy; 113I) has shown great progress in his five-year-old season, landing his first victory at open-class level in the July Stakes (listed, dirt, 1,800m) followed by his first grade-race win in the Nippon TV Hai. While the achievement was in part due to the early leaders that disputed the lead having used up much of their energy, he showed impressive effort in pinning down Copano Rickey in the closing stages for the win.

In the following JBC Classic, which was run at a moderate pace, the French Deputy gelding validated his Nippon TV Hai victory by registering the fastest finish and outrunning Hokko Tarumae for second place. He has proved competitive in his rally against the top two dirt runners in his last two starts and has an equal chance along with Nonkono Yume to outrun the two again if the race is to unfold to his advantage, allowing him to make use of his powerful finishing speed. His rating is as of his runner-up effort in the JBC Classic.

Roman Legend

Roman Legend (JPN, H7, by Special Week; 112M-I), who claimed a G1 victory as a four-year-old and finished just 0.2 seconds behind Hokko Tarumae when third in last year’s Champions Cup, has not been at his best recently.He has yet to score a win this year while still proving competitive in finishing a close third—a head and a neck—behind Roi Jardin (JPN, C4, by King Kamehameha) in the Miyako Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,800m), staying well after positioned up front behind a fast early pace that worked to the advantage for the late chargers.

Considering the fact that the winner carried 2 kilos less and had a ground saving trip, Roman Legend’s performance could be rated higher quality-wise. His four grade-race victories have all been won by small margins, indicating his strength when challenged, so a duel at the finish should be a welcomed situation. His rating is as of his fifth-place finish in the February Stakes (G1, dirt, 1,600m).

Sambista

Sambista (JPN, M6, by Suzuka Mambo; 108M), the top female runner in the dirt category, is a winner of five grade-race titles limited to fillies and mares including last year’s JBC Ladies’ Classic (dirt, 1,800m). She has also proved competitive against male rivals, having bested the come-from-behind runners in her fourth-place effort in the 2014 Champions Cup. She did not disgrace herself in her seventh-place finish in this year’s February Stakes, crossing the wire just 0.4 seconds behind the winner. While she has difficulties in securing good positions among a mixed field, she never fails to show a strong finish, so if she can sit a little more in front early, she could hope for an improvement this year. Her rating is as of her win in the Ladies’ Prelude (dirt, 1,800m).

Corin Berry

Corin Berry (JPN, F4, by South Vigorous; 108S) has been impressive this year, registering 3-1-1 out against male oppositions at distances between 1,200 and 1,400 meters including her latest G1 victory in the JBC Sprint (dirt, 1,200m). She has outstanding speed to hit the front and dictate the pace in 1,200-meter races, and as long as she doesn’t miss her break like she did in the February Stakes, a slow pace in the coming G1 is improbable. While 1,800 meters is a leap in distance for the sprinter, she has lasting speed and so, if she is able to have an easy energy saving early lead, she could well be among the top finishers. In any case, the probable pace-setter holds the key as to how this year’s dirt G1 is to unfold. Her rating is as of her win in the JBC Sprint.

2015 Champions Cup (G1) – Preview

The first weekend of December has excitement in store as racing returns to Nagoya’s Chukyo Racecourse for the first time since July. With it comes top-level international action – the G1 Champions Cup.

The Champions Cup, this year on Sunday, Dec. 6, is one of only two G1 events staged at Chukyo and one of only two top-level Japan Racing Association-hosted races run over dirt. The 1,800-meter race brings together top jockeys and top dirt runners from not only the JRA’s training centers, but from the municipal-government-run tracks throughout Japan, as well as from overseas. Runners that have won selected races in the U.S. and Dubai are also eligible for a bonus of up to 50 million yen.

The Champions Cup sees one foreign raider in the lineup this year, a 5-year-old gelding from Hong Kong named Gun Pit. He will be competing amid a full gate of 16 horses for a shot at a share of the total purse of over 196 million yen and 94 million yen to the winner.

The anticipation this year centers on 2014 champion Hokko Tarumae and the question of whether he can make it two in a row. Last year he improved dramatically from his fourth-place run in the JBC Classic to nab the Champions Cup and then continued his roll with victory in the Tokyo Daishoten and the Kawasaki Kinen. He then took flight for a run in the Dubai World Cup and crossed the finish line an admirable fifth. Back home he returned to the winner’s circle in topping the field of the Teio Sho, then ran third in this year’s JBC Classic Nov. 3 at Ohi Racecourse behind Copano Rickey. If Hokko Tarumae can roll like last year, the now 6-year-old may be back in form for the Champions Cup with the sharpener. Trainer Katsuichi Nishiura says, “In the JBC Classic, he was returning to the track from a layoff, but he had gotten a lot of work and was in good shape. But maybe his responses weren’t as sharp as they could be. I think he needs a little help after all and that last run should have done him good.”

Last time out, the 5-year-old Copano Rickey landed his second JBC Classic in a row going wire to wire once again. Last year’s Champions Cup saw the son of Gold Allure miss the break and unable to give it his all but he’s a proven consistent runner and Copano Rickey should prove a fine and formidable rival for Hokko Tarumae if he jumps well and, as trainer Akira Murayama explains, doesn’t get sand in his face. “He went to the top of the pack last race and it was good he could run his own race. It’s no good if he gets any kickback and if he can jump well and take the lead he should surely be able to give us a good race this time too.”

Hot on the heels of Hokko Tarumae and Copano Rickey in the JBC Classic was eventual runnerup Sound True, who was just off a win of the Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi. In the JBC Classic he turned in the fastest time of the field over the final three furlongs. Into the straight in sixth position, he rocketed toward home and passedHokko Tarumae but wasn’t able to catch Copano Rickey. Trainer Noboru Takagi says, “Copano Rickey had an advantageous trip in the JBC Classic, but Sound Truereally accelerated well to make second. Ideally, he’ll be able to get a more forward position and make his move from there this time. The Chukyo dirt tends to favor the frontrunners, so that’s a concern.”

Nonkono Yume is a 3-year-old colt that is on a four-race winning streak and has, in nine starts, finished only one race any further down the board than the top three spots. His powerful late kick has brought him down the straight and home a winner in three top-level races in a row — the G3 Unicorn Stakes and the Listed Japan Dirt Derby with other 3-year-olds, and the G3 Tokyo Chunichi Sports Hai Musashino Stakes up against older horses. With that rotation he looks set for another big victory. Last time out he was asked to shoulder 58 kg but this time he’ll have the advantage of carrying only 56 kg and likely will have Frenchman Christophe Lemaire in the saddle. It’ll be his first G1 and trainer Yukihiro Kato is upbeat, saying, “This time he’ll be up against top-level older horses. I’m looking forward to seeing just how well he can do.”

Others to watch are Roi Jardin, just off victory in the G3 Miyako Stakes. His tenacious advance up the inside in the sloppy stretch was the stuff of goosebumps. But his trainer Hirofumi Toda is making no boastful claims. “He had the weight advantage and he got a nice ground-saving trip. This time out the competition will be stronger. Still, he came out of that race well despite having run his heart out in the muck.” It’ll be his third race after a layoff and Toda’s hoping for a charm.

Last year’s second and third-place finishers are also back. Namura Victor ran second in 2014 and has had no wins since, but he has notched two races in the money in his four starts this year. Roman Legend was overtaken by Namura Victor last year in the final strides and is back for revenge. Third in the Miyako Stakes in his last race he hasn’t had a win since July of last year, but he’s still raring to go at the age of seven. Assistant trainer Nobuyuki Tashiro has his heart set on a G1 title for Roman Legend.“He was only 0.2 seconds off the winner in this race last year. And one thing he’s got going for him is his stubbornness. He holds his ground well.”

The Champions Cup will be the 11th race on the Sunday, Dec. 6 card of 12 at Chukyo. Post time is set for 3:30 p.m.

Source (comments): Keiba Book